A massive police operation has prevented Saturday's demonstrations in Bendigo from descending into the same ugly scenes that marred other recent anti-Islam rallies and counter demonstrations in Melbourne.
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More than 420 uniformed police officers and riot squad personnel successfully prevented protesters from the United Patriots Front and Rally for Diversity from clashing in downtown Bendigo.
Victoria Police superintendent Mick West said the force was "pretty happy" with the conduct of both groups who descended on the city on Saturday, noting they caused "little disruption".
"We expect people to respect our city and obey the law. Victoria Police are happy with the outcome of today," he said.
Police estimate more than 600 demonstrators, mostly people from outside Bendigo, participated in the demonstrations.
There were four arrests, including two people who were caught carrying knives in a public place and one for "minor" assault. The only two injuries were police officers treated for heat-related illnesses.
Superintendent West said they believed "a very small number" of the protesters were actually Bendigo locals, with the rest coming from elsewhere in Victoria or interstate.
Bendigo mayor Peter Cox praised the police effort and stressed that "a day like today doesn't define Bendigo".
"Once again, we've seen people able to voice their particular thoughts and they were able to do it in a safe environment."
The biggest potential flashpoint came when about 200 anti-racism protesters marched along one of the city's busiest thoroughfares to confront UPF supporters who had gathered in Rosalind Park in the early afternoon.
The United Patriots Front is opposed to the construction of Bendigo's first mosque, which the regional city council approved in August.
The city has become a flashpoint for far-right discontent over a raft of issues, including Australia's immigration policies, fears of terrorism and halal food, and multiculturalism.
The Rally for Diversity demonstration had begun about two hours earlier next to the Bendigo Town Hall, where the crowd heard speeches denouncing the UPF as "Nazis" who were "not welcome" in the city.
"We want to show them they can't intimidate and control Bendigo," one organiser said, as the crowd formed up to march to Rosalind Park. "No hate, no fear. UPF not welcome here," they chanted.
But police intercepted the crowd before it could reach the park's main entrance, redirecting it into a nearby parking lot that kept the two groups separated by the Bendigo Creek and a massive force of police personnel.
The UPF demonstration, which swelled to about 200 participants as the official 2:30pm start time for the rally time approached, responded with jeers at their arrival.
Anti-mosque protesters shouted "Aussie, Aussie, Aussie, Oi Oi Oi" and "No mosque", while pro-diversity demonstrators called for "Nazi Scum off our streets".
The din reached a fever pitch as UPF leader Blair Cottrell took the stage and proclaimed: "You can either be a Muslim or an Australian. You can't be both. It's either or."
As the speeches continued, the organisers of the Rally for Diversity moved their protest back to the Town Hall where it dispersed shortly afterwards.
The decision marked a significant downturn in tensions between the two groups, and police soon after began withdrawing personnel or allowing them to rest on the grass after hours in the sun.