On April 25, 2015 the whole of Australia will celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the Gallipoli Landing, a momentous occasion in our nation’s history.
Many towns across Australia have obtained an ‘ANZAC Centenary Local Grant’ to help commemorate an epic day of remembrance, showing deep respect in honouring their ancestors who fought and died in the war-to-end-all-wars.
EXCEPT YORK!
In April 2014, when CEO Ray Hooper, personally grabbed his bat and ball and went home, seeking solace and support back in Perth, and Gail Maziuk was the Shire’s Senior Finance Officer, an application was made through the office of Christian Porter, Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister, for an ANZAC grant of $38,154.
The intent was to refurbish York’s name plate memorial- an enlistment register with regimental colours, and provide a concrete plinth for the Krupp gun. It was an extremely worthy cause which should have received the required funding.
Accept the Shire of York’s administrations application was an embarrassingly flawed abomination, like numerous times in the past.
Records show that the grant application for $38,154 only provided quotes totalling $7,450, a $30,740 shortfall in necessary cost information. There was another quote for $4,085 which bore no relevance to any memorial funding other than the possible purchase of two First Class airline tickets to Canberra to pick up the money.
When Acting CEO, Michael Keeble, was advised in November last year of this monumental disaster, there was “no response”.
Both Commissioner James Best and Acting CEO Graeme Simpson should be aware of this matter and what their obligation should be to the York community. That is to obtain the grant and allow the people of York to honour their fallen, in front of a newly renovated shrine, on a special, centuplicate remembrance day that will never be repeated.
Lest York People Will Not Forget!
David Taylor –York Ratepayer
I find this very upsetting, of all the things to overlook this would be the one not to miss. As David pointed out, the whole of Australia, without exception is doing something to commemorate such an important year. Truly, truly sad.
ReplyDeleteWhat this does is lock in for posterity another reason for York "Lest we Forget". One is for the very noble memory of the sacrifice of so many in the service of this great nation, and its democratic principles and community.
ReplyDeleteHowever York should not forget the recent blackest days of its long history, the greed, manipulation and failures of a powerful few who misused their positions for personal reasons and gain, and the failure of those with responsibilities to take action and carry out their duties and protect the community. Their actions have spat in the face of the ideals of those that sacrificed all for their nation.
So York needs to ensure these people are recorded for ever in the history of the town and that the community is vigilant that it never happens again. I previously suggested naming a sewerage works after them but I am sure there are other creative ideas of how to sear their names into history. The "Hooper Urinal" for example.
What a revelation! What a stuffup! So the Shire's former Senior Finance Officer, a member of the RSL herself (has been or is on the Committee, I am told) stuffed up the application!!!!!!!! Unbelievable!!!
ReplyDeleteWhat an absolute disgrace - Ms Mazuik should resign her position or be dismissed from the Shire of York and hang her head in shame. She has let down everyone on this one.
ReplyDeleteWhat a dreadful dreadful inexcusable stuff up to make for such an important occasion. I believe she is a member of the York RSL - how can she show her face in public after this blunder.
She should now pay for the project herself.
I note Gail is also the Shire of York Compliance Officer, how come she has this position if she does not understand how to complete an application for a grant. Can't she add up?
DeleteApplying for a Grant is not rocket science.
How about someone asks the question at Mondays council meeting!
DeleteI suggest this is brought up at the next Shire Council Meeting on Monday (the 16th), to ensure Mr Best is fully aware of how unqualified some members of the admin are in fulfilling their roles so this cannot happen again. Of course, he would want to rectify the situation - another reason to raise it at the meeting. Have you sent this information to Mr Best and CEO Simpson, yet, David?
ReplyDeletePerhaps next Monday would be a good time to ask what qualifications are held by shire staff at every level, and how consistent those qualifications are with the positions they hold.
DeleteAlso, in the opinion of the Commissioner, what qualifications and training should be required of shire staff and how should they be recruited?
Questions on notice, maybe?
Sorry Jane, I was so incensed, I commented straight away without reading that you had already mentioned it should be raised at the next meeting,
DeleteMuch the same as what they did with the town hall centenary. Useless overpaid, underqualified staff. Just the way Ray liked them.
ReplyDeleteSo James Best said last night that the funding was not unsuccessful as reported in the blog and that there is no answer on this yet.They just now have to submit the missing invoices and all will be well. My understanding is that Mr Porters office said there was more money available than applications prior to them applying. A pretty sweet funding application process then really. The questions remains Mr Best:
ReplyDeleteWho is doing your funding applications?
It was made very easy for them and they still didn't get it right the first time-why?
Does Mr. Best believe near enough is good enough for a Grant application?
ReplyDeleteWhy is Mr. Best protecting Ms. Mazuik on this when she clearly stuffed up the funding application? Sloppy procedures if you ask me.
It was a pretty straight forward grant application. How come she did not check to make sure ALL relevant invoices/quotes were attached before she posted the application off. Not rocket science, just cross checking to make sure all is in order and all adds up. Bit of a worry to think a careless mistake could be made like this.
How did she manage to Co-ordinate the Wreck Centre when she couldn't get a simple ANZAC Grant right?
Ah hello have a look at the rec centre
ReplyDelete