Doug PollardJobless, homeless, thanks to homophobia
June 14th 2008 02:12
Ken Campagnolo is a typical Aussie country bloke. He lived - until recently - in what was the family home. He’s served his country in the armed forces. A forestry worker and fire-fighter for much of his civilian life, he’s held a forest operators licence for 19 years. He has certificates in fighting wildfires and plantation fires, tree seed collection, tree-felling, 4-wheel driving, using chainsaws and explosives, and more.
Skilled firefighter
His skills and abilities as a fire-fighter have long been recognised. Since 1996 he’s worked as a Project Fire-fighter for the Department of Sustainability and Environment (1996-8), and for Hancock Plantations (1998-2002). He’s worked as a contractor for the Department on many occasions over the years.
In 1998 a DSE magazine published his team leaders account of Kens actions during a fire, praising his skills and his strength. In 2002 a DSE duty operator put him in charge of three CFA units fighting a fire. In 2006 he was on bulldozer support, helping fight the fires in Mansfield/Mount Buller, under DSE direction and control.
Knocked back by DSE
But since February 1998 – when his position as Project Fire-fighter for the DSE was terminated because of a decision to reduce numbers due to “lack of work” – his applications for a job with the Department have been repeatedly knocked back.
Finally, in October 2004 DSE told him they wouldn’t give him a job because of his “unsafe work practices”. He was “not a team player”, with an “unsatisfactory attitude.”
Yet this man with alleged “unsafe working practices” was working for them under contract at the time, had been repeatedly employed by them as a contractor for years; under those contracts, as DSE knew, he employed others to work under his supervision; this man who was “not a team player” fought fires alongside their staff; this man with an “unsatisfactory attitude” was placed in control of CFA units during a fire by a DSE duty officer; and as late as 2006 was still helping fight fires under their direction and control.
"Because you're a poof"
It was during those 2006 fires that Ken was given another reason – perhaps the real reason - why he couldn’t get a job. As he was leaving the Delatite Hotel in Mansfield after a meal with his fellow fire-fighters, he says a DSE manager told him “you can fight the fires for free but you will never get a job with DSE because you are a poof”.
Ken & Barbie
Ken identifies as bisexual, but this hadn’t been generally known until the DSE staff Christmas party 1997, when that same DSE manager gave him a Barbie doll – singled him out, the only adult to receive a gift. The gift was given in front of the other workers, their families, children and some members of the public. And remarks were made about his sexuality.
Ken says that for years afterwards, Barbie dolls were frequently attached to his locker – a play on ‘Ken & Barbie’, they now say. But no other Ken was mocked this way.
Many times while working in the forests for Hancocks or on DSE contracts this same man – along with other DSE staff - drove by, calling him a poofter. When Ken employed others to work with him on DSE contracts, this same man and his cronies publicly referred to them as “The Pink Brigade.”
Despite numerous complaints, nothing was ever done about this harassment.
Fighting back
Finally, in 2007, Ken went public. His stories were confirmed by colleagues and others in the town of Mansfield.
He took his case to the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission. Ken could not afford legal representation, and so because of flaws in his submission, it was rejected, but has now that he has proper legal support, it’s been reinstated by VCAT.
The harassment goes on
Meanwhile the harassment continues. Ken has always worked in the community, doing volunteer jobs, including trainer and on field medic with Bonniedoone football club for many years. When his story became public, he was sacked, his place taken by one of his alleged tormentors.
He has been denied work. He has been spat at on the street. He has been called a paedophile. His reputation, as a person and as a skilled firefighter and forestry worker, has been trashed. And because he has been unable to earn a decent living, he has now lost his home.
DSE in denial
The DSE refuses to apologise, refuses to compensate Ken, continues to insist that his story is a complete fabrication, that none of this ever happened. They say they have “no record” of him fighting fires with them. They want the case struck out Meanwhile, Ken battles on.
Help
Ken is supported in his fight by the RJM Trust - if you'd like to help, you can make a donation to:
R J M Trust Ken Campagnolo Fund
St George Bank South Melbourne
BSB 113-879
A/c No.: 429044701
Ken - hounded for being bisexual
Skilled firefighter
His skills and abilities as a fire-fighter have long been recognised. Since 1996 he’s worked as a Project Fire-fighter for the Department of Sustainability and Environment (1996-8), and for Hancock Plantations (1998-2002). He’s worked as a contractor for the Department on many occasions over the years.
In 1998 a DSE magazine published his team leaders account of Kens actions during a fire, praising his skills and his strength. In 2002 a DSE duty operator put him in charge of three CFA units fighting a fire. In 2006 he was on bulldozer support, helping fight the fires in Mansfield/Mount Buller, under DSE direction and control.
Knocked back by DSE
But since February 1998 – when his position as Project Fire-fighter for the DSE was terminated because of a decision to reduce numbers due to “lack of work” – his applications for a job with the Department have been repeatedly knocked back.
Finally, in October 2004 DSE told him they wouldn’t give him a job because of his “unsafe work practices”. He was “not a team player”, with an “unsatisfactory attitude.”
Yet this man with alleged “unsafe working practices” was working for them under contract at the time, had been repeatedly employed by them as a contractor for years; under those contracts, as DSE knew, he employed others to work under his supervision; this man who was “not a team player” fought fires alongside their staff; this man with an “unsatisfactory attitude” was placed in control of CFA units during a fire by a DSE duty officer; and as late as 2006 was still helping fight fires under their direction and control.
"Because you're a poof"
It was during those 2006 fires that Ken was given another reason – perhaps the real reason - why he couldn’t get a job. As he was leaving the Delatite Hotel in Mansfield after a meal with his fellow fire-fighters, he says a DSE manager told him “you can fight the fires for free but you will never get a job with DSE because you are a poof”.
Ken & Barbie
Ken identifies as bisexual, but this hadn’t been generally known until the DSE staff Christmas party 1997, when that same DSE manager gave him a Barbie doll – singled him out, the only adult to receive a gift. The gift was given in front of the other workers, their families, children and some members of the public. And remarks were made about his sexuality.
Ken says that for years afterwards, Barbie dolls were frequently attached to his locker – a play on ‘Ken & Barbie’, they now say. But no other Ken was mocked this way.
Many times while working in the forests for Hancocks or on DSE contracts this same man – along with other DSE staff - drove by, calling him a poofter. When Ken employed others to work with him on DSE contracts, this same man and his cronies publicly referred to them as “The Pink Brigade.”
Despite numerous complaints, nothing was ever done about this harassment.
Fighting back
Finally, in 2007, Ken went public. His stories were confirmed by colleagues and others in the town of Mansfield.
He took his case to the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission. Ken could not afford legal representation, and so because of flaws in his submission, it was rejected, but has now that he has proper legal support, it’s been reinstated by VCAT.
The harassment goes on
Meanwhile the harassment continues. Ken has always worked in the community, doing volunteer jobs, including trainer and on field medic with Bonniedoone football club for many years. When his story became public, he was sacked, his place taken by one of his alleged tormentors.
He has been denied work. He has been spat at on the street. He has been called a paedophile. His reputation, as a person and as a skilled firefighter and forestry worker, has been trashed. And because he has been unable to earn a decent living, he has now lost his home.
DSE in denial
The DSE refuses to apologise, refuses to compensate Ken, continues to insist that his story is a complete fabrication, that none of this ever happened. They say they have “no record” of him fighting fires with them. They want the case struck out Meanwhile, Ken battles on.
Help
Ken is supported in his fight by the RJM Trust - if you'd like to help, you can make a donation to:
R J M Trust Ken Campagnolo Fund
St George Bank South Melbourne
BSB 113-879
A/c No.: 429044701
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I can't believe it!
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I'm not sure whether the radio coverage was by you? If you have a show that I can hear from Sydney, can you let me know about it?
Comment by Doug Pollard
Rainbow Reporter
Good news - Ken has a job subject to a medical tomorrow, so fingers crossed.
One of the outcomes of his protest at the way he was treated by Bonnie Doon FC is that the sporting clubs governance manual, which is put together by the Victorian sports ministry, is being revamped to include policies and procedures to deal with discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity.
First meeting is August 8th and the RJM Trust www.rjm.org will be represented on the committee, as well as GLBTI health professionals.
And the Victorian Country Football League has agreed to implement diversity training in all it's clubs for both juniors and seniors.
The Trust has a meeting scheduled soon with Soccer Australia about implementing diversity training there too.
I should add that I work part-time for the RJM Trust.