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.
Showing posts with label Bonnie Doon Football Club. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bonnie Doon Football Club. Show all posts
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Thursday, May 29, 2008
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
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
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
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.
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.
Monday, May 12, 2008
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.
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.
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