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