Management left to count the cost of litigation
Almost a year ago, the management of Hawkesbury Radio 89.9 FM, a community station, in Sydney’s north-west, convened a Special General Meeting to expel one of its members, John Bryant.
The station had suspended him some eight months earlier.
Subsequently, Bryant commenced proceedings in the NSW Supreme Court (Equity Division) in October last year to set aside his expulsion.
Hawkesbury Radio management declared that it would vigorously defend the claims by Bryant.
Last Friday, June 27, after a two day hearing His Honour Justice J. Sackar delivered his judgement in Bryant’s favour.
In his decision, the Supreme Court Justice found that John Bryant was denied procedural fairness and declared the expulsion as being ‘void and of no effect.’
This follows on from a series of rolling complaints to ACMA. Many of them have already been dismissed.
In March 2014, the ACMA completed its investigation of Hawkesbury Radio and will shortly publish its report.
Read radioinfo’s earlier reports on events as they unfolded last year.
It's about time this board got tossed out, they have made sure new members couldn't join unless they were their own family or friends, what a hopeless bunch of control freaks, the station is hardly known in the area as there are no billboards, signage or any other form of advertising to let people know about the place, I for one lived in the Hawkesbury for over 20 years before I even knew we had a local radio station and then I only found it by accident . Shame on the Chairman and Deputy Chair, but at last the truth comes out and you and your board should be made to stand down for bringing the station into financial hardship with the supreme court costs it has to pay.
I was a member of Hawkesbury Radio for over a decade and I am now a member of a Community Radio Station in Queensland.
Some years ago I asked the [Board] for a copy of the station’s constitution I was asked why I wanted it and was I going to make trouble. I replied that every member should be given a copy on joining the Station and it should be available to anyone. I eventually received a numbered copy and I was required to sign for it.
Later I asked for a members list. Again eventually, I received a worthless document with over 270 names 8 of whom were deceased.
The spotlight is back on the Board. The shrouds of secrecy are being drawn back to reveal the dishonest workings of the inner circle of Hawkesbury Radio.
John Bryant should be applauded in his pursuit of truth and the facts. Justice is at times fragile but worthy of Preservation. It thrived on truth not lies and deceit. Justice prevails eventually and it has shown that it is now time for this Chairman and his Board to resign.
Hawkesbury Radio needs a complete audit and any discrepancies revealed to the members and if need, the authorities.
The station where I am now is completely transparent and all accounts open for members and anyone else to see. It is a very pleasant place to be and a very friendly atmosphere.
[Editors note - some modification have been made to this post]