Among any accolades or commendations that come Peter Maher’s way as he retires as Vinnies’ chief in Queensland none are likely to be more precious than a few words from one of his daughters. Looking back over more than 14 years in the chief executive officer’s chair, a comment from Peter’s daughter Belinda was up there among his most cherished memories. “One of the things (I remember) – and I think the highlight of my career, particularly with Vinnies – was when one of my daughters said to me, ‘Dad, I’m so proud of you …’,” he said. “That means more than anything else to a parent. So, that, to me, is what the society’s been about for me. “If that’s the message I’m giving my kids, that’s what’s important. “It’s not how much money I make or what I own or anything else like that. “That’s not what’s important. What’s the example I’ve set for my kids (is important).” Heading into retirement at the end of this month the 61-year-old’s looking forward to spending more time with those kids – Belinda and Juliette – and four grandchildren, with his wife Derrelle.
February 20, 2019
The Medical Council will pursue charges against Wellington doctor Deane Drew for allegedly entering multiple sexual relationships with vulnerable women patients. The media revealed in May that Wellington doctor Deane Drew is being investigated for pursuing women patients for sex over three decades at his central city practices. The first woman, Clara (not her real name) complained to the Health and Disability Commissioner in October 2016, followed by three more including Drew’s estranged wife, Catherine English. The Medical Council appointed a professional conduct committee (PCC) to investigate, which was initially expected to take 2-6 months. Two more complainants come forward during the investigation.
February 19, 2019
Karingal St Laurence Limited will face a s.365 (Application to deal with contraventions involving dismissal) matter before Deputy President Boyce in chambers in Sydney (Fry).
February 19, 2019
A s.185 (Enterprise agreement) application from the Sacred Heart Mission St Kilda Inc T/A Sacred Heart Mission for its Sacred Heart Mission Enterprise Agreement 2018 has been approved by Fair Work Commissioner Bissett in Melbourne on 18 February 2019.
February 19, 2019
East Arnhem Regional Council has a s.394 (Application for unfair dismissal remedy) to answer before Commissioner Bissett in the Fair Work Commission Level 10 NT House 22 Mitchell Street Darwin at 1pm (Wunungmurra).
February 19, 2019
Activ Foundation will front a s.394 (Application for unfair dismissal remedy) claim at 2pm in front of Deputy President Beaumont in Conference Room 12.34 in Perth (Heilbronn).
February 19, 2019
A WA woman found guilty of stabbing her former husband at a Perth playground in front of shocked onlookers has been banned from working as a nurse for two years. Michelle Fernandez has maintained she acted in self-defence when she stabbed Mark Fernandez with a 20cm kitchen knife as he carried their seven-year-old daughter at the Shelley foreshore in October 2015. Mr Fernandez’s injuries were so severe that a witness described watching his “guts fall out” like a “bag of sausages”. He needed more than 240 stitches to his chest, abdomen and other body parts before spending four months in a wheelchair recovering. Ms Fernandez could walk free from prison on parole in July 2020 despite having her conviction appeals thrown out. This week, the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia disqualified Ms Fernandez from working as a nurse for two years from February 8, 2019. In a statement published on Friday, the State Administrative Tribunal found the 44-year-old “behaved in a way that constitutes professional misconduct by reason of her conviction”. “The Tribunal is satisfied that proper cause exists for disciplinary action against the respondent,” the decision read. “The conduct leading to conviction was not committed in the course of nursing practice, was not connected to her practice as a nurse, and did not involve injury to any patient.” Ms Fernandez was also ordered to pay $5000 towards NMBA’s tribunal costs.
February 19, 2019
A Bunbury doctor has confirmed his past life as a brothel owner in New Zealand. Dr Neil Benson is now based at Bunbury’s Brecken Health Care but in 2006 he had a doctor’s surgery in the small North Island town at Coopers Beach which he turned into a brothel and ran a prostitution service for six months. He said the business was just something he “fell into” following unusual circumstances in which he was not happy with the man who intended to lease his building and turn it into a bordello. “I decided then that rather than let them do something that was not very high quality, and since I was looking for something to do anyway, that I would have more of an involvement,” he said. “But really I was just going to be the silent partner behind it.” Dr Benson, who described himself as an “accidental brothel keeper” said his his past was not something he ever tried to hide and had nothing to do with his career as a respected doctor. “Many of my patients here know about it, you know, I have personally never been to a brothel other than the one I owned — it’s not part of my make up,” he said.
