Lifesaver accused of rape at a Gold Coast clubhouse hasn’t personally appeared in court

The young lifesaver accused of raping a 21-year-old woman at a Gold Coast clubhouse has not personally appeared in court for the second mention of his case.

• The start of the wave of complaints against surf lifesaving
• Surf lifesaving launches review after explosive claims

THE young lifesaver accused of raping a 21-year-old woman at a Gold Coast clubhouse has not personally appeared in court for the second mention of his case.

The 22-year-old man had his matter adjourned by the Southport Magistrates Court until May 18.

The court heard the adjournment would give prosecutors time to prepare a full brief of evidence before the matter will be listed for a committal hearing to determine whether there is enough evidence to proceed to trial.

The man who has been charged comes from one of the country’s most prestigious surf lifesaving families, the Bulletin has previously revealed.

The charges came after an alleged incident on September 13 last year at the Gold Coast.

The star athlete has been charged with one count of rape.

The matter had been listed for a bail variation, after a court previously heard the accused man wished to change his bail conditions to have contact with the alleged victim’s brother.

However, this application was not heard today and the court heard the man remains on bail.

The man’s solicitor, Peter Boyce, also did not appear personally in court but the matter was mentioned by a local law firm, who acted as a “town agent” for the man who previously acted for the Morcombe family.

The Bulletin is restricted from identifying the man due to legal reasons.

Bombshell letter: AG’s ‘deep concern’ about surf sex scandals

March 25, 2021

ATTORNEY-GENERAL Shannon Fentiman has written to surf lifesaving expressing “deep concern and dismay” about alleged rapes and sexual assaults at Gold Coast clubs.

The bombshell letter sent to Surf Life Saving Queensland president Mark Fife and CEO Dave Whimpey comes after the Bulletin emailed 15 questions last Thursday about surf launching a “cultural review”.

The letter was sent to SLSQ CEO Dave Whimpey. Picture: Jerad Williams.

FULL DIGITAL ACCESS: JUST $1 FOR FIRST 28 DAYS

SLSQ was silent, refusing to answer if an external consultant would be appointed. It also would not say if the review would investigate an alleged failure to report to police an incident where a sex tape involving a minor was circulated by Coast clubbies.

Ms Fentiman has reminded surf leaders about the clean-up of the toxic culture in Canberra following reports of male staffers committing crude sex acts in offices. She also urged them to believe those who “disclose” allegations of sexual violence.

The Attorney-General only recently accepted an invitation to be vice-president of SLSQ because she was “looking forward to working to address issues of domestic, family and sexual violence and achieve gender equality in Queensland”.

Attorney-General Shannon Fentiman wants answers from SLSQ. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Dan Peled.

The Bulletin - after obtaining the letter from government sources - contacted the Attorney-General’s office where staffers early on Wednesday confirmed the Minister was waiting for a response from SLSQ, and she would seek updates.

Ms Fentiman wrote it “was with deep concern and dismay” she had learned an alleged rape had occurred at a southern Gold Coast clubhouse in September last year and a lifesaver was charged.

“I understand from media investigations into the issue there have also been allegations of illegal recording in locker rooms and potentially other forms of sexual assault and harassment associated with some SLSQ clubs and members,” she wrote.

In exclusive reports since 2019, the Bulletin has exposed allegations involving a dirt file, illegal footage taken in locker rooms, alleged sex tapes and claims of kickbacks for clubbies. These incidents are not linked to the alleged rape.

Surf Lifesaving is to have internal culture review.

Whistleblowers say many female members are seeking an independent review given this was the 40th year of women being a part of the movement. Some complain about “a boys’ club”.

Ms Fentiman told SLSQ she would be “grateful to be provided with further information regarding this review” including “education and training be given to members regarding sexual assault and harassment inside and out of the workplace”.

“Reviews of this nature present an invaluable opportunity for positive culture change and improved safety for all people involved in SLSQ, particularly women and girls,” she said.

“As you would be aware, there has been action across Australia in recent days and week regarding sexual assault and harassment. This action has highlighted the importance of believing women and children who disclose assault or abuse.

“Any responses from SLSQ to allegations of sexual violence within the organisation should ensure people who disclose are believed and provided with support and referrals as required.”

THE QUESTIONS ASKED BY THE BULLETIN:

1. Will an external consultant be appointed to review the current situation in surf as it refers to alleged sexual assaults and assaults in general?

2. Has the consultant conducted previous reviews of Queensland Surf Life Saving?

3. Will the results of any inquiries by the consultant be made public?

4. What is the status in relation to investigations previously reported by this newspaper, including complaints about a sex tape featuring a minor?

5. Given the serious behavioural issues reported, does the board accept any responsibility?

6. Will the review be a full cultural review of behaviour within the organisation?

7. Does SLSQ feel, as a result of these issues and handling of them, that as a community and government-funded organisation, it has lost touch with its core values?

8. On the issue of equality, what is the percentage of club presidents — female to male — across the state?

9. Has the organisation undergone a “total health check” as a result of what has happened, including a members’ survey?

10. When was the last members’ survey done and are those results available publicly?

11. Do you have a “cultural transformation policy” that provides a guide on how to change poor situations into good within an organisation?

12. Do you have a “our people matter” workplace strategy? If not, what is the strategy and how is it enforced?

13. Do you have a professional practices unit that overviews ethical standards?

14. Your current strategy plan highlights six key values — safety, trust, community, leadership, respect and teamwork. How do you measure the commitment to each strategy?

15. Your strategic plan on safety references “ensure we protect and keep our members safe through best practice risk-management systems”. How does that apply to dormitories at surf clubs, stay overs involving females and males, particularly youths?

In a previous statement, SLSQ said: “The review will play an important role in identifying any opportunities to improve safety. Safety is a core value of Surf Life Saving Queensland and we are committed to keeping both beachgoers and our members safe.”

Follow @PaulWestonGC 

 

Originally published as Lifesaver accused of rape at a Gold Coast clubhouse hasn’t personally appeared in court