Local News
Bush wallaby attacked by dogs on Belongil beach Aslan Shand
Two dogs attacked a bush wallaby at the ‘no dog area’ of the beach, approximately 250m north of Elements of Byron resort, last Wednesday. ‘As I started towards the beach a wallaby burst out of the dune and about one to two metres behind it were two dogs barking and growling,’ said Steve Medcalf, who walks on the beach every day. The two dogs chased the wallaby into the ocean where they were able to get a hold on it; one of the dogs had it by the ear while the other had it by the throat.
Dogs not at fault Steve headed into the water with a stick yelling out at the dogs who appeared to be border collie/kelpie crosses. One let go and swam back to the beach while the one who had th wallaby by the neck kept a hold.
‘I got the other dog off,’ said Steve who pointed out that ‘it is not the dogs’ fault. It is the people who own the dogs who are responsible.’ The wallaby was being swept north towards Brunswick Heads and Steve realised he needed to get back into the water and save the wallaby. ‘I went out and got him – he was pretty exhausted. Once I got hold of him he was pretty calm. By the time I got him back to shore he was getting pretty heavy.’ With the help of his friend Louis they lay the wallaby on the dune covered with a towel. ‘Then we made sure there were no more dogs in the area.’ They called WIRES and Council to report what had happened. A couple who had stopped to take photos of the rescue told Steve they had seen one of the dogs go into a white van in the car park. ‘I was still furious so I got
Local Steve Medcalf rescued a bush wallaby from dogs near Elements of Byron. Photo David Hancock
Louis and another person and we confronted the man in the van,’ said Steve. ‘We had strong words with him and told him the rangers were on their way.’ It is believed that the owner, a visitor from Vitoria, had three dogs that he had let out to roam while he slept in his van near the beach.
WIRES ‘It is essential for the wellbeing of wildlife that people keep their dogs restrained on beaches,’ said a spokesperson for WIRES. ‘It is very important to remember if you do encounter a wallaby that has been chased into the sea that all at-
tempts are made to minimise stress to the animal. Macropods (wallabies, pademelons and kangaroos) develop a stress response called myopathy that can lead to their death within 2–14 days after the stressful incident. ‘It is natural for us to think that because the dog did not catch the wallaby, no harm has been done. However, the wallaby may still face a painful and slow death. ‘Wallabies can swim quite well, and in some situations a wallaby that has swum out in the sea or a river will find its way back to land. Each situation is different, however, and some wallabies may become exhausted. If it has been pulled from the water then cover it with a towel and move all people and dogs well away from the animal to give it time to recover. Importantly, call WIRES immediately on 6628 1898 so that a specialist rescuer can attend.’
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Allegations of bullying, financial malpractice at FSG Chris Dobney
Some management staff of collapsed disability service provider FSG were paid out in cash before the organisation moved into voluntary administration, according to a whistleblower. And staff are ‘coming out of the woodwork’ with allegations of bullying by managers, the Services Union says. The union’s QLD executive president Jennifer Thomas told The Echo that while it didn’t have evidence of the alleged payouts, rumours were ‘rife’ inside the organisation and ‘we understand the Queensland government is alerting ASIC regarding management practices’. She added forensic accountants working to uncov-
er the reasons for the company’s collapse had also been made aware of the claims. ‘We’ve called on the Queensland government to investigate allegations of bullying,’ she said. John Park and Joanne Dunn of FTI Consulting have been appointed as voluntary administrators, effective at 30 June. The first meeting of creditors will be on July 11. But the whistleblower who spoke to The Echo on condition of anonymity claims management knew two months ago they were going to go into administration. Managers were advised not to pay contractors, and those connected with FSG propperty assets were advised that they would not have funds available about 30
days beforehand,’ according to the insider.
Letter to staff The union was also scathing of the official ‘farewell’ from the company that came as a letter from chairperson Lady Barbara Hickey. ‘On behalf of your FSG Board of Directors, we wish to thank each and every one of you for your care, commitment and passion for those that YOU have walked along side for so many, many years,’ she wrote. ‘We understand how difficult, confusing and heartbreaking these past few weeks have been for so many of you and for those you care for. We will never forget you and FSG and hope that our paths will cross sometime again in the
near future,’ she concluded. The union member who forwarded the email said it was ‘a pity none of the board had the decency to meet with workers directly or turn up to the Fair Work Commission in person – or answer any questions! ‘They may all have to answer to ASIC now.’
Entitlements While frontline workers and direct support staff will find a new home with provider CPL it could take months for staff to receive their final entitlements. Q Read more on this story
at www.echo.net.au/ allegations-bullyingfinancial-malpractice-fsg
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Three charged over Ballina death Strike Force detectives have charged three people over the death of a man in Ballina last month. Aaron Marks, aged 38, was found unconscious with serious head injuries on River Street at about 2am on Sunday May 13. The Iluka man was airlifted to Gold Coast University Hospital where he died three days later. Strike Force Bulgundara was formed by detectives from Richmond Police District, assisted by the State Crime Command’s Homi-
cide Squad, to investigate his death. Following inquiries, detectives executed a search warrant at a home on Swift Street, Ballina, at about 7.30am, Thursday June 28. Two men – aged 22 and 25– and a 47-year-old woman, were arrested and taken to Ballina police ptation. The 22-year-old man was charged with manslaughter, assault causing death and supply prohibited drug. The 25-year-old man was charged with manslaughter.
North Coast news daily: www.echonetdaily.net.au
The men were refused bail and appeared at Ballina Local Court on Friday June 29. The 47-year-old woman was charged with hindering the investigation of a serious indictable offence. She was granted conditional bail to appear at Ballina Local Court on Thursday July 19. Police are urging anyone with information in relation to this incident to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or use the Crime Stoppers online reporting page: www. nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. The Byron Shire Echo July 4, 2018 5