Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, June 27, 2012 - Page 9
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LAWYER GUILTY OF MISCONDUCT Briefs
Jekyll and Hyde
Listen to the Melbourne Observer on your radio WEDNESDAYS 12.45AM. Cheryl Threadgold, community theatre writer, reports on 3AW. www.3aw.com.au
PR job
1.15AM. Jim Sherlock discusses movies/ DVDs with Andrew McLaren. www.3aw.com.au
● Grant Hackett ■ The Nine Network used is flagship 60 Minutes program this week in a bid to rehabilitate the image of Olympic Games commentator Grant Hackett, who drunkedly trashed his Southbank apartment, but denied physically assaulting his wife CandiceAlley.
Redundant
● Sylvia Bradshaw ■ Former Melbourne executives have been made redundant by News Limited. Sylvia Bradshaw, former CEO of the Leader Newspapers chain, has been made redundant from her Gold Coast Bulletin job. Ex-Ediror Wayne Buttner has lost his job as Geelong Advertiser boss.
Green flip ■ Darebin Council is quitting the Northern Alliance for Greenhouse Action, saving $50,000 dues.
■ Melbourne lawyer Robert Rushford is being refused a practising certificate before 2019, and will not be able to hold trust monies before 2022. The seven-year practising certificate ban was put into effect when Legal Services Commissioner Michael McGarvie’s decision was confirmed by Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal Senior Member Jonathan Smithers. Rushford had been found guilty of five charges of misconduct under the Legal Practice Act, and 13 charges of professional misconduct under the Legal Profession Act. Rushford has also been ordered to pay $11,815.50 legal costs of the Legal Services Commissioner. VCAT was told that Rushford was admitted to legal practice in 1994, but has not held a practising certificate since 2005.
Serious problems VCAT was told that Rushford failed to account for trust monies since 1004, failed to provide information and files required by law and Tribunal orders, that there were trust account deficiencies, and breaches of trust accounting requirements. Rushford sold his legal practice - which included First Choice Conveyancing - in 2004 to Ronald Makin and Michael Kavangah. Shortly afterwards serious problems came to light. Rushford has previously faced VCAT Senior Member Howell, and Judge Iain Ross, about his conduct. In 2004, Rushford was found guilty of unsatisfactory conduct, reprimanded and fined $1200 by the Legal Profession Tribunal. In 2006, Rushford pleaded guilty to further charges of unsatisfactory conduct.
10AM. Editor Ash Long talks with Denis Scanlan on The Pulse 94.7 www.947thepulse.com 10PM. Rob Foenander presents Country Crossroads on Casey 97.7 FM www.3ser.org.au
THURSDAYS 9.15AM. Editor Ash Long talks with Bob and Judy Phillips on 3RPP. www.rppfm.com.au
● Leighton Irwin ■ Melbourne youth theatre company, ARC Theatre, presents its 2012 musical production Jekyll And Hyde, to be performed at the Banyule Theatre, Buckingham Drive, Heidelberg, on July 6, 7, 11, 12, 13, 14 at 8.00pm and July 14 at 2.00pm. Jekyll and Hyde's classic concept of a good-intentioned scientist who creates a potion that brings out his evil and homicidal alter-ego has been the inspiration for countless stories, movies and TV shows since the tale was originally written by Robert Louis Stevenson in 1886. In 1990 Jekyll and Hyde: The Musical hit the stage, its popularity making it one of the longest running shows on Broadway from 1997-2001. ● Turn To Page 63
FLIGHT CENTRE REFUNDS
■ Flight Centre Ltd has been ordered to pay refunds to six customers whose travel did not match with what actually occurred. Six passengers took action in the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal after their group holiday to Canada and Alaska last year did not go to plan. Denis Christopher Price, Irene Price, Nigel Brownscombe, Megan Helms, Ross Johnston and Joy Johnston booked the Rockies Explorer and Alaska cruise through the travel agency.
Melbourne Observations with Matt Bissett-Johnson
The group claimed a refund of $9999 representing return air fares and one day’s travel, because the Australian Pacific Touring (APT) journey did not include a full-day at
Skagway as advertised. The group said Ms Danielle Watson, then of Flight Centre, failed to inform them of this variation to the package. Ms K Window, Risk Manager for Flight Centre, argued that a NSW legal decision should mean that Flight Centre should not have to pay a refund. VCAT member Anna Dea said the omission of Skagway represented only one day of a 19-day tour. There were no complaints about the rest of the tour. She ordered a $250 refund to each customer.
Teacher struck off ■ Victorian teacher, Steven Thompson, 43, has been found by the Victorian Institute of Teaching to have been guilty of serious misconduct and not fit to teach. Disciplinary Proceedings Committee Chairman Anne Sarros says Thompson’s registration to teach has been cancelled. The VIT may find a teacher has engaged in serious misconduct, has been seriously incompetent and/or is not fit to teach and may cancel the registration of the teacher.
10PM. Kevin Trask presents The Time Tunnel with Walter Williams www.4bc.com.au
FRIDAYS AM. Ted Ryan talks racing with Denis Scanlan on The Pulse 94.7 www.947thepulse.com 2.30PM. Jim Sherlock talks movies/DVDs with Denis Walter on 3AW www.3aw.com.au
SUNDAYS 9AM. Mike McColl Jones talks the Top 5 with Bob Phillips on 3RPP. www.rppfm.com.au 12 NOON. Kevin Trask presents That’s Entertainment on 96.5FM. www.innerfm.org.au 8.20PM. Kevin Trask presents The Time Tunnel on Remember When. www.3aw.com.au
MONDAYS 2PM. Yvonne Lawrence presents Life And Style on 3WBC 94.1FM www.3wbc.org.au 8PM. Len Baker presents Harness Review on 97.9FM www.979fm.net 10PM. Kevin Trask presents Memories Are Made Of This on 4BC www.4bc.com.au
TUESDAYS 6AM. Rob Foenander presents The Big Breakfast on 88.3 Southern FM www.southernfm.com.au
ALSO BE LISTENING FOR Julie Houghton discusses the arts on 3MBS-FM, 3MBS Digital, Online www.3mbs.org.au Di Rolle discusses Melbourne entertainment on 3AW, overnights. www.3aw.com.au
AND WATCH FOR Country Crossroads TV show on Aurora Channel 183, Foxtel www.aurora.tv
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