BendigoWeekly www.bendigoweekly.com.au
ISSUE 1087 FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2018
Buy a burger for charity
THIS weekend, tucking into a burger at Grill’d Bendigo also means you will be helping Bendigo Hospital, Otis Foundation and Women in Sport. Grill’d will donate 100 per cent of their sales to the three charities, aiming to raise $50,000.
FIGHT BACK BURGER BOUNTY: Jahna Williams, Tess Ringin and Charley Holt. Photo: ANDREW PERRYMAN
By SHARON KEMP
A DAMNING report into the conduct of former Bendigo South East College principal Ernie Fleming that the Victorian government had hoped would end two lengthy rumour-ridden investigations, has emboldened the former school leader to continue fighting. Mr Fleming has labelled as defamatory words used in a media statement prefacing a Victorian Ombudsman report released on Wednesday that found he used his power to wrongly employ and
Former BSE principal speaks out
promote family members. The VO report, tabled in state parliament, also alleged Mr Fleming failed to manage a conflict of interest that ultimately allowed Michael Bulmer and, eventually, his own son Brandt, to direct school bus charter business to a company they owned. Lastly, Mr Fleming was accused in the VO report of failing to gain school council approval for some
■ Chasing
expense claims, that he approved some reimbursements to himself and accepted mates rates for private work from a contractor who was working at the school. But yesterday, an emotional Mr Fleming defended his tenure at BSE, and labelled the VO report unfair, defamatory, insulting and offensive. He also accused the ombudsman of colluding with
millenials – Page 3
■ 44-page
the Department of Education and Training, which conducted its own investigation into Mr Fleming, leading him to resign after learning the draft findings in late May. Mr Fleming yesterday claimed he believed he had been cleared by his DET manager of accusations of nepotism and conflict of interest as they arose in more than 20 anonymous complaints sent to the department from August 2014 until
the Independent Broad-based AntiCorruption Commission referred the matter to the ombudsman for investigation in August 2016. “My line manager had investigated those (complaints) a number of times and I was told there was no evidence to support them, external financial audits told me we were compliant with what we were doing, what else was I supposed to do... guess what I was supposed to have done?” Mr Fleming said.
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Property Guide inside
Win a Holiday to Fiji To be in the running just spend $1500 or more in store, between 17th August to 30th September 2018. Fiji holiday includes: • Return economy flights for two people from Melbourne • 5 nights accommodation at Fiji Marriott Resort Momi Bay for two, twin share • Ground transfers from airport to hotel • Buffet breakfast daily • Up to $3000 of Exclusive Bonus Value Inclusions See in-store for details.
Must Book by 31st Oct 18
Travel 1st Aug 18 to 1st Mar 19
7 Stanley Street, Bendigo Ph: 5444 4677 • www.specair.com.au