Bridgewater PCYC: Justin Abrahams, Samantha Sutcliffe on ‘alternative duties’ amid investigation

Two managers of a greater Hobart PCYC have been moved aside amid an internal investigation into their “administrative requirements”. Staff have been instructed not to speak to media.

Bridgewater PCYC manager Justin Abrahams. Picture: Bridgewater PCYC

Two managers, one a sworn police officer, of a greater Hobart PCYC have been placed on alternative duties amid an internal investigation into their “administrative requirements”.

The Mercury can reveal that the Department of Police, Fire and Emergency Management (DPFEM) commenced an investigation into the two Bridgewater PCYC staff in early October.

While underway, the club’s manager, Tasmania Police officer Justin Abrahams, and assistant manager, Samantha Sutcliffe (nee Andrews), who have both been in their respective roles since approximately 2017, have been placed on “alternative duties”.

“The department commenced an internal investigation in relation to the administrative requirements of DPFEM staff members at the Bridgewater PCYC in early October. Those staff members are now undertaking alternative duties,” a spokeswoman said.

Bridgewater PCYC manager and assistant manager Justin Abrahams and Samantha Sutcliffe (nee Andrews) at the Telstra Best in Business Awards 2023. Picture: Facebook

“It is not appropriate to provide further comment at this stage while this process is underway.”

The Mercury asked the department for further details about the nature of the investigation, but a direct response was not provided.

It is not suggested that Mr Abrahams or Ms Sutcliffe have engaged in wrongdoing, only that they have been placed on alternative duties while an internal investigation takes place.

The Mercury attempted to contact Mr Abrahams and Ms Sutcliffe via telephone and text message. No response was received, however, club president Justin Kovacic did make contact in the minutes after the pair were called.

Bridgewater PCYC assistant manager Samantha Sutcliffe (nee Andrews). Picture: Facebook/ Tasmania Police

Mr Kovacic stressed that the club itself was not under investigation.

“They are both [DPFEM] employees and therefore it would be inappropriate for the Bridgewater PCYC to comment how [DPFEM] allocate their staff,” he said.

Two sources familiar with the situation told the Mercury that Bridgewater PCYC vice-president Benjamin Harriss, who is a former Tasmania Police officer, instructed all staff at the club on Wednesday not to engage with media while the investigation was taking place.

“PCYC staff were called into a meeting and read the riot act not to talk to anyone,” a source said.

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Bridgewater PCYC, Mr Abrahams and Ms Sutcliffe have been at the forefront of community life in the Brighton municipality, winning numerous awards and nominations over the past four years.

In February, Bridgewater PCYC won the Tasmanian Building Communities award at the Telstra Best of Business Awards 2023. The centre was a finalist in the 2022 Tasmanian Training Awards (Small Employer of the Year), and it won the 2019 Telstra Social Change Maker Award (Tasmania).

Ms Sutcliffe was a finalist in the Tasmanian Young Achiever Awards 2020, while Mr Abrahams was a finalist in the ABC Hobart Community Spirit Awards 2021.

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