Les Ross threatens Carenne staff

Owner of Assisted School Travel operator Capebase, Les Ross has contacted staff at Carenne over the weekend complaining about an email sent to operators by Kerry Jackson. Ross told the person that he believed that the email had come from someone at the school or Brian Carter.

The staff member, who was distressed by the call claims that she was threatened by Ross and told that when he finds out who wrote the email that he will go through the whole school until he sorts them out. He threatened that he would make sure that they could never make complaints about him again and would break their neck.

The incident shows that Les Ross believes he is beyond the rules of the system and can do what he likes.

Richard Webster suspended by Carenne Support

Nedkelly has contacted Carenne Gate concerned about the treatment of Carenne Support buds driver Richard Webster. Nedkelly claims that Mr Webster was advised by Dave Graham that he was suspended from duty pending investigation.

Nedkelly claims that Mr Webster is under investigation for being seen with Carenne Support competitor Cheryl Chaplin and his negligent driving charge. She also claims that an unapproved driver was used on the run with no escort even though one is required.

Helen Windsor, who has to approve payments to escorts was told of the arrangement and said she would sign Mark Sealey's form as the department couldn't know there was no escort.

Carenne Support has a history of shady employment practices with Brian Carter and Jenny O'Neill both suing them.

Neil Moon keeps it in the family

The principal of the embattled Carenne Special School has been accused of further nepotism despite staunch criticism about it in the past. Carenne Gate has learned that Moon employed Doug Rowe, husband of teacher's aide Margaret Rowe as a General Assistant to help move furniture at the school.

Carenne Special School has a history of nepotism with Janelle Kemp being related to Laurie Clifford, Lyn Duncan employing her husband Steve Duncan, Anne Baskerville's partner Lee Graham being given work and Brian and Nathan Carter working at the school.

One of the Carenne whistleblowers told Carenne Gate that Neil Moon is too paranoid to employ other people. "Neil is more paranoid this year than ever, he will only employ people who will keep the secrets in the school," said the whistleblower.

It shows that despite the massive issues surrounding Carenne that Neil Moon continues with his stupidity.

Salmon attacked whistleblower because of Kemp and hatho, charges dismissed

Geoffrey Salmon, director of Carenne Support - the organisation at the centre of corruption claims engulfing Carenne Special School had charges dismissed against him on Tuesday in the local court.

Mr Salmon was charged with obstructing traffic and entering a vehicle unlawfully following his attack on whistleblower Brian Carter during a protest against corruption and child abuse at Carenne in December last year.

According to hatho, Mr Salmon admitted to attempting to carjack Mr Carter and assaulting him, but successfully claimed that he was distressed when it happened.

"Geoff said that he left the presentation ceremony to talk to Carter because Janelle and I were scared he might come inside and cause a scene. I was terrified that he would come into B-Mec and start telling people about his views on Carenne, it would have been embarrassing for us." said hatho.

Hatho claimed -

"Geoff was open and honest at court, he said he attacked Carter and tried to stop him driving his van embarrassing the school. He was distressed and wanted Carter to go home. "

"The magistrate dismissed the charges against Geoff because he was distressed because of how Janelle and I were."

Inquiries made by Carenne Gate with the local court registry indicated that Magistrate Jan Stevenson dismissed the charges against Mr Salmon due to extenuating circumstances. The court officer invited us to visit the registry to look over the file if we wanted more details.

Further information will be posted as it becomes known.

Salmon pleads not guilty, matter set down for hearing

The case of Geoff Salmon, director of Carenne Support who is facing the Bathurst Local Court on charges from an alleged incident during a protest in December where he is accused of attacking whistleblower Brian Carter who was driving a protest vehicle will return to court for hearing on 7 September 2010.

Mr Salmon faces charges of entering a vehicle unlawfully and obstructing traffic arising from the alleged attempted carjacking. Mr Salmon's solicitor told the court yesterday that he would be maintaining his plea of not guilty and would defend the charges.

"I leaked Police information to Peter Harvey": Jake Rosenberg

Following the revelation on this blog that Brian Carter's complaint may have been a protected disclosure, long-time Carenne whistleblower, Jake Rosenberg has admitted to leaking information which she was told about Police matters to Peter Harvey. Rosenberg told Carenne Gate "I have done things I should not have done and they are going to have to come out before one of the bitches of Eastwick nail me."

In her confession to Carenne Gate, Jake Rosenberg claims that she told Peter Harvey about information she was given by Simone Russell. Rosenberg states that she was told by Russell that Brian Carter had been charged by police with something, which she told Mr Harvey. She claims that she was then asked by Harvey to get more information so that he could report it to the department's Employee Performance and Conduct unit.

Rosenberg then spoke to Russell who told her she had her husband, a member of NSW Police, Scott check with some friends in Bathurst who told him what Mr Carter had been charged with. Rosenberg said that Lee Churches was bitterly disappointed when Brian Carter was acquitted in court. Rosenberg recalls a conversation with Churches where she said -

"I was sure we had that curly haired poofter there, we will have to make sure we set him up for something else."

Brian Carter's complaint was a protected disclosure

Over the past eighteen months, the NSW Department of Education and Training has refused to acknowledge Brian Carter's complaint about Carenne Special School as a protected disclosure, claiming that he was not an employee at the time of the complaint and therefore he was not entitled to protection.

In a letter obtained by Carenne Gate dated 14 May 2010, Jane Thorpe of the department's Employee Performance and Conduct unit informs Mr Carter that he is an employee as someone who is on the department's casual list and can therefore be investigated by the department. In the letter, Ms Thorpe advises that Mr Carter was an "employee" but not a "public official" as defined by the whistleblower legislation.

Carenne Gate has sought legal advice on Mr Carter's position and has been told that if Mr Carter is an "employee" which may be investigated then he is a "public official" under the whistleblower protection legislation.

We were directed to look at section 4 of the Protected Disclosures Act which says -

"public official" means a person employed under the Public Sector Management Act 1988 , an employee of a State owned corporation, a subsidiary of a State owned corporation or a local government authority or any other individual having public official functions or acting in a public official capacity, whose conduct and activities may be investigated by an investigating authority, and (without limitation and to avoid doubt), includes an individual in the service of the Crown or of a public authority, a member of the Police Service, a PIC officer or a PICI officer.

Under this definition Mr Carter would have been protected at the time of his complaint and therefore he is entitled to protection under whistleblower protection laws. This can't be taken away from him just because the NSW Department of Education and Training wishes it to.

Christine Porter identified as being part of ICAC investigation in court

I made a trip across the mountains to Bathurst today where I sat in the back of the Local Court there to report on an Apprehended Personal Violence Order listing initiated by Carenne Support CEO Christine Porter against whistleblower Brian Carter before magistrate Jan Stevenson.

After hearing some of the other cases and noting the difference between proceedings in Sydney and Bathurst the case was briefly mentioned.

During the course of the proceedings, Mr Carter told the court that he would not consent to the order and that Porter had been involved in an investigation by the ICAC. The magistrate told Mr Carter "that just tells me you don't like each other very much."

Mr Carter said he was seeking to return to work and that the order may prevent that.

Mrs Porter then told the court that she had a letter from the principal of Carenne Special School telling the court that Brian Carter had no need to go near the school and has no authorisation from him to be there. The magistrate said she wasn't interested in what Mrs Porter was saying and that she would make an order with a provision to cover Mr Carter returning to work. Mrs Porter attempted to speak but wasn't allowed to by the magistrate.

The magistrate told the court she would make the order and mark it as being made by consent with no admissions.

Lee Churches: Whistleblower's employment should be blocked, has an "evil plan"

Former member of the group of senior staff at Carenne Special School known as the Klan "Hatho" has provided another damning email send from Lee Churches to a number of staff. "Hatho" claims that Ms Churches will often write emails to one person at Carenne and then forward it on.

The email appears to be a follow on from the email mentioned by nedkelly about Brian Carter wishing to return to work.

In the email, Lee Churches admits to being obsessed about whistleblower Brian Carter and claims he has a hide for wanting to return to Carenne and claims that he has an "evil plan".

I can't get Mr BC out of my mind - and you must be the same - the hide of the man!!!!!Should you seek legal advice as to the implications if you are forced to put his name on a casual list - I just can't imagine what he is thinking because I guess us sane people can't even begin to think how these people think!!!!What has the man got planned next as this is obviously the next step in his evil plan.

Churches then says that Carter's casual number should be blocked, presumably so he can not work.

Does he actually have a casual number - i certainly hope not. if he hasn't can it be blocked at that end or certainly held up or lost in the mail.

The email provides further evidence of the complete and utter contempt Churches holds for whistleblowers and those who stand up for their rights and shows that she would resort to dirty tactics such as losing or blocking someone's casual number to stop them from working.

Gail Vasic wouldn't investigate claims made about Carenne Support because they happened while Terry Mahony was principal

After receiving a complaint via the department's Employee Performance and Conduct directorate, Gail Vasic (Manager of the Special Transport Unit) conducted investigations into a number of claims made by Carenne whistleblower Brian Carter, she however limited these investigations to what happened in 2009 not what happened during the time frame in which Mr Carter complained about.

In the letter, Ms Vasic claims:

As you are aware Terry Mahoney is no longer the principal of Carenne School therefore I have restricted my response to the current operation of the School Student Special Transport Scheme as it applies to Carenne Support Limited.

This claim indicates that the department had no interest in investigating allegations made about Carenne Support's activities prior to 2009 as Mr Mahony was no longer principal of Carenne Special School. Despite this, Mr Mahony remained a director of Carenne Support and was still an employee of the department (who was on long service leave) when the complaints were raised.

When these complaints involve defrauding the government, breaching child protection guidelines and the roadworthiness of vehicles used to transport special needs students they should have been thoroughly investigated.

Mary Housler's claims about whistleblower proven false

Mary Housler, Administrator of one of the organisations central to the Carenne Gate Affair - Carenne Support Limited has been proven to be incorrect about claims that all the trouble and complaints appear to have started when Brian Carter was dismissed at the end of 2008. With the release of a letter from Gail Vasic, Manager of Special Transport it is proven that Mr Carter first made a complaint to the department in August 2007.

Mrs Housler commented on this blog on 26 January 2010 and said:

All the so called "trouble" and complaints appear to have started when your "whistle blower", no doubt Brian Carter, was dismissed from employment for breaching the employment guidelines.

It appears his full time job now is thinking up more stories and wild accusations against anyone involved or associated with Carenne School.... no doubt I will be next.

According to hatho and savecarenne, Mrs Housler is claiming she did not make the comment and is being "set-up", to clear any confusion about this the IP address that the comment was posted from was 121.216.225.236. An email provided by savecarenne proves this IP address was the address of Mrs Housler on that date.

Based on this letter from Mrs Vasic, Mrs Housler has been proven to be a liar, a bully and someone who holds whistleblowers in complete contempt.

How the NSW DET ridicules and persecutes whistleblowers

Originally posted to Sydney Indymedia on 6 April 2010.

A document leaked by Carenne Public School staff member 'hatho' demonstrates how the Department of Education and Training treats whistleblowers. In the email, school principal Lynette Duncan claims that whistleblower Brian Carter was watching the school. Grant Hatch of the DET media unit replied "... whistle in mouth?" demonstrating the complete and utter contempt staff of the DET have for whistleblowers.

For more stories about how whistleblowers are treated by the NSW government visit wbde.org.

Image (Top Left): Grant Hatch, Bryony Hatch and Lilly Hitch in 2006. (c) Central Western Daily, used under fair use rights.

Terry Mahony lied about not knowing about the student going to Lithgow

Repeated claims to the NSW Department of Education and Training and the Bathurst community that Terry Mahony did not know about a student going to Lithgow on a bus return one day per week have been proven complete lies with the release of a document by blog user 'hatho'.

Hatho supports the Carenne Saviour's claims that Brian Carter had taken the student to Lithgow one day per week return at the advice of Ros Luther and Terry Mahony.

Hatho has supplied a copy of a 'Hazard/Incident Report Form' which shows Mr Mahony knew the student was being taken to Lithgow as early as September 2008.

It provides further proof that Carenne Support will lie to suit their own agenda. Carenne Gate bloggers call on an immediate independent investigation into this organisation.

Legal representation provided to $130,000 pa contractor (again)

Carenne Support, the organisation central to the Carenne Gate Affair is being represented in the Industrial Relations Commission by the Director-General of Education and Training, despite being a contractor earning in excess of $130,000 a year from the Department of Education and Training.

The Carenne Gate Affair first came to the public's attention when I reported on Sydney Indymedia that the Minister for Education and Training misled parliament in response to a question about whether or not the Department of Education and Training was providing legal representation to its contractor Carenne Support Limited. That legal representation was subsequently withdrawn.

Since June 2009, a number of concerns have been raised about Carenne Support. These range from a fundraising campaign to purchase two buses for the school which ended up owned by Carenne Support, the principal of Carenne Special School approving payment from DET to a company he is a director of, Overclaiming of payments from the department to Carenne Support and a Carenne Support escort, therapy blunders, the destruction of evidence that a student had not received therapy, the remuneration of a director when it is a non-profit company, false claims made about another operator to try and take his contract, harassment of parents and whistleblowers and allowing a bus to be used when human faeces had been placed inside it to harass one of its drivers.

The Department of Education and Training is also aware of Carenne Support director and Carenne Special School assistant principal Lee Churches posting on Sydney Indymedia, threatening parents, leaking confidential information and making racist remarks. There has also been the posting of information on this blog by Mary Housler, Carenne Support's book keeper. These postings have been made in direct contravention of orders by the Department of Education and Training.

It would appear that the department is looking the other way while these issues with Carenne Support are raised and debated publicly even though this is looking as though the department is condoning this behaviour. On 5 February 2010, I asked the Disability Programs Directorate of the Department of Education and Training just why Carenne Support is given this special treatment. I am told that the "appropriate officer" is looking at it but has not gotten back to me.

Now Carenne Support is being represented in new legal proceedings by the Department of Education of Training, it looks as though it is part of the department or at the least given some special status by it. Is this because it involves prominent parents, staff and Bathurst community members? Why should the department provide this assistance to a contractor which earns some $130,000 a year from it?

Carenne Special School teacher accused of making threats against whistleblower

A teacher of Carenne Special School who has been accused of involvement in the Carenne Gate Affair has been accused of making threats against whistle blower Brian Carter and his son Nathan by the Carenne Saviours.

The Carenne Saviours claim that Mr Auld believes the Carter family are responsible for complaints about corruption, child abuse and malfeasance at Carenne Special School involving himself and a number of other staff, which have become known as the "klan".

The saviours claim that Mr Auld has been trying to have Nathan Carter dismissed from the Department of Education and Training since the beginning of 2009 and has made a number of complaints about him. They also claim he has attempted to implicate Mr Carter and other people whom he has named as "snitches" in confidentiality breaches.

Following claims on Sydney Indymedia that Nathan Carter could be returning to Carenne Special School, Mr Auld made a threat that should he return to Carenne he would assault him. This threat was made in front of a number of Carenne Special School staff and was made known to the school principal, Terry Neal by a number of people.

Following the second Bathurst protest on 11 December 2009 and the unveiling of the Carenne Gate truck, the saviours have said that Mr Auld has threatened that he will assault the Carter family because that is the "only way that it will shut them up".

Whistleblower's car attacked

Posted November 19th, 2009 by jules85 on Sydney Indymedia

Bathurst whistleblower Brian Carter had significant damage done to his vehicle last night when vandals threw two rocks at it damaging the rear door and the side of the vehicle. Photographs taken of the damage seem to indicate that the vandals bowled the rocks at the vehilce and were attempting to smash its windows but missed.

At the time of the attack, the vehicle was parked between two others and neither of these were targeted. It is believed that the way the attack was carried out that those involved knew the area was under video surveillance.

The attack follows claims by the Carenne Saviours that the group at Carenne Special School known as the Klan had threatened serious harm would come to Mr Carter.

Indymedia volunteers will door knock the area today asking for information about any suspicious activity in the area overnight and Police investigations are continuing. Anyone with information is urged to phone Bathurst Police on 02 6332 8699.

Proof Education Minister knowingly misled parliament as well as the shadow minister

Posted September 13th, 2009 by jules85 on Sydney Indymedia

Conclusive evidence that Verity Firth, NSW Minister for Education and Training misled parliament on 5 May 2009 in relation to a question about whistleblower Brian Carter has been obtained under Freedom of Information. The same document also indicates further misleading statements to shadow education minister Adrian Piccoli.

The document, drafted by NSW Department of Education and Training Industrial Officer Patrick Quinn on 6 March 2009 stated that the department was providing pro bono legal support to its contractor Carenne Support. Mr Quinn appeared for Carenne Support before the Industrial Relations Commission on 3 March 2009.

Concerns were raised about the department representing its contractor which earns some $15,000 per month running two Special Needs Transport Service runs into Carenne Special School. The contractor's managing director prior to 2009 was Terrence Mahony, then principal of Carenne Special School. In that role, Mr Mahony approved payment to a company of which he is a director.

Due to the company being directed by a past principal, current assistant principal and other school community members, Mr Carter, a former casual employee of the department has received no further work at Carenne Special School.

When Mr Carter inquired with shadow education minister Adrian Piccoli on this point, the minister responded that Mr Carter remained on the list of persons who may be employed by Carenne Special School. The minister reiterated this view when asked the question in parliament. Despite this claim, a brief prepared by Mr Quinn for the Minister on 6 March 2009 stated that Mr Carter's employment with the department was effectively on hold pending resolution of the case against its contractor.

Not only did the education minister knowingly mislead parliament about legal representation for Carenne Support but she also misled parliament and the shadow minister about Mr Carter's employment status with the department.

Mr Carter first became aware that he could not work at Carenne Special School on 3 July 2009, when principal Lynette Duncan refused employment citing his case against Carenne Support as the primary reason. This is currently subject to proceedings before the NSW Industrial Court.

This, along with the leaking of confidential correspondence between Mr Carter and his local Labor MP indicate that the NSW Labor Party is involved in the Carenne Gate scandal up to its neck.

I would have thought the actions of Ms Firth and Mr Martin in relation to the Carenne Gate affair would be more serious than a minister having an affair with a younger woman which resulted in John Della-Bosca's ministerial resignation but Premier Nathan Rees, aware of the actions of Ms Firth and Mr Martin refuses to take action. Both should resign from parliament immediately as their lies and deception shows they are unfit to hold any public office.

Terry Mahony threatened Brian Carter if he took action in the IRC

Posted November 1st, 2009 by jules85 on Sydney Indymedia

When whistle blower Brian Carter was dismissed from Carenne Support as a bus driver, he indicated to Carenne Special School Principal and Director of Carenne Support Ltd that he would make a claim in the Industrial Relations Commission for unfair dismissal. At that time, Mr Carter was told that to do so would bar him from being on the grounds of Carenne Special School. This claim by Mr Carter is supported by Mr Mahony's claim to EPAC Investigator Mick Eccleston.

This threat ended Mr Carter's association with Carenne Special School as a regular volunteer and casual employee.

When Mr Carter raised the question of how Mr Mahony could effectively ban him from being on the premises of Carenne Special School for no reason other than suing Carenne Support with Peter Harvey, he was reported to the Department of Education and Training's Employee Performance and Conduct Unit for staff misconduct.

Instead of investigating why Mr Mahony had made the threat without consulting the DET Legal Branch, the department began vilifying Mr Carter.

In his discussion with EPAC, Mr Mahony made a false claim about a speeding fine Mr Carter had received. In his record, Mr Eccleston wrote:

Towards the end of 2008 Mr Carter was fined for speeding when he was driving students.

The Carenne Saviours claim to have been told by another Carenne Support Director, Lee Churches that Mr Carter received a speeding fine and did not tell Mr Mahony and Carenne Support only became aware of it after a check was ran on Mr Carter's driving record.

An entry into Mr Mahony's diary dated 18 February 2008 tells a different story.

Why did Mr Mahony tell EPAC the fine was received at the end of 2008? Is it because as one of the reasons for Mr Carter's dismissal it had happened ten months prior?

Carenne Support fails its constitutional argument before the IRC

Posted October 20th, 2009 by jules85 on Sydney Indymedia
The attempt to deny whistle blower Brian Carter relief from unfair dismissal from his employment at Carenne Special School's attached charity - Carenne Support has been rejected in a judgement handed down by Justice Haylen in the Industrial Relations Commission today. The application, filed by Carenne Support attempted to prove that it was a "trading corporation" as defined by the constitution and was therefore covered by Workchoices and the federal industrial relations regime.

If the application was accepted, Mr Carter would have had no recourse for his unfair dismissal. This tactic has however delayed Mr Carter's proceedings for unfair dismissal by some seven months, most likely at substantial expense to both parties.

In his judgement, Justice Haylen made mention of the NSW Department of Education and Training's Legal Services Unit representing Carenne Support, supplying further evidence that Verity Firth, Minister for Education and Training misled parliament when asked if they were representing a departmental contractor. The judgement also identifies Mr Stan Benson, the NSW DET's preferred barrister as counsel for Carenne Support. The minister should now explain whether or not the services of Mr Benson were paid for at government expense.

His honour also mentioned that the bulk of Carenne Support's funding came from its contract with the Department of Education and Training, with funding from the Department of Ageing, Disability and Home Care for its therapy services. In his judement, Justice Haylen said that Carenne Support had a contract to provide services to DADHC to people in the Bathurst community, despite providing all services except for one client to Carenne School.

A parent of a student at Carenne Special School has told me that she was told that therapy services were provided entirely at Carenne Support's expense. This comment makes this sound incorrect.

Note was also made of how financial statements prior to this matter referred to this income as "fundraising".

His honour also noted submissions by Mr Carter that the Australian Business Register entry in Geoffery Salmon's affidavit failed to demonstrate Carenne Support's favourable taxation status due to being a non-profit entity.

Despite initial attempts by Carenne Support to have mention of how its buses were obtained dismissed as trouble-making, Justice Haylen made mention of them in his judgement. Justice Haylen mentioned:

The two Ford transit minibuses were purchased following an appeal in 2004/2005 by the Carenne Public School, an appeal for buses to assist with transporting students to and from school-related activities. Mr Carter referred to press coverage of these fundraising events. In 2005 the Lions Club of Bathurst had donated more than $30,000 to the Carenne School bus appeal. One article carried a statement from Mr Terence Mahoney a director of Carenne and the Principal of Carenne Public School that the school would now be able to order a bus with wheelchair access. Mr Mahoney had said that the school really needed its own bus to guarantee viability of programmes for the students. Mr Mahoney had mentioned in one of the articles that the well-known charity, Variety, had come to their aid and had donated the remaining funds allowing the purchase of two buses for the school. Those statements made it clear that the purchase of the buses was for the purposes of the operation of the Carenne Public School and its students. Mr Carter asserted that there was no intention to use the vehicles for trade and that would be unusual considering that the funding for the purchase of the vehicles was supplied by donations and other charities such as Variety.

The judge found that: the similarities between the operations of Carenne and the operations considered in Hillman, The Red Cross and the Etheridge Council cases leads to the conclusion that Carenne is not a trading corporation and that finding, in turn, results in the Commission having jurisdiction to hear Mr Carter's application for unfair dismissal.

The unfair dismissal hearing will take place on a date to be fixed.

Read the complete judgement

Claims by Carenne Special School staff that Lynette Duncan was attempting to circumvent FOI proven

Posted September 3rd, 2009 by jules85 on Sydney Indymedia

Claims made by Carenne Special School staff two weeks ago that their principal Lynette Duncan had instructed them to use psuedonymns when referring to whisteblower Brian Carter in order to circumvent the Freedom of Information Act have been proven with the release of documents under Freedom of Information by the Department of Education and Training.

In a number of emails between department officials, Mrs Duncan has referred to Mr Carter simply as "special friend" and "BC" in an obvious attempt to avoid these being able to be provided to Mr Carter.

In one email, she says that she told Mr Carter that a non-classroom based teacher's aide special was a General Assistant, despite nobody ever hearing of this classification. It appears that Mrs Duncan is making stories up as she goes along.

What this does prove however is that Mrs Duncan has attempted to circumvent legislation which is intended to provide for transparency in public institutions. If Mrs Duncan is willing to do this to hide what she is saying, what else is she willing to hide?

If the department is to have any credibility in this matter it must stand down Mrs Duncan pending a full investigation.