Successful Whalan Community Member On 'SBS's Struggle Street'!

I have known Wayne from Whalan for just over 5 years ago when he became passionate (like myself) with improvements in public transport within Mount Druitt. Now, he provides his professional  response as the result on the 3 episodes, being watched by a majority of community  members of what SBS claimed was 'Struggle Street':

SBS’s program “Struggle Street” has truly generated a lot of media attention and debate regarding the Mount Druitt area and surrounding suburbs. From my own personal opinion, I felt that overall the documentary was well done and did a good job of high lighting some of the issues that are present in the area, such as mental health, drug abuse (in particular ice), lack of education and, facilities and support for young people are but to name a few. However, I did feel that the “Struggle Street” did unfairly single Mount Druitt and implied that these problems were exclusive to Mount Druitt as the only area in NSW with these problems. The juxtaposition of the intro of comparing sunny beaches and iconic Sydney landmarks, such as the Harbor Bridge, to then suddenly transpose to images of derelict houses, graffiti and people yelling, is very condescending. 

Looking at it from an objective point of view, comparing any suburb to a glamorous beach and an iconic Sydney city view would make any suburban place look pale in comparison. One of my pet peeves of the show was the use of sub titles, I mean, the people on the show do speak English, and I could understand them fine. To me, the use of sub-titles subconscious reinforces the point that, “People from Mount Druitt are from a different planet” mentality. Given that some of the participants on the show having mental illness and issues, and going through testing circumstances (e.g., one of the participants “Bailee” a minor who has experienced sexual assault, drug abuse and self harm), I do question how much consideration was given to their welfare after the show ends. 

Are the shows creators going to provide support for the participants dealing with the attention and potential social media backlash after airing all their personal problems on live TV? Sadly, I don not think that is going to happen, but I do applaud their bravery for going on TV and I do feel genuine sympathy and understanding of some of the issues that they are going through.

I have been a resident of Mount Druitt and the surrounding suburbs all my life, having lived in the area and attended several schools in the area (Whalan Primary, Madang Avenue, Whalan High, Mount Druitt High and Chifley College to name a few). I can offer my opinion of the area, is Mount Druitt really like what “Struggle Street” makes it out to be, the definitive answer is no. Are there good successful people in Mount Druitt? A definite yes. However, we do have social problems here in Mount Druitt, and I think that the program does a good job of highlighting these issues. 

Not only do we get a glimpse of some of the personal struggles of the participants, but also some of the problems faced by social workers and volunteers who do try to make a difference (e.g. lack of funding to name one). It is tempting and easy to say, that it is only an “isolated case”, or a “small minority of people in the area”, and to focus our attention on those who are successful. Never the less, there are still people who do fall in the cracks and get caught up in a vicious cycle of entrenched “social disadvantage” and “drug abuse”. Growing up in the Mount Druitt area, I have seen countless versions and incarnations of the participants depicted on “Struggle Street”. 

From families dealing with a spouse or loved one with drug addiction, dysfunctional families, young kids and teens with no positive role model, lack of youth facilities, people with mental health issues with little or no recourse to support or treatment, and trouble teens seeking to improve themselves and to make something of their lives. I personally applaud “Chris” for his positive outlook on their life and drive to achieve, and his efforts to reconcile with his family.

While no community likes to have their names smeared, or have a negative perception reinforced, “Struggle Street” did bring to our attention the various issues that all communities face and that would never ever receive any air time or discussion, such as mental health, youth unemployment and lack of resources for youth and community services groups. Now the question is, will this generate some action to be taken to address some of the community issues raised in the “Struggle Street” series, such as increasing resources to an already stretched and underfunded community service, youth and support groups, or will the attention be short lived and issues be ignore again?

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