WorkCover casts set builder adrift after ship building injury for Pirates of the Caribbean

VETERAN film set builder Rodney Walsh has been left high and dry after being injured building a ship for the latest Pirates of the Caribbean movie.

Taken at studios near MovieWold of Rodney Walshe (correct) who hurt his shoulder building the set for Pirates of the Caribbean. He claims Workcover has left him high and dry. Pic by Richard Gosling

VETERAN Gold Coast film set builder Rodney Walshe has been left high and dry after being injured building a ship for the latest Pirates of the Caribbean movie.

Like thousands of adult Australians, Mr Walshe can’t read or write, but he’d found himself a niche in the past 30 years, building sets for films including Scooby Doo, Peter Pan, Ghost Ship and others.

Now he’s borrowing money from friends just to survive.

PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN FILMING UNDERWAY AT THE SPIT

CROWDS FORMING FOR CAPTAIN JACK

The 48-year-old was lifting a steel frame for one of the ­pirate ships on set when he felt his shoulder go.

He said he went to the doctor and lodged a claim with WorkCover but had to continue his regular job while injured because the department didn’t organise light duties with his employer.

After the sudden health-related departure of Pirates star Johnny Depp (left) saw more than 100 people dismissed from the production, WorkCover found Mr Walshe a job at a plastics factory and paid him an income while he was there.

However WorkCover stopped the payments after he’d been there eight weeks, claiming he’d been working 40-hour weeks and was capable of earning his own living.

“They just cut me off cold turkey,” he said. “It’s been a bit hard on me. I don’t want to go on the dole.”

Captain Jack Sparrow. Photo: Peter Mountain/Disney Enterprises

Mr Walshe said he’d only worked about 35 hours per week because of the pain in his shoulder – but that there was no formal record of his hours – and that they didn’t care that he was yet to receive the treatment recommended by a specialist.

He has a medical certificate that says he is unable to work more than 40 hours a week until January 28 next year, but is worried no one will hire him.

A WorkCover spokesman said he could not comment on individual cases but that Mr Walshe could apply for his case to be reviewed.

Mr Walshe has done that and is waiting for a review date.

In the meantime, he has no income.

The builder said the city’s reinvigorated film industry had been great for many, but that not everyone involved was sharing the boon.

Captain Jack Sparrow. Photo: Peter Mountain/Disney Enterprises

AMBER’S COAST CASE MAY NEVER BE HELD

HOLLYWOOD actor Amber Heard may never front court for allegedly bringing her two dogs Pistol and Boo into Australia illegally when her husband Johnny Depp was filming Pirates of the Caribbean.

However Griffith University’s Dr Edwin Bikundo, who lectures in international criminal law, said a warrant could be issued for her arrest if she continued to snub court.

“If she doesn’t show up for the summons, then an arrest warrant may be issued.”

Dr Bikundo said the alleged offence was not necessarily at the serious end of the scale, so Heard’s appearance could be excused altogether or, if an arrest warrant is issued, the matter could be placed on hold until she returns to Australia in future, if ever.

“The counsel can probably negotiate some sort of plea deal,” he said. “Or they could reactivate an arrest warrant when she comes back.”

Extraditing the Magic Mike star was an unlikely – but legally possible option for the prosecutors.

“The Attorney-General would have to make an extradition request to the US and, no matter how high profile the case is, I don’t see extradition as likely,” Dr Bikundo said.

Heard’s case was adjourned last week until November 16.