Charity boss fuming

By Nicole Williams
DISAPPOINTED and discouraged, the Dandenong and District Benevolent Society has not given up on a public apology from a councillor after it was cleared over allegations of misusing funds.
Society president Barbara Siddall said the claims made by Councillor Maria Sampey during a November council meeting had not been supported by an independent audit – but had tarnished the reputation of the volunteer organisation.
Cr Sampey had accused the benevolent society of using council funding intended for charity purposes to buy a Rosebud holiday home, and then allowing society members to holiday there.
Cr Peter Brown backed the claims, which prompted the audit of the society’s financial administration.
At Tuesday night’s council meeting, the society was cleared of any wrong doing and Cr Angela Long asked for an apology by those involved.
Cr Sampey remained silent but Cr Brown praised the audit, although still raised concerns with the financial report, prompting society president Barbara Siddall to lash out.
“We’ve been slated,” Ms Siddall said during the meeting.
After the meeting, Ms Siddall said the society did good work, which was being tarnished by such claims.
“We wanted an apology which wasn’t forthcoming and a retraction which also wasn’t forthcoming,” she said.
“We are very disappointed and discouraged when we do a lot of good – we give away food parcels and furniture and our volunteers do many hours of work.”
Cr Brown continued to raise questions about the need to hold on to thousands of dollars year after year.
“I am very pleased with the outcome and the results show all accounts are satisfied,” he said.
“But I am still concerned by $30,000 in carry forward cash.”
Ms Siddall said the society had been advised to keep the cash in case the community needed support after an emergency or tragic event.
Greater Dandenong’s corporate services director Mick Jaensch said the audit, undertaken by external audit firm Crowe Horwath, found the society had appropriately applied funding allocations from the council and all financial administration was appropriate.
“The council expresses its gratitude to the Dandenong Benevolent Society for its willing participation in the audit process and is pleased with the outcomes of the audit,” Mr Jaensch said.
“The council looks forward to its ongoing partnership with the society in delivering much-needed support services to the Dandenong community.”
Ms Siddal said she was disappointed a councillor could make such claims without responsibility.
“We are disappointed that a councillor can behave in such a way,” she said.
“It is unfair that councillors can say what they life and have no redress.”
“Is she suitable for this position because she is bringing down the reputation of the council by her behaviour?”