NEWS-HR

Police have appealed to the public to help locate a missing 67-year-old woman from Summer Hill. Kathleen Lawrence who resides at an aged care facility in Summer Hill was last seen on Thursday January 4 at around 7.15pm. Police have serious concerns for her welfare due to her medical conditions and the extreme heat.

United Voice and Ambulance Victoria are debating a s.739 (Application to deal with a dispute) before Commissioner Wilson in Court 8 – Level 6 in Melbourne at 2pm.

Lifestyle Solutions (Aust) Ltd is debating a s.372 (Application to deal with other contravention disputes) before Commissioner Booth in his Brisbane chambers at 10am (Collins).

Anglican Community Services is set to defend a s.394 (Application for unfair dismissal remedy) before Fair Work Deputy President Sams in his Sydney chambers at 11.30 today (Natoli).

Sixteen people connected to a rehabilitation centre alleged to be a front for a drug syndicate have faced court following an investigation by Victoria’s corruption busters. In September, the operator of St Paul’s drug rehabilitation centre in Strathmore, Tony Dieni — who has regularly given evidence on behalf of those accused of drug offences — was charged with large-scale drug trafficking. Now his grandson, as well as 15 others, some of them former clients of St Paul’s, have faced court on a host of drug-trafficking and perverting the course of justice charges.

The funeral of an elderly woman who died in a nursing home is on hold as her family implores the Coroner to investigate the circumstances of the death. Sue Willimott, of Magill, disputes that her mother Debbie Willimott died of a chest infec­tion, as originally stated on her death certificate after the 87-year-old resident at a privately run suburban nursing home died last Saturday. Ms Willimott has delivered the Coroner’s office photos of a festering wound on her late mother’s leg. And she says the funeral director she has engaged has told her the funeral will have to be delayed in case there is an inquest. The Coroner’s office and the funeral director declined to comment. Debbie Willimott, whose medical conditions included diabetes, had been in the nursing home since May after increasing difficulties living alone in her Ingle Farm unit. Her daughter said she had raised concerns with management about the care of her mother, including events that led to her receiving treatment for pneumonia at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in October. Ms Willimott claims a care program was not adhered to at the home, and says she had to insist that her mother be taken to hospital in July with slurred speech. Her mother was found to have had a stroke, she said. A major concern for the family is the treatment of a leg wound dating to the middle of the year. The family claims they were not allowed to see the wound being treated by nursing home staff when they visited. “After mum died and I was with her, I took off the bandage and the large wound was black, green and yellow. It was disgusting and so were the bandages,” Ms Willimott said. “I took photos at the time and have taken them to the Coroner’s office and asked them to investigate. “They have told me they will be seeking records from the home, from the Queen Elizabeth Hospital and from the district nurse. The retirement home confirmed the case was under review but declined to comment.

A Section 394 (Application for unfair dismissal remedy) by Christopher Patterson against Re-Engage Youth Services Incorporated T/A Re-Engage Youth Services has been determined by Deputy President Anderson in Adelaide on 3 January 2018. The summary is as follows: Application for an unfair dismissal remedy – jurisdictional issue – whether employee resigned or was dismissed – claim of dismissal at employer’s initiative – section 386(1)(a) criteria not made out – claim of forced resignation – meaning of section 386(1)(b) – annual leave request refused – operational basis for refusal – employee resignation made under pressure of difficult choice – real and effective choice exercised – not forced resignation Employer unilaterally paid out and shortened notice period before resignation took effect – whether dismissal at initiative of employer – section 386(1)(a) – employer conduct in substitution of resignation – employee dismissed during notice period – dismissal harsh, unjust and unreasonable – compensation ordered ($1324.15).

A s.394 (Unfair dismissal) costs claim by Emma Valenzuela against Spectrum Community Focus Limited T/A Spectrum Community Focus has been refused by Senior Deputy President Hamberger in Sydney on 3 January 2018.