The alleged drunken forklift incident happened on Kooyoo Street. Photo: Griffith City Council.
Griffith has been thrust into the national spotlight once again, ranked sixth this week on the popular satirical social media page “sht towns of Australia” after a man allegedly stole and crashed a forklift before ordering fast food while drunk on Kooyoo Street.
Created by comedians Rick Furphy and Geoff Rissole, the power rankings poke fun at mostly regional locations across the country known for crime, economic disadvantage or quirky behaviour.
Ironically, Griffith made the cut due to the alleged actions of someone from Leeton, which Region reported on in December.
CCTV footage captured the 29-year-old Leeton man allegedly trying to steal a forklift and then crashing into a gate in Griffith.
The man and his friend had been refused entry to a Griffith licensed premises due to their alleged intoxication.
They then walked to Jondaryan Avenue and then down Banna Lane to the rear of the club, where they found a small loading bay protected by a 1.8-metre fence.
A forklift was inside the loading bay. According to police, the 29-year-old climbed the fence and entered the rear loading dock. He allegedly started the forklift, got into it and reversed it.
The man allegedly hit the gate and broke the fence. The forklift continued over the footpath and onto Banna Lane. The two men left the scene, walked back to Jondaryan Avenue, around to Banna Avenue and on to Kooyoo Street, where they bought fast food.
Robyn Turner, who promotes Griffith by running Bella Vita Tours of the town, says the power rankings should be taken in jest.
“People make fun of us, absolutely, but we’ve got all these wonderful cultures here, and because of that, we’ve got all these wonderful restaurants and experiences that you can have here,” she said.
Robyn Turner saw the lighter side of the power ranking and encourages people to visit our town. Photo: Oliver Jacques.
Griffith previously made the sht towns list in 2024, when a local woman allegedly assaulted two females, undressed and fled police in her underwear.
In 2020, the sht town teams wrote an unflattering profile of the town:
“Griffith’s attractions include irrigation channels brimming with broken bottles, syringes and the odd mobster who should have kept his mouth shut; a plethora of pokies; and a lake filled with toxic algae, which has been touted as a cause of the city’s ridiculously high rate of motor neurone disease (seven times the national average). In 2010, Griffith got its first traffic lights. Next on the Grillbillies’ wishlist are flush toilets, the internet and literacy.”
In case you’re wondering, these are the five towns that pipped Griffith for top spot in the Power Rankings:
- Perth, WA – Shit terrorist can’t even make a working bomb.
- Townsville, QLD – Thousands lose mobile and internet services while preparing for cyclone after deadshits steal copper cables.
- Sutherland Shire, NSW – Council bastards deflate disabled boy’s paddling pool at beach after complaint from Karen.
- Sydney, NSW – Senior cops raided after allegedly getting freebies from brothel; ABC Facebook page posts pornstar pics after being hacked.
- Mount Liebig, NT – Stampede of thirsty camels smash down fences and tear taps and air conditioners from walls.
