Gladstone Planking!

Do you know about Gladstone Planking?  It's this very silly trend where the worthy citizens of the Queensland town of Gladstone, in Northern Australia, lie flat on their stomachs, rigid as a plank, usually in strange places, and take a photograph to paste on the Gladstone Planking website.  Some of the photographs are hilarious and it's taken off like wildfire, with everyone planking everyplace they can think of.

Well, I'm sad to say the Gladstone police have started arresting "Plankers".  Here's what they say:

“The activity is potentially dangerous, as proponents of the movement try to out-do each other by planking on structures and in precarious positions, putting themselves and others at risk of harm,” Sergeant Russell said.

Offenders caught in these dangerous situations can also be charged with Unauthorised High Risk Activity.

"While we appreciate the activity is light-hearted fun, putting yourself and others at risk and breaking the law will not be tolerated."

Anyone with information which could assist police with their investigations should contact Crime Stoppers anonymously via 1800 333 000 or crimestoppers.com.au 24hrs a day."

Can you believe it? THIS is now considered an arrestable offense:

Forklift plank!

To make something so lighthearted and innocuous into a criminal offense seems to me the worst case of police exceeding their powers I've come across in Queensland ... so ... I think a bit of taunting is in order, don't you?

OK, if the Gladstone police intend to arrest any "Plankers" why don't we all PLANK internationally and see if the Gladstone police try to arrest us!


I'm thinking a "plank" at the Big Buddha will be my contribution.

Are you in for one too?