‘It all hit the fan’: David Collard documentary underway, Richard Marles and Peter Dutton feature strongly

A short clip of the “Don’t take the call” documentary that’s looking into the downfall of Geelong businessman David Collard has surfaced. WATCH THE TRAILER.

The first footage from a documentary exploring the downfall of Geelong businessman David Collard has surfaced, with senior politicians Richard Marles and Peter Dutton featuring prominently.

Melbourne-based company Pure Production is behind the five-minute clip that also includes interviews with two former employees of Mr Collard’s Scale Facilitation.

The current whereabouts of David Collard (right) is unknown. Source: Pure Production.

“This is now another let down story for Geelong,” one-time Scale employee Michael Graham said.

“When it all hit the fan and I found out that other creditors, not-for-profits, around Geelong were owed money, it’s a level of embarrassment I’ve never experienced before in my life.”

The documentary, which has the working title ‘Don’t take the call’, includes speeches made by Mr Marles and Mr Dutton at Scale’s glitzy launch of its New York offices in December 2022.

Richard Marles speaking in New York. Source: Pure Production.

Mr Marles labelled “Dave” a “force of nature” and “innately entrepreneurial”.

“It is clearly in his genes, in his bones, and was there the moment he was born,” he told the crowd.

Mr Dutton, who had his flights and accommodation paid for by Scale, said: “He (Collard) has the ability to see around corners and over the horizon – that is an incredible quality.”

Mr Marles and Mr Dutton have since repeatedly refused to answer questions regarding their connection to the businessman.

Peter Dutton speaking in New York. Source: Pure Production.

The teaser’s opening scene provides background and highlights the June 2023 police raid of Scale’s Geelong headquarters over allegations of tax fraud “which brought to light numerous problems with the way the business was being run”.

Source: Pure Production.

The film is being produced by Jeremy Bowtell, a former St Joseph’s College Geelong student who graduated in 2002 alongside Mr Collard.

He said ‘Don’t take the call’ refers to a quote from April Palmerlee, chief executive of the American Chamber of Commerce in Australia, who said in a speech: “If you don’t want to back Scale Facilitation don’t take a call from David Collard”.

“What seemed like a witty nod to his persuasiveness may have actually been a veiled warning, in hindsight,” Mr Bowtell said.

Originally published as ‘It all hit the fan’: David Collard documentary underway, Richard Marles and Peter Dutton feature strongly