Getting there

Just a quick update: Ken has now found somewhere to live close to his work, and says he had a good day in court Wednesday.

The court gave Ken another two weeks in which to find witnesses to testify on his behalf in his case against the Dept. of Sustainability & Environment.

However, so far no-one in Mansfield is willing to testify, for a variety of reasons.

Some are fearful of losing their jobs. Some just wish Ken would give up. Ken is loath to do so because that would mean he finally has to give up on his dream of getting his family home back.

But at this stage the reality is, that without witnesses, the case will not get up in court.

The good news is that although he won't be able to go back to the family home and life as he knew it in Mansfield, with a place to live and a job, he now has the beginnings of a new life in Melbourne, and is beginning to move forward.

On the AFL front, however, Kens case progresses well. Although the VCFL and VFL are onside, the AFL continues recalcitrant, because they are angry at The RJM Trust and Rob Mitchell for championing Ken's case and insisting they have overall responsibility. But pressure on them is mounting.

Jason Akermanis wrote about the issue of gays in footy on his Herald Sun blog - please take a moment to read it and give him a pat on the back for having the courage to at least talk about the issue.

State Labor MP for Albert Park, Martin Foley, tabled motions inviting the Liberals to join Labor in condemning Jeff Kennetts remarks on Kens case, earning the wrath of Denis Napthine among others. I am reminded of UK politician Dennis Healey, who once said that being attacked by his opposite number on the Tory benches was 'like being savaged by a sheep.' I expect Martin's experience was similar!

Martin Foley's motions read:

this House condemns the former Liberal Premier of Victoria , President of the Hawthorn Football Club and Lord Mayor aspirant ,Jeff Kennett for his recent comments equating the presence of bi-sexual people in community organisations to having a ‘paedophile as a masseur in a football club’;

this House calls upon the Leader of the State Opposition to distance himself from the comments of the former Leader of the Liberal Party attacking our bisexual community and in so doing asks him to note that these types of remarks to the extent to which they go unchallenged can profoundly and adversely impact on the lives of lesbian gay and bi sexual members of our community;

this House calls upon the leader of the Opposition to take a public stand against the type comments and acts of homophobic vilification as reflected in the Former Liberal Leader Jeff Kennett’s comments and to take a step to protect the health and well being of all of those in our community

Please would you also take a moment to thanks Martin for his support martin.foley@parliament.vic.gov.au.

Support has also come from Greens member Sue Pennicuik, and Labor member Steve Herbert. And several Liberal members from both houses have written to me privately asking for more information on homophobia in rural areas, and expressing exasperation at Kennetts ill-thought remarks and his refusal to withdraw them or apologise.

Some of them have also privately congratulated Martin on his motions.

There will be more pressure on the AFL with an imminent announcement this weekend - watch this space.

Good News / Bad News

It's good and bad news for Ken. On the plus side, he now has a job here in Melbourne, so he is at last earning an income again.

Now all he needs is a home. If there's anyone in the Ringwood area who could help, please get in touch.

The bad news is that he is finding it impossible to persuade anyone in Mansfield to testify on his behalf in court. It appears that pressure has been applied behind the scenes and people are fearful of losing their jobs.

So it has been one step forward and one back. Naturally Ken is pleased to be working again, but Kennetts intervention was, as he says, a kick in the guts.

Given this increased pressure on Ken and the lack of support from his former colleagues and neighbours, it's hard to know what to do next.

I'll keep you posted.

Online Poll

Should Jeff Kennett make a public apology to the gay community over his remarks equating gays and paedophiles?

3AW has some great audio of John Michael Hewson talking about this, and the station is running an online polls.

http://www.mytalk.com.au/Pages/default.aspx

Please vote YES - Kennett needs to acknoledge he was wrong, instead of just the current mealy-mouthed "I was taken out of context" nonsense.

As a TV reporter said to me "It's hard to imagine any context that would make his remarks mean anything except what they appear to men."

Ken on Joy this arvo/Ch 7 tonight

I interviewed Ken on Allegro Non Troppo on Joy during the first hour of the show 11-12 noon today, and also Rodney Croome of the Australian Coalition for Equality.
Rodney was able to confirm that Kennett stands by his comments and has confirmed he was not misquoted or taken out of context.
He is now left with nowhere to go except to resign or to withdraw and apologise - not exactly courses of action he is famous for.
Meanwhile Ken is due to be interviewed for Channel 7 news tonight: I'll be on hand to give moral support.

Jeff Kennetts homophobia

http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,24083078-661,00.html
Jeff Kennett gay storm
Article from: Sunday Herald Sun

James Campbell

July 27, 2008 12:00am

EXCLUSIVE: FORMER state premier Jeff Kennett has provoked a gay rights storm by backing a football club that sacked a trainer for being gay.

The Hawthorn president and potential Melbourne lord mayor sparked calls for his sacking after saying Bonnie Doon Football Club was within its rights to sack veteran trainer Ken Campagnolo after it found out he was gay.

"The club felt that once this had been pointed out and you had this gentleman there who was obviously close to young men - massaging young men - it ran an unnecessary risk and that's why it decided it was best that he not perform those duties again. So the club was trying to do the right thing," Mr Kennett said.

"When you are in charge of a group of young boys, as this club was as I understand it, it's got to make sure."

Mr Kennett said it was as if the club had a pedophile trainer.

"It's the same if you have a pedophile there as a masseur, right?"

"And you might say the pedophile would do no damage, but once it was pointed out to you, you have a duty of care to those underage children not to put them in a situation of risk."

He could not guarantee a gay trainer would be welcome at Hawthorn, adding: "I don't know if we've got any.

"I'm just saying at the moment we have a duty of care to our players and staff and you have to make judgments on that. If you don't do it you end up with potential legal liability."

Mr Campagnolo is fighting the Bonnie Doon Football Club, the AFL and Benalla and District Football League in the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal over his 2007 sacking.

On Friday, the AFL failed in a bid to have his complaint against it struck out, with the tribunal ruling the matter must go to mediation.

Mr Campagnolo said he was appalled by Mr Kennett's remarks.

"I am not a pedophile. Does that mean every straight male doctor cannot treat any female patient?" he said.

Rodney Croome, of the Australian Coalition for Equality, said: "Jeff Kennett should immediately step aside from his role in Beyond Blue."

Update - Kennet steps in

UPDATE: the AFL has tried yet again to have Kens case against them thrown out but failed.

Ken has finally found a new job in Melbourne starting Monday and is looking for somewhere to live.

And keep an eye out for the Herald Sun this weekend as Jeff Kennet makes a dramtic intervention in the case.

VCAT Today

Just a quick note to say that Kens case(s) relating to the footy club and AFL will be on at VCAT today. Mainstream press are likely to attend. As you may know from the gay press, and radio, the AFL have been sending out mixed signals, basically claiming they mean well but would rather follow than lead on the issue of sexual orientation discrimination.
More soom

VCFL to Extend its Discrimination Policies

The country football fraternity, along with parts of the broader general public of Victoria, would be aware through wide media coverage of the Ken Campagnolo case.

Mr Campagnolo was a sports trainer for the Bonnie Doon FC for several years until his employment was terminated by the club in April 2007 under the allegation by Mr Campagnolo that the club's reason for termination was because of his sexual orientation.

As a consequence of the of the action of the Bonnie Doon FC, Mr Campagnolo lodged a Statement of Complaint against various parties to the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission alleging 'discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation in the areas of clubs and goods and services and victimisation pursuant to the Equal Opportunity Act 1995 (Vic).'

Two of the parties that had Statements of Complaint issued against them were the Victorian Country Football League (VCFL) and their Chief Executive Officer, Glenn Scott.

Mr. Scott, representing himself and the VCFL, met with Mr Campagnolo recently at the VEO and HRC and the matter was settled.

Without any admission of liability the VCFL wishes to advise the following:

"The VCFL strongly reject all acts and notions of discrimination throughout all levels of community football and netball and the very communities these clubs represent.

The discrimination at the centre of this matter, sexual orientation discrimination, as with all forms of discrimination, is totally unacceptable.

The VCFL Board are committed to the formulating of appropriate policies (including complaints and disciplinary procedures) as well as appropriate training programs, including sexual orientation discrimination in the coming months.

The training and delivering of the messages contained in the policies will follow the same regularity as that of existing discrimination policies of the VCFL."

As a result of the meeting with the VCFL and Glenn Scott, Mr Campagnolo agrees to release both the VCFL and Glenn Scott from any action or claim arising out of the allegations of discrimination and/or harassment.

*End of Statement*

Glenn Scott

Chief Executive Officer

WorkSafe Victoria Country Football League

Bent TV Special

Bent TV did an extended interview with Ken on Saturday for a one-hour special to be aired on Channel 31 and YouTube. The team plan to travel to Mansfield and interview some of the other people involved. No date has yet been fixed for transmission.
In other news, Anne Mitchell of Gay & Lesbian Health Victoria, Nick Tollhurst of Beyond Blue, Rob Mitchell and Doug Pollard of the RJM Trust met with the board of the Victorian Country Football League at the MCG Friday.
Ann gave an impressive presentation outlining the research on the impact of homophobia on young people, especially in rural areas.
The board reacted very positively and are keen to work with the gay community on developing programs within country football to tackle the issue. Further contacts are planned in the near future. Expect to hear more on this soon.
Of course, while all very positive for the future, this doesn't help Ken's current situation, and that still needs urgent improvement.
As mentioned elsewhere, Kens next hearing regarding his cases against the Department of Sustainbility and Environment has been postponed to September. This is disappointing but unavoidable, as the DSE case is the main game and the sooner we can reach a resolution the better.
Meanwhile thanks to all of you who have donated to help Ken: for those of you who haven't, the details of the bank account are at the top left of this page. And if anyone can help with accommodation and work for Ken, preferably but not necessarily in the Mansfield area, please get in touch.

MCV today

There's an update today in MCV and in bnews, following the weekend piece in the Herald Sun and Mondays excellent piece in the Age.
With the AFL now staryting tio swing into line, the focus needs to shift to busting the entrenched homophobia that appears to hold sway in certain parts of high country DSE.

Good News Week

Well, Ken is certainly making the news this week - not just in MCV and bnews, but also in the Sunday Herald Sun and today in the Age. His case has also caught US interest, making the news bulletins of US gay satellite radio station Sirius OutQ 149. Today sees a conciliation hearing at VEOHRC with representatives of the AFL attending.
It seems like we're on track to get all levels of footy to take sexual orientation discrimination seriously at last.
The main problem, however, remains the DSE, with all the pollies siting on their hands, and a hearing date now postponed to September. This is due to the illness of the conciliator, not any sinister motive, but as you can imagine, it has Ken pretty depressed.
But we're heartened by the win Gary Burns has had against John Laws and Steve Price up in Sydney, although a bit dismayed that it took five years to get it.
We hope the DSE will start to see some sense long before September, come down off their high horse, and start volunteering to resolve this issue. We'll certainly be encouraging them to do so.
Thanks for your donations (see bank a/c details at the top of the page) - they will help us pay some of Kens bills (mobile phone to stay in touch, petrol to get to hearings in Melbourne etc.) which are eally difficult on Centrelink benefit alone.

AFL rattled

The AFL is trying to duck responsibility for discrimination in the VCFL and keep out of Ken's case.

It's told the human rights commission that it's anti-discrimination policies only apply to AFL players and administrators - but the policy says it also applies to "affiliated state bodies" such as the VCFL.

The Sunday Herald Sun reports that "Next week there is a meeting, which will be attended by AFL representatives, to discuss the issues Ken Campagnolo had with this country football club and his complaint.

"The CEO of the organisation is not required to attend."

Donate for Ken!

Ken Campagnolo Fund Launched

Many people have asked what they can do to help Ken while he battles to win his rights. In response the RJM Trust has now set up a special fund where you can deposit money to help and support Ken.

Donations will only be used to help Ken practically and directly, not for campaigning. Make your donation to:

R J M Trust Ken Campagnolo Fund
St George Bank South Melbourne
BSB 113-879
A/c No.: 429044701

And please email me with your details so we can keep our records in order, and also say thank you!!

Thanks you all for your help, support and above all the encouragement, which Ken really appreciates. He has already has a win with the Victorian Country Football League, and negotiations are now beginning with the VFL and AFL. We will win through but in the meantime Ken needs all the help he can get.

His home has now been repossessed and will shortly be put up for auction to meet his debts. As a distress sale it’s unlikely to make full market value, which only adds to the injustice. We’ll keep you posted.

Doug Pollard
RJM Trust

VCFL Update - press

Both bnews and MCV carry the news of Ken's win over the Victorian Country Football League this week.

The next step will be a presentation to the VCFL board by community representatives from the RJM Trust, Gay & Lesbian Health Victoria and others.

“It is a substantial step forward,” said Rob Mitchell of the RJM Trust, who is assisting Campagnolo. “This will have a huge impact on same-sex attracted youth in country areas; something like 85% of the abuse that occurs happens in a sporting or a school context, and in a country area the two are very much intertwined.”

"There needs to be a clear and consistent message by the administration that it [homophobia] is not ok," Mr Mitchell says.

"The issue needs to raised front and centre and dealt with in the same way as racial vilification. Players need to be looked after and kept safe."

The VCFL covers around 80 leagues, with approximately 100,000 players across Victoria.

Bisexual man evicted

Bisexual man evicted

Wednesday, 04 June 2008

Rachel Cook - MCV Mansfield football trainer, Ken Campagnolo, who has been unable to gain employment since being outed, has now been evicted from his family home. “I am not able to go to my home and I can be charged with trespass,” Campagnolo told MCV. “I asked the local shire for help but they have no emergency housing in Mansfield.” Campagnolo was outed as bisexual by a work colleague while working as a forest contractor for the Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE). He has consequently suffered homophobic harassment, including being stood down as a volunteer trainer with the Bonnie Doon Football Club due to fears of a backlash from the parents of children playing at the club, despite there being no suggestion he was a sexual predator. Campagnolo claims he has suffered years of verbal abuse from fellow DSE workers. He also alleges a DSE Manager told him: “You can fight the fires for free but you will never get a job with DSE because you are a poof.” His case of discrimination on the basis of sexuality against the DSE has been dismissed twice by the Victorian Civil Administrate Tribunal (VCAT), but is now due to be heard a third time. “DSE have launched another strike out application, their third,” said Rob Mitchell, of the RJM Trust, a philanthropic organisation set up assist people who have suffered sexuality-motivated discrimination. “Why keep trying to strike the case out? Because they can. When you are a government department with, to all intents and purposes, unlimited financial power and legal resources why wouldn’t you?”

Ken Needs a Job Urgently

From: Bi-Victoria@... On Behalf Of James Dominguez

Heya all

For those who haven't been following Ken Campagnolo's story, he lived
happily as a seasonal firefighter and football trainer in rural Victoria for
years with people thinking he was gay. He was outed as bisexual by a DSE
manager, and then told he would not be re-hired for the seasonal firefighter
work. When he challenged this, the legal proceedings became public
knowledge and he was sacked from his footy training job specifically for
being bisexual - the intimation is that being bisexual he is obviously a
potential paedophile and should not be allowed to work with teenage boys.

He has been fighting these sackings in the courts and through the Equal
Opportunity Commission, but things aren't going as hoped and the bank
foreclosed on his mortgage. Last weekend the sheriff's officers turned up,
threw him out of his home, changed the locks, and told him he would be
traspassing if he returned without permission.

I had a chat with Ken on the phone this morning, and he's struggling,
currently sleeping in a tent beside his ute. He tells me, though, that
things would be a lot better if he could just get some work, refinance his
mortgage, and get back into his home. All he needs is some modest regular
income and he can have his home back.

So, this is a general call-out, especially to rural Victoria around the
Mansfield and Bonnie Doon areas. Do you know of some work going in the
area? Ken is a formally trained sports trainer with sports medicine
training, as well as an experience in firefighting. That said, he tells me
he isn't too proud to put in some manual labour. Obviously a queer-friendly
or at least queer-tolerant environment would be essential.

Please rack your brains and suggest anything at all that might be suitable.
Ken really is desperate, and with winter setting in he needs to get back
into his home.

If you can suggest anything at all, please get in touch.

Now Homeless - here's why

Ken rang me Friday to tell me that the mortgage company have foreclosed on him and changed the locks on his family home. He is now homeless and jobless, and forced to rely on his military survival skills.

He says he has made up his swag and a ration pack, and is OK for now, but he's obviously very shaken by the experience of being thrown out of the home he's lived in since he was born. He says - with his usual gallows humour - he's now Australia's newest street kid.

To recap for those who don't understand how this could happen:-

Ken went public with his story after enduring years of taunting and discrimination because of his sexuality.

As a result of Kens sexuality being made known in the press (it was already known privately to most people locally, including footy club officials and members), Bonnie Doon football club removed him as a trainer.

They said they did so because parents would be worried having Ken around underage boys, and this might affect recruitment. This led to Ken being called a paedophile and spat at in the streets of Mansfield (see previous posts).

Mud sticks, unfortunately, and although the club accepts there is no suggestion Ken is or was ever a paedophile, nor have here ever been any complaints against him, the damage has been done. BDFC have so far refused to make a public apology or retraction.

Ken was replaced as trainer at Bonnie Doon by one of the senior managers from the local DSE, who he alleges was responsible for much of the taunting he has endured, and for blocking his attempts to gain paid employment with them. The same local DSE recently made a sizeable cash gift to the club.

Al this meant Ken could no longer get work. He used to earn a living, not as a fireman, but as a forest contractor for DSE and other local forestry employers (and employed people himself). The DSE will no longer do business with him now that he has gone public with his story.

People who used to work alongside him fear to associate with him and have been warned not speak to the media about the situation. Other potential employers will not touch him, because places like Mansfield are tight-knit communities and people are unwilling to offend the DSE and in particular the local DSE management. It is, after all, a high fire-risk area.

As regards the tribunal, the process is playing out with regards to both the DSE and Bonnie Doon football club. The DSE have repeatedly refused to do anything other than request the case be thrown out as groundless. They have employed every possible blocking and delaying tactic, hoping to wear Ken down.

Local politicians, including Tony Lupton, David Davis, Gavin Jennings (the Minister responsible) and others have been approached by the RJM Trust on Kens behalf but have declined to meet with us or to assist, saying that the matter is being handled and please let us know how the
tribunal turns out. This is of no help to Ken, of course.

Ken had been reduced to ekeing out a living selling firewood, but the last time he came down to Melbourne for a tribunal hearing, he returned to Mansfield to find his entire stockpile had been set alight in his absence.

As the old saying goes, "there's no proof, but I've lost sixpence and you're eating lollies."

Today Tonight sniffed around the story a while back but lost interest. Maybe A Current Affair will pick it up.

Ken is homeless at the onset of winter. It's going to be a long cold wait for him till the tribunal grinds out a conclusion - see previous posts for a timeline.

Thanks for any practical help any of you can offer - it will be much appreciated. Please feel free to ask if there is any more information you would like or if you can help Ken in any way.

The RJM Trust, for which I work, is providing Ken with legal representation in all his cases against both BDFC and DSE.

Doug

Homophobia Hypocrisy

Yesterday a seminar was held at Mansfield Town Hall, led by Sue Hackney of rural gay youth outreach program Way Out.
The seminar was supported by shire mayor Marg Attley. She said it took a whole community working together to change and stop nurturing homophobic attitudes. Great words. However, she has not lifted a finger to help the most visible victim of homophobia in her town, Ken Campagnolo.
When confronted by questioners she could not explain why the council had made no efforts to help Ken in his struggle with the DSE and the Bonnie Doon football club.
When reporters from the paper later attempted to question her on the issue they were told she had gone to Melbourne for three days - although it is reported that she was in the next room at the time, and could be glimpsed through a glass door.
Efforts to combat homophobia in rural areas and save young people from isolation and self-harm will founder unless local community organisations such as the football and netball clubs are front and centre in the effort.
Instead Ken, who trained many young footballers over the years, continues to suffer without any support from the local politicians who pay lip service to the notion of combatting prejudice.

Mansfield Courier

Complaints of discrimination

Written by RICHARD JAGO.

FORMER trainer with the Bonnie Doon Football Club, Ken Campagnolo,
who claimed he was dismissed from his position with the club a year ago
on account of his sexuality, is seeking to have his day in court.

The bisexual volunteer trainer and sometime firefighter has lodged
10 complaints of discrimination with the Victorian Equal Opportunity
and Human Rights Commission.

The complaints cite the AFL, the Victorian Country Football League,
the Benalla and District Football League and the Bonnie Doon Football
Club (BDFC).

Mr Campagnolo is seeking formal apologies and the opportunity to
clear his name, which he believed has been tarnished by his dismissal
as a trainer.

A complaint against the Department of Sustainability and Environment
(DSE) relating to Mr Campagnolo’s claimed inability to regain
employment with the organisation on account of his sexual orientation
is before the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal.

An article in the Mansfield Courier in April last year started a
train of interest in Mr Campagnolo’s case, including the attention of
several leading lights.

Local politicians, Sophie Mirabella (MHR, Indi) and Kaye Darveniza
(Member for Northern Victoria) expressed interest in the case, the
latter forwarding the correspondence to Attorney General Rob Hulls.

Former Victorian premier, Jeff Kennett, called both Mr Campagnolo
and president of the BDFC, Terry Dale, in an attempt to mediate, but
without result.

When approached by the Mansfield Courier this month, Mr Dale said he
was unaware of any complaint lodged with the Victorian Equal
Opportunity and Human Rights Commission and declined to comment.

The AFL has a detailed member protection policy designed to provide
a working environment where all employees are treated fairly and
equitably and are not subjected to unlawful discrimination or sexual
harassment.

But when the the Mansfield Courier asked the AFL legal department
last year whether any action arising from the allegations was
contemplated, it was advised that no action would be taken.

Mr Campagnolo has claimed publicity surrounding his departure from
the BDFC and public statements by the DSE have meant he has been unable
to obtain work of any kind in the district and is now close to losing
his house.

When quizzed about his intentions in raising the complaints, Mr
Campagnolo said he wanted to have his name cleared from any
presumptions within the public arena that may disparage his character.

"It is illegal in Australia to sack a person because of his
sexuality - I’ve given them 12 months to do something - they’ve done
nothing and now I want action," he said.

"But I don’t want to see the BDFC hurt in any way - I’d rather
not seek compensation from the club, it’s the AFL and VCFL that set the
rules."

Mr Campagnolo is being assisted with legal representation by
country-based philanthropist, Robert Mitchell, who has set up a trust
to assist people who have suffered sexuality-motivated discrimination.

Mr Mitchell said he wants to see discrimination in rural clubs
reversed by following the very successful AFL anti-racial
discrimination model.

"The AFL needs to expand this model to stop discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation too," he said.

"It requires leadership to achieve this.

"The ‘A’ in ‘AFL’ means everyone gets a fair go - that’s the Australian thing."

Quick update

I will make a more detailed post later, but it appears matters are finally moving in Ken Campagnolo's fight.
At a recent VEOHRC hearing the Bonnie Doon Football Club (BDFC) were not prepared to make a public apology to Ken for the hurt and harm caused as a result of their sacking him as a trainer.
But at the direction of the commission, the RJM Trust is now working on a draft public apology for the BDFC, VCFL, VFL and AFL to sign. This will form the basis of further negotiations.
Ken is not seeking compensation, only the restoration of his good name and reputation, and reinstatement at the club in his former position.
The Mansfield Courier has today published a full account of his case, and tomorrow Sue Hackney of rural gay youth outreach group Way Out will hold a two hour information session on the impact of homophobia at Mansfield Town Hall, supported by the Mayor.

Handled appropriately

The state government says Kens case against the Department of Sustainability & Environment is being properly dealt with. Cabinet Secretary Tony Lupton told the RJM Trust he had looked into the matter at their request and was 'satisfied' it was being 'handled appropriately', but did not go into details.

Meanwhile Ken's case against the Bonnie Doon football club, which sacked him as sports trainer after the Herald Sun published the story of his battle with the DSE, comes before the Victorian Equal Opportunity & Human Rights Commission again tomorrow.

When first interviewed by bnews the president of the club admitted he was breaking discrimination law but claimed he had no choice because of a possible backlash from the parents of some of the clubs teenage players.

What are they afraid of?

News has just come to hand that the Department of Sustainability and Environment is making a fresh application to have Ken's case struck out without a hearing.
This has all the hallmarks of the standard tactic used by bullies who know they are on shaky ground, but believe they have greater resources than the other side - wear the little man down and exhaust his resources by continual objection, so that the case never receives a full hearing and the strength or otherwise of their defence is never exposed.
One wonders why DSE are so anxious to avoid scrutiny of their actions and the testing of their evidence in open hearing. What have they got to hide?
They have already tried to pressure witnesses not to appear on Kens behalf: now it would appear they don't want any of their own to appear either.
What have they got to hide?

Who is Ken Campagnolo?

Ken Campagnolo is a typical Aussie country bloke. He still lives in what was the family home. He’s served his country in the armed forces. A forestry worker and fire-fighter for much of his civilian life, he’s held a forest operators licence for 19 years. He has certificates in fighting wildfires and plantation fires, tree seed collection, tree-felling, 4-wheel driving, using chainsaws and explosives, and more.

Skilled firefighter
His skills and abilities as a fire-fighter have long been recognised. Since 1996 he’s worked as a Project Fire-fighter for the Department of Sustainability and Environment (1996-8), and for Hancock Plantations (1998-2002). He’s worked as a contractor for the Department on many occasions over the years.

In 1998 a DSE magazine published his team leaders account of Kens actions during a fire, praising his skills and his strength. In 2002 a DSE duty operator put him in charge of three CFA units fighting a fire. In 2006 he was on bulldozer support, helping fight the fires in Mansfield/Mount Buller, under DSE direction and control.

Knocked back by DSE
But since February 1998 – when his position as Project Fire-fighter for the DSE was terminated because of a decision to reduce numbers due to “lack of work” – his applications for a job with the Department have been repeatedly knocked back.

Finally, in October 2004 DSE told him they wouldn’t give him a job because of his “unsafe work practices”. He was “not a team player”, with an “unsatisfactory attitude.”

Yet this man with alleged “unsafe working practices” was working for them under contract at the time, had been repeatedly employed by them as a contractor for years; under those contracts, as DSE knew, he employed others to work under his supervision; this man who was “not a team player” fought fires alongside their staff; this man with an “unsatisfactory attitude” was placed in control of CFA units during a fire by a DSE duty officer; and as late as 2006 was still helping fight fires under their direction and control.

"Because you're a poof"
It was during those 2006 fires that Ken was given another reason – perhaps the real reason - why he couldn’t get a job. As he was leaving the Delatite Hotel in Mansfield after a meal with his fellow fire-fighters, he says a DSE manager told him “you can fight the fires for free but you will never get a job with DSE because you are a poof”.

Ken & Barbie
Ken identifies as bisexual, but this hadn’t been generally known until the DSE staff Christmas party 1997, when that same DSE manager gave him a Barbie doll – singled him out, the only adult to receive a gift. The gift was given in front of the other workers, their families, children and some members of the public. And remarks were made about his sexuality.

Ken says that for years afterwards, Barbie dolls were frequently attached to his locker – a play on ‘Ken & Barbie’, they now say. But no other Ken was mocked this way.

Many times while working in the forests for Hancocks or on DSE contracts this same man – along with other DSE staff - drove by, calling him a poofter. When Ken employed others to work with him on DSE contracts, this same man and his cronies publicly referred to them as “The Pink Brigade.”

Despite numerous complaints, nothing was ever done about this harassment.

Fighting back
Finally, in 2007, Ken went public. His stories were confirmed by colleagues and others in the town of Mansfield.

He took his case to the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission. Ken could not afford legal representation, and so because of flaws in his submission, it was rejected, but has now that he has proper legal support, it’s been reinstated by VCAT.

The harassment goes on
Meanwhile the harassment continues. Ken has always worked in the community, doing volunteer jobs, including trainer and on field medic with Bonniedoone football club for many years. When his story became public, he was sacked, his place taken by one of his alleged tormentors.

He has been denied work. He has been spat at on the street. He has been called a paedophile. His reputation, as a person and as a skilled firefighter and forestry worker, has been trashed.

Manfield Courier

DSE in denial
The DSE refuses to apologise, refuses to compensate Ken, continues to insist that his story is a complete fabrication, that none of this ever happened. They say they have “no record” of him fighting fires with them. They want the case struck out Meanwhile, Ken battles on.

What next?
At a VCAT directions hearing Monday the following timeline was set in place by Judge Harbison:

1. Ken’s witness statements by 30 July 2008.

2. DSE’s submissions re strike out application by 30 August 2008.

3. Ken’s submissions re strike out application by 4 September 2008.

5. Hearing of strike out application on 9 September 2008.

4. Directions hearing on 29 September 2008.

Ken is supported in his fight by the RJM Trust - if you'd like to help, contact Doug ozbearion@lycos.com

Story from Sydney Star Observer

Country firie's luck turns Bisexual country firefighter Ken Campagnolo has finally had a win at the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal. In February 2007 Melbourne’s bnews told the story of the Mansfield volunteer firefighter Ken Campagnolo who claimed he was refused a job as a firefighter because of his sexuality and had been subjected to vilification and harassment for many years. He alleged his local manager at the Department of Sustainability and the Environment (DSE) told him, “You’re welcome as a volunteer to fight fires for free, but you’ll never work for us because you’re a poof.” After he went public with his accusations, he was dumped as sports trainer for Bonnie Doon footy club, after being a trainer there and at Mansfield for almost 16 years. Campagnolo’s complaints were rejected by the Equal Opportunity Commission, no-one would employ him, and he came close to losing his home. But with the support of a sympathetic gay businessman Campagnolo appealed and, in a stunning turnaround this week, the Victorian Civil Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) reinstated his case against the DSE. “[DSE] said it was a total fallacy and wanted it struck out but [the tribunal] wouldn’t have a bar of it,” Campagnolo said. The Tribunal also ordered the parties to go to mediation over the DSE’s strenuous objections; flatly rejected the DSE’s claim that they had no case to answer, and tossed out DSE’s request for an order for costs against Campagnolo. But Campagnolo isn’t celebrating just yet. He’s mindful of how tough it’s been to get this far. “Well, it’s not too bad. The ball’s still in play,” he told bnews. Campagnolo now has a month in which to file a revised statement of claim with the Equal Opportunity Commission.

From Sunday Herald Sun 1

Sue Hewitt

February 11, 2007 12:00am

AN experienced firefighter claims the State Government refuses to hire him because he is bisexual.

He alleges a Department of Sustainability and Environment manager told him he would never get a job again because "you're a poof".

Ken Campagnolo had worked as a paid seasonal firefighter for the department until the manager allegedly "outed" him four years ago.

He claims the manager gave him a Barbie doll at a department Christmas party in front of colleagues and their families.

Since then, Mr Campagnolo's annual applications for seasonal firefighting have been rejected.

Mr Campagnolo said he is taking the matter to the state Equal Opportunity Commission.

He said a DSE manager told him he was rejected because of a poor work ethic.

"This is blatantly untrue," he said. "The manager had told me, 'You'll never get a job because you're a poof'," he said.

Jenny Singleton, human resources director of the DSE said Mr Campagnolo's recent application was unsuccessful "based on his previous employment history with DSE".

"DSE is an equal opportunity employer, selects employees on merit,and treats any complaints of sexual discrimination very seriously," MsSingleton said.

The DSE manager who allegedly "outed" Mr Campagnolo did not return calls.

A former employer, who did not want to be named, said Mr Campagnolo was a good worker.

"Ken's as strong as an ox." the former boss said.

Another former supervisor said "Ken has a good work ethic".

A DSE worker who publicly supported Mr Campagnolo, saying he witnessed the Barbie doll incident, is believed to have been threatened with dismissal.

From Sunday Herald Sun

Anthony Black

April 22, 2007 12:00am

A FOOTBALL trainer claims he has been sacked because he is bisexual.

Ken Campagnolo said he was considering lodging a complaint with the state Equal Opportunity Commission after his 16-year involvement was terminated two weeks ago.

He said his bisexuality had been known to Bonnie Doon Football Club for many years.

But he said the club had fired him after his bisexuality became public knowledge.

Earlier, Mr Campagnolo told newspapers the State Department of Sustainability and Environment would not hire him as a firefighter because he was a "poof". The department denied the allegations.

Mr Campagnolo said Bonnie Doon Football Club president Terry Dale told him he was still welcome at the club, but not as a trainer to the seniors, reserves and under-17s.

"Because I'm a bisexual, the club is implying I'm a pedophile, and I categorically deny that," he said.

Mr Dale said Mr Campagnolo's bisexuality had not been common knowledge until earlier this year. He said he had acted after other people expressed concerns about Mr Campagnolo's role as a trainer.

Story from bnews

Bisexual firefighter burned

Wednesday, 18 April 2007 Story from bnews

by DOUG POLLARD The Mansfield firefighter who says he couldn’t get a job with the Department of Sustainability & Environment (DSE) because of his sexuality has now been dumped by his local footy club. Ken Campagnolo said a DSE manager told him last year he would never get a paid job as a firefighter “because you’re a poof”, though he was welcome as a volunteer. His complaint has been accepted by the Victorian Equal Opportunity & Human Rights Commission. He was also publicly outed at a firefighters’ Christmas party, when he was presented with a Barbie doll by Santa (Trial by Fire, bnews 158). Now he has been dumped as sports trainer for Bonniedoon footy club. Campagnolo has been a trainer there and at Mansfield for almost 16 years. When he turned up for the first training session of the year last week, club president Terry Dale told him he could no longer be a trainer because of what had been written about him in the press. When asked to explain, Dale told bnews he never had any concerns until the story ran in the Herald Sun and local papers, identifying Campagnolo as bisexual. “It’s pretty hard when the under-17s are training down there, parents would get a bit uptight if Kenny was training down there with them,” he said. But he admitted that Campagnolo had never given any cause for concern in all the years he worked with the club, including with the under-17s. “I felt very sorry about nipping it in the bud the way I did, but that’s the way it is,” he said. “You could probably call that a little bit of discrimination, but there’s other work he can do around the club, because we like volunteers,” he said. Campagnolo says he personally told Dale, and all the team managers about his sexuality years ago, including those managing the under-17 teams, and they were unconcerned. “Terry Dale was told, in person, as was Ray Robinson of the Mansfield team, around the time of the Barbie doll incident ten years ago,” said Campagnolo. “Terry once lived on the same street as me, everyone in town knows about me, you can’t hide something like that after you’ve been outed in front of 70 people,” he said. Dale flatly denied he was ever told. Campagnolo said he was very hurt by Dale’s action, which made it seem as if he was a paedophile, but the team members had been very supportive. “When I told them Terry said I couldn’t be there [at training] because of what’d been in the paper, they all said it was bullshit.” John Ronke, area president of the Victorian Country Football League, agreed he knew Campagnolo well, and his sexuality was common knowledge. “I taught him,” he said, “He was a bit if a larrikin at school – typical redhead.” Glenn, the owner of sports website gayfooty.com said it only showed how much further we had to go to gain acceptance in the sport. “I find the ultimate hypocrisy in the footy club still wanting him around because they need members, but he can’t have anything to do with the players,” he said. “This attitude in grassroots football will go a long way towards keeping gay footballers in the closet.” Meanwhile, on Saturday Campagnolo discovered that his replacement as trainer at Bonnie Doone is the local boss of the DSE, Phil Savage.

Story from bnews

TRIAL BY FIRE

As the bush burns, an experienced firefighter is told he can battle the blazes for free,but he’ll never get a paid job with Mansfield DSE “because you’re a poof”.

Bnews 08 Feb 2007

by DOUG POLLARD

Mansfield resident Ken Campagnolo claims he is being excluded from a paid firefighting position because of his sexuality.

Campagnolo has been a member of a fire crew for the Department of Conservation & Natural Resources, and for Hancock Victorian Plantations, as well as a volunteer firefighter with the CFA. He has worked for the Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) as a seasonal project firefighter, but for the last four years, he says they won’t consider him.

“When I asked my local manager he said ‘you’re welcome as a volunteer to fight fires for free, but you’ll never work for us because you’re a poof’,” says Campagnolo, who identifies as bisexual.

The last time he worked as a project fireman four years ago, he was outed by the same manager in front of co-workers, their wives and children, at the Christmas break-up party. When Santa handed out the kids’ Christmas presents, he also handed Campagnolo a Barbie doll.

Dozer driver Kevin Holland, who witnessed the event, said he – along with many others – wasn’t aware of Campagnolo’s sexuality beforehand. Holland says there has been a smear campaign, with rumours being spread that Campagnolo is lazy, which he says is untrue. “He’s a good worker,” said Holland.

However, when Campagnolo received notification that his application for paid seasonal work with the Mansfield DSAE was rejected, he queried it with the DSE. He received a response that claimed his application was rejected because of several shortcomings: undertaking unsafe work practices, inability to function as a team player and an unsatisfactory attitude.

A former employer, Jim Walker, District Forester with Hancocks, says there was no problem with Campagnolo’s work ethic. “We don’t take any notice of creed, religion, anything else: so long as you do your days work that’s all that matters to us, and he did his work well enough.”

Campagnolo said he also made a verbal complaint to the DSE’s head office regarding the comments made to him and his belief that he had been discriminated against on the basis of sexuality. He was told that his information would be passed on to a supervisor.

Jenny Singleton, DSE human resources director said: “Though DSE has not received an official complaint in this matter, any subsequent complaints we receive will be thoroughly investigated. DSE is an equal opportunity employer and treats any complaints of sexual discrimination very seriously.” bnews was unable to reach the manager who made the comments to Campagnolo.

Campagnolo says friends he worked alongside fighting fires still drop by for coffee and can’t understand why he can’t get a look-in. “I’ve got mates who are bitching they won’t hire this bloke we want working alongside us, and they’re hiring 20-year-olds with no experience who don’t know how to fall a tree, when you’ve got 10 years’ experience,” he said.