Carenne Support's complete lack of regard for student safety has never been more obvious than it was last week. Ever since Dave Graham and Geoff Salmon had the vehicles shipped to Victoria to have gearbox conversions both vehicles have had a series of never-ending problems resulting in Carenne Support having to use hire vehicles.
On Thursday an even more dangerous situation occurred when Carenne Support's Oberon bus's brakes failed whilst driving down Oberon Mount. Fortunately for the students on board the driver was able to control the vehicle even though the brakes had failed.
A spokesman for Clancy Motors told Carenne Gate that the issue was caused by two bolts attaching the brakes to the vehicle snapping. He said "the driver would have noticed the first bolt coming off, there would have been a noise from it hitting parts of the car, instead of checking he kept driving until the second one came off which caused the failure."
When asked what would have caused the problem, the spokesman said "Not being checked properly when the brake pads were replaced, we didn't do those - the brake pads used were cheap, not what we use."
It's time for Carenne Support to explain how this incident occurred.
Showing posts with label carenne support. Show all posts
Showing posts with label carenne support. Show all posts
Sunday, November 11, 2012
Sunday, November 4, 2012
Carenne Support, Peter Williams breach SNTS rules
The Department of Education and Communities needs to explain to other SNTS operators how Carenne Support and Peter Williams are able to get away with not having suitable relief vehicles as required by the SNTS guidelines.
According to Carenne staff, both Carenne Support and Peter Williams run the most unreliable vehicles to the school. Carenne Support has routinely had to hire vehicles when its Oberon and Lithgow buses broke down. Both Ford buses used by Carenne Support have had a plethora of issues this year from failing transmissions to blown turbos to major electrical faults.
Peter Williams' Toyota has also had its share of problems, with Williams falling back on his old vehicle. According to nedkelly, Williams has sold his old bus and now has no relief vehicle.
The allowed beach of the rules is a slap in the face to contractors like Dick Spears, Cheryl Chaplin and Capebase who always have sufficient relief vehicles. When the department review its contracts for next year it should look at those who have not complied and offer them nothing.
According to Carenne staff, both Carenne Support and Peter Williams run the most unreliable vehicles to the school. Carenne Support has routinely had to hire vehicles when its Oberon and Lithgow buses broke down. Both Ford buses used by Carenne Support have had a plethora of issues this year from failing transmissions to blown turbos to major electrical faults.
Peter Williams' Toyota has also had its share of problems, with Williams falling back on his old vehicle. According to nedkelly, Williams has sold his old bus and now has no relief vehicle.
The allowed beach of the rules is a slap in the face to contractors like Dick Spears, Cheryl Chaplin and Capebase who always have sufficient relief vehicles. When the department review its contracts for next year it should look at those who have not complied and offer them nothing.
Thursday, June 7, 2012
Moon reprimanded over improper Assisted School Travel medical plans
Following a report on this blog in March that Assisted School Travel Unit manager Catherine Naismith ignored complaints about Carenne Support and Neil Moon over their handling of an incident where a student had a seizure and suffered from hypoxia while being transported home from school.
In that article, Julie Brown was critical of Neil Moon for failing to follow department policy by not making information available to drivers and Travel Support Officers. As a result of the article, the Bathurst Schools Office received a number of calls from concerned parents and launched its own investigation.
The investigation found that Neil Moon had negligently failed to provide bus staff with health care and behaviour management plans and that he had failed to have staff trained in their implementation. Neil Moon was told he was to arrange for information to be communicated to bus staff and to arrange training for bus personnel.
As a result of the blog posting and subsequent investigation, Neil Moon has arranged training for bus personnel for a total of five hours on two separate days. Despite the first of those sessions not being carried out properly, with confidential student information being discussed in front of all present staff were trained in high risk areas and provided with the behaviour and health care plans required under departmental guidelines.
The outcome is a testament to what can happen when issues are reported on this blog, complained about by parents and action taken.
In that article, Julie Brown was critical of Neil Moon for failing to follow department policy by not making information available to drivers and Travel Support Officers. As a result of the article, the Bathurst Schools Office received a number of calls from concerned parents and launched its own investigation.
The investigation found that Neil Moon had negligently failed to provide bus staff with health care and behaviour management plans and that he had failed to have staff trained in their implementation. Neil Moon was told he was to arrange for information to be communicated to bus staff and to arrange training for bus personnel.
As a result of the blog posting and subsequent investigation, Neil Moon has arranged training for bus personnel for a total of five hours on two separate days. Despite the first of those sessions not being carried out properly, with confidential student information being discussed in front of all present staff were trained in high risk areas and provided with the behaviour and health care plans required under departmental guidelines.
The outcome is a testament to what can happen when issues are reported on this blog, complained about by parents and action taken.
Monday, May 21, 2012
Paul Knight resigns from Carenne Support
The mouth of Carenne Support Limited, Paul Knight has resigned from the board of directors following a disagreement with Geoff Salmon, Terry Mahony and Mary Housler. According to a source inside the organisation, the disagreement related to Salmon and Mahony's plans for a fundraising campaign to purchase replacement buses.
Knight believes that it wasn't right for Carenne Support to call for donations to purchase vehicles when it already has $150,000 in the bank and had been using them to make money. He believed to do so would bring more negative publicity to the organisation.
Carenne Special School conducted a fundraising appeal in 2004 and 2005 to purchase new vehicles for the school. Those vehicles ended up in the hands of Carenne Support instead of the school as they were purchased for. The falling out with Paul Knight shows how quickly those in control will turn on those who disagree with them.
Knight believes that it wasn't right for Carenne Support to call for donations to purchase vehicles when it already has $150,000 in the bank and had been using them to make money. He believed to do so would bring more negative publicity to the organisation.
Carenne Special School conducted a fundraising appeal in 2004 and 2005 to purchase new vehicles for the school. Those vehicles ended up in the hands of Carenne Support instead of the school as they were purchased for. The falling out with Paul Knight shows how quickly those in control will turn on those who disagree with them.
Monday, April 30, 2012
Neil Moon defrauds the public
In years to come when people look at the history of Carenne Special School in Bathurst, Neil Moon's principalship will be remembered as being one of cover-ups, lies, incompetence and stupidity. Neil Moon showed his tendancy for the last during his interview with Radio 2BS today.
During the interview, Mr Moon mentioned the upcoming Variety Club Bash and how the school owes them a debt of gratitude because Variety gave the school financial support to purchase two buses. What Moon didn't realise is that his slip has quite significant ramifications for Carenne Support. Here you have yet another principal claiming that the funds raised for the Carenne bus appeal were actually raised for the school.
If Variety donated to the school (which is what the rest of the Bathurst community did, as they were led to believe the buses were for the school), why did the school give the money to Carenne Support? Why does Carenne Support own the buses and use them for business?
The issue raises very serious concerns about Terry Mahony, the school's principal at the time. Why did he allow the money to be siphoned to Carenne Support? Why did he lie to the community?
It's time the Bathurst Detectives actually do their job and charge every director of Carenne Support at the time with fraud.
During the interview, Mr Moon mentioned the upcoming Variety Club Bash and how the school owes them a debt of gratitude because Variety gave the school financial support to purchase two buses. What Moon didn't realise is that his slip has quite significant ramifications for Carenne Support. Here you have yet another principal claiming that the funds raised for the Carenne bus appeal were actually raised for the school.
If Variety donated to the school (which is what the rest of the Bathurst community did, as they were led to believe the buses were for the school), why did the school give the money to Carenne Support? Why does Carenne Support own the buses and use them for business?
The issue raises very serious concerns about Terry Mahony, the school's principal at the time. Why did he allow the money to be siphoned to Carenne Support? Why did he lie to the community?
It's time the Bathurst Detectives actually do their job and charge every director of Carenne Support at the time with fraud.
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Digging deeper into Salmon and Speck's affairs
Carenne Gate can reveal a number of issues with Carenne Support director Geoff Salmon's own company - Salmon and Speck Pty Ltd which is currently in administration after racking up millions of dollars in debt. After digging into the affairs of the company, Carenne Gate can reveal that Salmon may have breached his duty as a director and could be personally liable for debts of the company.
Carenne Gate can reveal that Salmon 'self-dealt' with the company, using it to pay for items for himself and hide them in the company's books, without the knowledge of his business partner Peter Speck.
These debts include:
These are the amounts which are easily identifiable to have been self-dealt by Salmon. There may be more.
Of even more concern is that some of these debts have been outstanding since 2008, meaning that since that time Salmon has racked up more debt that he knew he couldn't pay. It's time that ASIC does a full and proper investigation into whether Salmon breached his duty as a director and if the company while insolvent.
Carenne Gate can reveal that Salmon 'self-dealt' with the company, using it to pay for items for himself and hide them in the company's books, without the knowledge of his business partner Peter Speck.
These debts include:
| Alert Monitoring Service for 335 Foleys Creek Road, Oberon | $223.95 |
| Atherton Tableland for work done at 335 Foleys Creek Road, Oberon | $66,705.64 |
| Clark Tanks for water tank installed at 335 Foleys Creek Road, Oberon | $6,544.00 |
| Elgas for LPG service at 335 Foleys Creek Road, Oberon | $1,994.10 |
| Integral Energy for electricity service at 335 Foleys Creek Road, Oberon | $7,871.59 |
| Optus for mobile telephones used by Salmon | $13,891.68 |
| Telstra for home telephone at 335 Foleys Creek Road, Oberon | $562.64 |
| Wright Express for fuel cards issued to Geoffrey and Gillian Salmon | $13,029.27 |
| Minimum amount misappropriated by Salmon: | $110,822.87 |
These are the amounts which are easily identifiable to have been self-dealt by Salmon. There may be more.
Of even more concern is that some of these debts have been outstanding since 2008, meaning that since that time Salmon has racked up more debt that he knew he couldn't pay. It's time that ASIC does a full and proper investigation into whether Salmon breached his duty as a director and if the company while insolvent.
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Geoff and Gillian Salmon defraud administrators
Directors of corrupt charity Carenne Support, Geoff and Gillian Salmon appear to have either lied during the preparation of a Report As To Affairs (RATA) used in the liquidation of Salmon and Speck Pty Ltd or have attempted to gain more from the company than they are entitled to.
Carenne Gate can reveal that as of last month, Geoff and Gillian Salmon jointly claimed to be owed $450,000 by Salmon and Speck Pty Ltd, despite a RATA figure of nil. At the same time last year, the RATA figure was just over $117,000. That's an increase of around $333,000. Geoff Salmon separately claims to be owed $450,000 with his business partner Peter Speck claiming another $450,000.
Even without the Salmons and Mr Speck's claim, the amount owed by the company is in the millions of dollars - with a RATA amount of $2,000,000 owed to the National Australia Bank and over $1,000,000 owed to Asphalt Haulage.
The fall out from the collapse is vast, with businesses struggling due to the massive amounts owed to them by Salmon and Speck, one company - Comet Foods has gone bankrupt after carrying massive debt raked up by Salmon. Labour Hire companies and employees are owed over $170,000 with an insurance company also owed for worker's compensation.
By looking at how Salmon runs his own company, it's not hard to see why Carenne Support is in such a shambles. Geoff and Gillian Salmon are conartists who should be nowhere near a charitable institution like Carenne Support.
Carenne Gate can reveal that as of last month, Geoff and Gillian Salmon jointly claimed to be owed $450,000 by Salmon and Speck Pty Ltd, despite a RATA figure of nil. At the same time last year, the RATA figure was just over $117,000. That's an increase of around $333,000. Geoff Salmon separately claims to be owed $450,000 with his business partner Peter Speck claiming another $450,000.
Even without the Salmons and Mr Speck's claim, the amount owed by the company is in the millions of dollars - with a RATA amount of $2,000,000 owed to the National Australia Bank and over $1,000,000 owed to Asphalt Haulage.
The fall out from the collapse is vast, with businesses struggling due to the massive amounts owed to them by Salmon and Speck, one company - Comet Foods has gone bankrupt after carrying massive debt raked up by Salmon. Labour Hire companies and employees are owed over $170,000 with an insurance company also owed for worker's compensation.
By looking at how Salmon runs his own company, it's not hard to see why Carenne Support is in such a shambles. Geoff and Gillian Salmon are conartists who should be nowhere near a charitable institution like Carenne Support.
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Interchange worker uncovers Neil Moon's plans
A vacation care worker with respite organisation Interchange has uncovered a series of plans by Neil Moon to increase school numbers in an effort to rid the school of a long-time staff member and to recommend the allocation of additional runs to Carenne Support.
The worker has supplied Carenne Gate with documents left laying around the school by Neil Moon. One is a letter written by Moon promoting the school, claiming it to be the "best available option for students with special needs" and saying that "the school is well resourced and supported through Carenne Support Limited". The letter appears to be directed towards special education units and parents in the Bathurst district. The letter is the precursor to two other documents found by the care worker.
The second is a report on long-time General Assistant Peter Taylor, who Carenne staff have rumoured to be at risk if being dismissed for Doug Rowe. In the report, Neil Moon mentions that by the end of the year he plans on having the numbers to support 16 classes at the school which would increase the General Assistant's position to five days per week. In the report, Moon states that "Peter Taylor does not have the requisite fitness to be able to perform the role on a 1 FTE basis and would either have to remain on a 0.4 FTE basis with a second person sharing the position or preferably replaced by someone capable of performing a 1 FTE position."
"The level of confusion and disruption by students in having two General Assistants lead me to believe that the best solution is to medically retire Mr Taylor and hire another General Assistant."
In the final document, an email between Neil Moon and Sandra Marsic at the Assisted School Travel Unit, Neil Moon mentions that he is planning on an increase of one class next term with at least 8 new students. He says that he would "strongly encourage as many of these students as possible to be allocated to runs with Carenne Support to support the school's programs."
The documents should be of concern to parents when Neil Moon can't manage a school with 12 classes and he plans on increasing them to 16. Such an increase would require an increase of around 30 students. Carenne Gate will call on Neil Moon's plan to be ignored and for students to be allocated to support classes in the district.
The worker has supplied Carenne Gate with documents left laying around the school by Neil Moon. One is a letter written by Moon promoting the school, claiming it to be the "best available option for students with special needs" and saying that "the school is well resourced and supported through Carenne Support Limited". The letter appears to be directed towards special education units and parents in the Bathurst district. The letter is the precursor to two other documents found by the care worker.
The second is a report on long-time General Assistant Peter Taylor, who Carenne staff have rumoured to be at risk if being dismissed for Doug Rowe. In the report, Neil Moon mentions that by the end of the year he plans on having the numbers to support 16 classes at the school which would increase the General Assistant's position to five days per week. In the report, Moon states that "Peter Taylor does not have the requisite fitness to be able to perform the role on a 1 FTE basis and would either have to remain on a 0.4 FTE basis with a second person sharing the position or preferably replaced by someone capable of performing a 1 FTE position."
"The level of confusion and disruption by students in having two General Assistants lead me to believe that the best solution is to medically retire Mr Taylor and hire another General Assistant."
In the final document, an email between Neil Moon and Sandra Marsic at the Assisted School Travel Unit, Neil Moon mentions that he is planning on an increase of one class next term with at least 8 new students. He says that he would "strongly encourage as many of these students as possible to be allocated to runs with Carenne Support to support the school's programs."
The documents should be of concern to parents when Neil Moon can't manage a school with 12 classes and he plans on increasing them to 16. Such an increase would require an increase of around 30 students. Carenne Gate will call on Neil Moon's plan to be ignored and for students to be allocated to support classes in the district.
Saturday, March 31, 2012
Naismith refuses to investigate Carenne Support, Neil Moon over medical incident
A medical incident on Carenne Support's Lithgow bus driven by Dave Graham and escorted by Robyn Graham last week highlighted serious issues with how Carenne Support trains its drivers and escorts. The duo were caught completely by surprise when a student had a seizure on the bus last Wednesday, not knowing the correct way to deal with the issue.
According to Barracus, Robyn Graham told her that she didn't know what to do so left the student strapped to the seat while they had a fit. She said she "watched the child turn blue" and called the ambulance, which Dave Graham rushed to meet. Barracus told Carenne Gate this was not the proper way to handle the situation, which came down to Mr and Mrs Graham not being properly trained by Carenne Support.
When the incident was raised with Neil Moon, Barracus was told to keep their mouth shut and act as though it never happened.
Investigations by Carenne Gate can reveal that the principal and school staff are responsible for ensuring that bus staff have proper information and training to deal with such situations and all drivers and escorts should have health care plans detailing what to do in certain situations. According to Barracus and Save Carenne, Neil Moon has never made this information available.
When approached by Save Carenne, Catherine Naismith refused to deal with the complaint, further showing her complete lack of regard for the safety of disabled students being transported under the assisted travel program.
According to Barracus, Robyn Graham told her that she didn't know what to do so left the student strapped to the seat while they had a fit. She said she "watched the child turn blue" and called the ambulance, which Dave Graham rushed to meet. Barracus told Carenne Gate this was not the proper way to handle the situation, which came down to Mr and Mrs Graham not being properly trained by Carenne Support.
When the incident was raised with Neil Moon, Barracus was told to keep their mouth shut and act as though it never happened.
Investigations by Carenne Gate can reveal that the principal and school staff are responsible for ensuring that bus staff have proper information and training to deal with such situations and all drivers and escorts should have health care plans detailing what to do in certain situations. According to Barracus and Save Carenne, Neil Moon has never made this information available.
When approached by Save Carenne, Catherine Naismith refused to deal with the complaint, further showing her complete lack of regard for the safety of disabled students being transported under the assisted travel program.
Friday, March 30, 2012
Manager of Assisted School Travel ignores serious complaints
Catherine Naismith, the manager of the department's Assisted School Travel Unit has ignored serious complaints about issues involving the travel program at Carenne Special School. This week, departmental whistleblower Save Carenne informed Naismith of a number of issues involving the program at Carenne to be told:
Savecarenne alleged that unapproved escorts had been used by Cheryl Chaplin, Capebase, Carenne Support, Dick Spears and Peter Williams and that the only vehicles meeting department standards were operated by Carenne Support.
Of particular concern was the unapproved use of medically retired assistant principal Lee Churches on Capebase's run given that she was retired due to cognitive and mental health problems. She was subsequently approved despite being a person on the department's Not To Be Employed list.
Savecarenne's complaint raised both safety and child protection issues and has been flatly rejected by the manager of the Assisted School Travel Unit who presided over the unit when 700 students were left stranded at the beginning of the year. It's time the department take action and sack Naismith for gross incompetence.
Obviously, Naismith is not aware of the culture that exists within the department in Western NSW from Carole McDiarmid down. Those who complain and speak up routinely face harassment, intimidation and other reprisals. For Naismith to refuse to investigate what are serious issues against a number of people is frightening.
I also note that you claim to be an employee of the Department which therefore places obligations on you in regard to your employer and how you notify the Department of complaints. I strongly recommend that you familiarise yourself with the complaints handling processes of the Department and the Code of Conduct. If you believe that your complaints are of such a nature that the Department ought to take them seriously, then please provide them in the appropriate manner.
If you hold concerns regarding identifying yourself in making a complaint, please familiarise yourself with the Department’s policy Public Interest Disclosures - Internal Reporting Policy
Savecarenne alleged that unapproved escorts had been used by Cheryl Chaplin, Capebase, Carenne Support, Dick Spears and Peter Williams and that the only vehicles meeting department standards were operated by Carenne Support.
Of particular concern was the unapproved use of medically retired assistant principal Lee Churches on Capebase's run given that she was retired due to cognitive and mental health problems. She was subsequently approved despite being a person on the department's Not To Be Employed list.
Savecarenne's complaint raised both safety and child protection issues and has been flatly rejected by the manager of the Assisted School Travel Unit who presided over the unit when 700 students were left stranded at the beginning of the year. It's time the department take action and sack Naismith for gross incompetence.
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Carenne Support Director's wife makes submission to Boston inquiry as an 'impacted parent'
A report into the failures of the Assisted School Travel Program's operation for 2012 has been released by the Department of Premier and Cabinet. In the report, it is mentioned that corrupt and incompetent director and self-confessed carjacker Geoff Salmon's wife Gillian made a submission to the inquiry as an 'impacted parent'.
Investigations by Carenne Gate have been unable to discover just how the Salmons were impacted, especially when their son Phillip is being transported by Carenne Support Limited in 2012, a company that Geoff is a director of.
Did Salmon tell Dr Boston that she was the wife a director of the contractor transporting her son? What exactly did she say in her submission? These are critically important questions given her close association with the program (through Carenne Support's involvement).
Thursday, February 9, 2012
ASTU officer George Kalinin identified as corrupt
Following Libertarian's expos'e of Capebase Pty Ltd and its close relationship with an officer of the Assisted School Travel Unit (ASTU) known as George, Carenne Gate was flooded with details about the corrupt officer.
Carenne Gate can reveal that George Kalinin, a senior transport officer at the ASTU has been heavily involved in rorts surrounding the Assisted School Travel Program (ASTP) for years.
One such rort is a system of mates rates for particular bus operators, hand selected by Kalnin himself. These rates mates were referred to as the department standard rate. The department standard rate in 2011 for a bus such as those used by Carenne Support and Capebase was $3.12 per kilometre, with a daily minimum of 100 kilometres (or $312 per day). Preferred operators such as Carenne Support, Capebase and TRAILS were paid the standard rate while other operators were not even told of its existence.
Kalinin is heavily involved in the allocation of runs at the ASTU and has rewarded his mates with lucrative runs, despite their history of major issues.
Kalinin was also known to bully drivers and operators, telling them if they complained about the system they would lose their run and it would be allocated to another operator. These re-allocations were ordinarily made to Capebase or other operators paid according to the department standard rate.
Kalinin has threatened drivers and operators who reported safety issues with both vehicles and individual students. Kalinin told these people making complaints to mind their own business and if they pushed the issue they were warned that there would be serious consequences.
Kalinin has also bullied parents, telling them if they complained too much he would just end their eligibility for transport and they would have to take their own children to school.
Numerous complaints about Kalinin have been made to both Gail Vasic (former ASTU manager) and Catherine Naismith (current ASTU manager) with no action being taken. His corrupt activities at the ASTU have been reported to politicians on both sides of the political divide and has been referred to the Independent Commission Against Corruption, yet no action has been taken against him.
George Kalinin is yet another officer at the ASTU that should be in the dole queue, instead of looking after his corrupt mates.
Carenne Gate can reveal that George Kalinin, a senior transport officer at the ASTU has been heavily involved in rorts surrounding the Assisted School Travel Program (ASTP) for years.
One such rort is a system of mates rates for particular bus operators, hand selected by Kalnin himself. These rates mates were referred to as the department standard rate. The department standard rate in 2011 for a bus such as those used by Carenne Support and Capebase was $3.12 per kilometre, with a daily minimum of 100 kilometres (or $312 per day). Preferred operators such as Carenne Support, Capebase and TRAILS were paid the standard rate while other operators were not even told of its existence.
Kalinin is heavily involved in the allocation of runs at the ASTU and has rewarded his mates with lucrative runs, despite their history of major issues.
Kalinin was also known to bully drivers and operators, telling them if they complained about the system they would lose their run and it would be allocated to another operator. These re-allocations were ordinarily made to Capebase or other operators paid according to the department standard rate.
Kalinin has threatened drivers and operators who reported safety issues with both vehicles and individual students. Kalinin told these people making complaints to mind their own business and if they pushed the issue they were warned that there would be serious consequences.
Kalinin has also bullied parents, telling them if they complained too much he would just end their eligibility for transport and they would have to take their own children to school.
Numerous complaints about Kalinin have been made to both Gail Vasic (former ASTU manager) and Catherine Naismith (current ASTU manager) with no action being taken. His corrupt activities at the ASTU have been reported to politicians on both sides of the political divide and has been referred to the Independent Commission Against Corruption, yet no action has been taken against him.
George Kalinin is yet another officer at the ASTU that should be in the dole queue, instead of looking after his corrupt mates.
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Capebase refuses to cater to special needs, rewarded by DEC
The NSW Department of Education and Communities has once again shown its complete incompetence in relation to its administration of the Assisted School Travel Program (formerly known as the Special Needs Transport Service) with the revelation that Capebase Pty Ltd, an organisation which has featured on this blog for defrauding the department, having dangerous drivers and abusing students has taken over a run in the Blue Mountains formerly serviced by Katoomba-Leura Cabs.
Parents vented their anger to the Blue Mountains Gazette which has named and shamed the organisation for refusing to guarantee that they can guarantee to be able to cater to the special needs of students.
Les Ross and Capebase have been given special treatment by the department for years. It is well aware of the issues surrounding it, yet like Carenne Support it continues to be rewarded with lucrative transport contracts.
It's time for the education minister to sack Catherine Naismith, the manager of the Assisted School Travel Unit and to announce an inquiry into why organisations such as Capebase and Carenne Support were awarded contracts given their past poor performance.
Readers interested in past stories about Capebase may read them by clicking this.
Parents vented their anger to the Blue Mountains Gazette which has named and shamed the organisation for refusing to guarantee that they can guarantee to be able to cater to the special needs of students.
Les Ross and Capebase have been given special treatment by the department for years. It is well aware of the issues surrounding it, yet like Carenne Support it continues to be rewarded with lucrative transport contracts.
It's time for the education minister to sack Catherine Naismith, the manager of the Assisted School Travel Unit and to announce an inquiry into why organisations such as Capebase and Carenne Support were awarded contracts given their past poor performance.
Readers interested in past stories about Capebase may read them by clicking this.
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Housler and Salmon's latest Carenne Support rort
With the Assisted School Travel Program in disarray due to changes to contracts between the department and contractors and the inability to secure travel support officers, Geoff Salmon and Mary Housler have found new ways to rort the system. Under the old scheme, Carenne Support was paid around $600 per day for its Lithgow run, while under the new scheme it should be paid around $370 per day.
This year, Robyn Graham - the travel support officer who assaulted an indigenous student last year has been forced to resign, with many in the Carenne KLAN claiming that she was dismissed over the allegations against her. This is incorrect. Mrs Graham was forced to resign as part of Salmon and Housler's exploitation of a loophole, allowing them to increase the amount received from the department.
A loophole under the new scheme allows contractors to claim an extra 15% per day if they have to travel more than five kilometres to collect their travel support officer. With Mrs Graham arriving at the school with her husband of a morning and afternoon, Carenne Support would not be entitled to the extra bonus but with Robyn Graham no longer working as travel support officer, Dave Graham now has to collect an escort at an additional cost to the department of $55 per day (or $1,100 per month).
Once again, Carenne Support have shown they can not be trusted and that they will exploit any loophole they can for their own gain.
This year, Robyn Graham - the travel support officer who assaulted an indigenous student last year has been forced to resign, with many in the Carenne KLAN claiming that she was dismissed over the allegations against her. This is incorrect. Mrs Graham was forced to resign as part of Salmon and Housler's exploitation of a loophole, allowing them to increase the amount received from the department.
A loophole under the new scheme allows contractors to claim an extra 15% per day if they have to travel more than five kilometres to collect their travel support officer. With Mrs Graham arriving at the school with her husband of a morning and afternoon, Carenne Support would not be entitled to the extra bonus but with Robyn Graham no longer working as travel support officer, Dave Graham now has to collect an escort at an additional cost to the department of $55 per day (or $1,100 per month).
Once again, Carenne Support have shown they can not be trusted and that they will exploit any loophole they can for their own gain.
Monday, January 30, 2012
Independent inquiry into assisted school travel bungle
Today, NSW Premier Barry O'Farrell has announced an independent inquiry into the Assisted School Travel Program following its bungled handling of transition to new contractual arrangements.
The move for an inquiry has been criticised by Labor leader John Robertson, who's party while in government instigated the tender process.
Transport providers under the scheme (formerly the Special Needs Transport Service) have had to tender for runs under the new scheme, with the tender process commencing in late 2010. After the department realised it didn't have enough contractors in all regions it issued another tender in November 2011.
According to a source in the Assisted Travel Unit, the tendering of placement on an eligibility list every five years was supposed to weed out those defrauding the department and not providing an adequate level of service.
Instead, a number of operators around the state have been left short by the department, either not being awarded contracts or making their contracts financially unviable. These honest operators have been shafted while corrupt organisations such as Carenne Support Limited and Capebase have been rewarded.
Carenne Support, an organisation which has ripped off the former SNTS program, has refused to transport certain students, is under investigation by the ICAC, had a director assault a former employee, failed to comply with company law, has ripped off its employees and allowed staff to assault students has been awarded three runs this year, while Capebase, another organisation who defrauded the department has been awarded at least 25 through-out NSW.
One parent with a student on Capebase's Blayney run was contacted on Sunday and told her daughter couldn't attend school today because an escort could not be found and would not be able to travel on transport ordinarily provided by the department until one was found. There has been a long-standing problem getting escorts, which are paid just over $12 per hour.
The problems with the assisted school travel program are long-standing and all aspects of it should be reviewed.
The move for an inquiry has been criticised by Labor leader John Robertson, who's party while in government instigated the tender process.
Transport providers under the scheme (formerly the Special Needs Transport Service) have had to tender for runs under the new scheme, with the tender process commencing in late 2010. After the department realised it didn't have enough contractors in all regions it issued another tender in November 2011.
According to a source in the Assisted Travel Unit, the tendering of placement on an eligibility list every five years was supposed to weed out those defrauding the department and not providing an adequate level of service.
Instead, a number of operators around the state have been left short by the department, either not being awarded contracts or making their contracts financially unviable. These honest operators have been shafted while corrupt organisations such as Carenne Support Limited and Capebase have been rewarded.
Carenne Support, an organisation which has ripped off the former SNTS program, has refused to transport certain students, is under investigation by the ICAC, had a director assault a former employee, failed to comply with company law, has ripped off its employees and allowed staff to assault students has been awarded three runs this year, while Capebase, another organisation who defrauded the department has been awarded at least 25 through-out NSW.
One parent with a student on Capebase's Blayney run was contacted on Sunday and told her daughter couldn't attend school today because an escort could not be found and would not be able to travel on transport ordinarily provided by the department until one was found. There has been a long-standing problem getting escorts, which are paid just over $12 per hour.
The problems with the assisted school travel program are long-standing and all aspects of it should be reviewed.
Thursday, January 19, 2012
ASIC should charge Mary Housler
Back in December I reported that Carenne Support and Mary Housler (the company secretary) had breached federal law by failing to lodge financial statements on time, an offence carrying a six month jail sentence or $3,125 fine. Carenne Support had until 30 October to file its statements.
At the time, Mary Housler, a cadet accountant at WKH Bathurst claimed that Carenne Support wasn't required to lodge financial statements and that she wouldn't be doing so "for the likes of Brian and Nathan Carter to use against us in court and for them to be plastered all over this blog."
It would appear that the woman who aspires to be an accountant but cannot comply with company law has received some advice that this was in fact true, as on 13 January 2012 financial statements were lodged by Carenne Support with ASIC.
It's time that organisations such as Carenne Support which beg for public money are accountable for their actions and this site calls on ASIC to charge Mary Housler as a deterrence to others.
It's yet another example of the incompetence of the Carenne Support organisation and how it reacts to stories on this blog.
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Another Carenne Support director and questionable business practices
Carenne Gate can reveal that Carenne Support director and bank employee Paul Knight has been 
engaging in questionable business practices on Internet auction site eBay. On the site, Knight uses the name slater2703.
Back in July, Knight posted the name of a buyer as feedback, calling them a "wanker". After being mentioned on this blog, Knight has set his feedback profile to private so it is no longer available to be read by other users. This shows that Knight has something to hide.
Knight isn't the only Carenne Support director caught out engaging in questionable business practices, with Geoff Salmon's company wound up for being in excess of $6.1 million in debt.
engaging in questionable business practices on Internet auction site eBay. On the site, Knight uses the name slater2703.
Back in July, Knight posted the name of a buyer as feedback, calling them a "wanker". After being mentioned on this blog, Knight has set his feedback profile to private so it is no longer available to be read by other users. This shows that Knight has something to hide.Knight isn't the only Carenne Support director caught out engaging in questionable business practices, with Geoff Salmon's company wound up for being in excess of $6.1 million in debt.
Friday, December 16, 2011
Robyn Graham abuses student
Despite being under close scrutiny, staff associated with Carenne Special School in Bathurst continue to act inappropriately, unprofessionally and worst of all - continue to abuse children. Carenne Gate has learned of an incident involving Robyn Graham, wife of Dave Graham and escort on Carenne Support's Lithgow run at the end of November.
Without approval from the Special Transport Unit, and while claiming for running two buses, at the end of November Dave Graham combined the Lithgow and Kelso runs and performed it himself, with his wife as escort.
During the run, Robyn Graham hit an indigenous student across the face and forcefully held him to the seat while using racial slurs to refer to the student. When the student became agitated, Mrs Graham threatened to sit on him to ensure he remained seated. The student's parent noticed bruises on his arm that afternoon and asked Mrs Graham what had happened. She told the parent that he wouldn't remain in his seat so she restrained him.
One of the students on the bus then began to tell the parent what had happened and spoke of the language used by Mrs Graham towards the student.
The incident was reported to Bathurst Police, who advised that the school would need to look into the matter. A complaint was made to Neil Moon, who promised to look into the incident but as usual with child protection complaints at Carenne nothing appears to have been done. It appears to be Mr Moon's practice to drag these matters on so the evidence is destroyed or the complainant goes away. In this case, the parent took photographs of the bruises on their child's body as evidence of the attack.
Frighteningly, Mrs Graham remains as a SNTS escort on Carenne Support's Lithgow run.
According to Barracus and nedkelly, staff at Carenne were briefed about the incident by Neil Moon and told to say nothing if interviewed by Police or staff from EPAC.
It's time that the authorities get real and take action about the continued abuse being suffered by students at Carenne Special School.
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
UPDATE: Mary Housler and Carenne Support breach company law
Yesterda
y I reported that Carenne Support, the corrupt organisation at the centre of the Carenne Gate Affair hadn't lodged it's financial statements with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission in an attempt to hide its financial position from the general public.
In my article I wrote that it was optional for Carenne Support to lodge financial statements, but it was correctly pointed out by one of our readers that I was wrong.
I am not the only person who was wrong, with Mary Housler, company secretary of Carenne Support claiming:
Those wishing to report the matter should contact ASIC on 1300 300 630.
y I reported that Carenne Support, the corrupt organisation at the centre of the Carenne Gate Affair hadn't lodged it's financial statements with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission in an attempt to hide its financial position from the general public.In my article I wrote that it was optional for Carenne Support to lodge financial statements, but it was correctly pointed out by one of our readers that I was wrong.
I am not the only person who was wrong, with Mary Housler, company secretary of Carenne Support claiming:
"There is no requirement for us to send them to ASIC and have them placed on the public record for the likes of Brian and Nathan Carter to use against us in court and for them to be plastered all over this blog.Due to its status as a deductibe gift recipient, Carenne Support is required under company law to lodge an annual report with ASIC no later than four months after the end of its financial year (or 30 October 2011). Failing to lodge on time is a criminal offence with a maximum penalty of six months jail or a $3,125 fine and both the company secretary and company itself can be charged.
It's about time you c---s realise that you have no right to know anything about Carenne Support."
Those wishing to report the matter should contact ASIC on 1300 300 630.
Carenne Support's latest transport breach
Carenne Support has once again been caught out breaching the rules of the Special Needs Transport Service while at the same time neglecting a student.
Today, the escort on Carenne Support's Kelso run was observed in the front seat of the vehicle while students requiring an escort were still on board the vehicle. One student in particular is known to run off and needs constant supervision. It is the escort's duty to ensure that this supervision is provided.
Under the rules of the SNTS, escorts are to be seated in the rear of the vehicle as close as possible to the student requiring assistance. They are never to be seated in the front of the vehicle. The driver should not have driven the vehicle without the escort in the correct position.
Carenne Support continues to break the rules without any penalty from the department.
Today, the escort on Carenne Support's Kelso run was observed in the front seat of the vehicle while students requiring an escort were still on board the vehicle. One student in particular is known to run off and needs constant supervision. It is the escort's duty to ensure that this supervision is provided.
Under the rules of the SNTS, escorts are to be seated in the rear of the vehicle as close as possible to the student requiring assistance. They are never to be seated in the front of the vehicle. The driver should not have driven the vehicle without the escort in the correct position.
Carenne Support continues to break the rules without any penalty from the department.
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