A notice said inquiries could be made on the first floor . Stepping out of the lift, I found myself in a tranquil area –somebody reading a newspaper down the far end , their back towards me. At the glass panelled area right in front of me was a sign indicating you pressed a button for attention . As I waited , I noticed what looked like all the animals out of Sesame Street and a few other shows were sitting on top of cupboards. For a time I thought I had stepped into Wally World , a set for Toy Story X or a branch of Disneyland soft mechandising . I told the attendant that there was supposed to be a court case involving Shirley Collins downstairs but the place was closed up . Was it a Family Court matter? No. The computer was consulted , but it said, No .
At one stage I was asked what was the date of birth of this Shirley Collins . Somewhat surprised, I said I was a reporter wanting to cover the case and did not know her date of arrival on the planet. Further consultation within the inner sanctum took place , and it was discovered that yes indeed , the case was to be heard that morning . Downstairs , later on , a security man arrived and announced he had only just been told about the case . I went through the security check and sat down outside the courtroom , noticing a large tissue sitting on top of the nearby rubbish bin .
On a previous visit to the same area , mossies flitted about ; they were not evident on this occasion. When the hook up was made, there was no indication who was this person, presumably a magistrate, speaking from Perth. In future hearings it would be good if it was announced to one and all at the outset who is presiding over the distant bench . No members of the local media were present, but you never know what might happen in the future . As it turned out, on this occasion, the case was adjourned to December 17 , after an additional order for court costs of $264 , the spirit of Xmas evident.
As explained in great detail by Little Darwin, Ms Collins, former head of Raintree Aboriginal Art Gallery , Darwin, was ruined by her involvement in the Bank of America Down Under Tour of the US in the lead up to the Sydney Olympics. With it being stated that Ms Collins had been made the scapegoat for the mistakes and misinformation of others in high places , she now is seeking an act of grace payment from the Federal government , fighting the rejection by a Canberra public servant, Dr Guy Verney , in the Department of Finance, of her application , claiming he acted as both case manager and case decider , contrary to the guidelines.
[ A former NT Administrator, Charles Aubrey Abbott , was granted a grace in favour payment by Prime Minister Menzies because he was short of money late in life ; he was also given a free state funeral . The NT Dictionary of Biography states that the Abbotts were snobbish and that Administrator Abbott classified Darwin’s population into four groups , permanent residents described as not having a mentality of a very high standard]. Darwin solicitor James Matthews is representing Ms. Collins pro bono .- ( Peter Simon )
As explained in great detail by Little Darwin, Ms Collins, former head of Raintree Aboriginal Art Gallery , Darwin, was ruined by her involvement in the Bank of America Down Under Tour of the US in the lead up to the Sydney Olympics. With it being stated that Ms Collins had been made the scapegoat for the mistakes and misinformation of others in high places , she now is seeking an act of grace payment from the Federal government , fighting the rejection by a Canberra public servant, Dr Guy Verney , in the Department of Finance, of her application , claiming he acted as both case manager and case decider , contrary to the guidelines.
[ A former NT Administrator, Charles Aubrey Abbott , was granted a grace in favour payment by Prime Minister Menzies because he was short of money late in life ; he was also given a free state funeral . The NT Dictionary of Biography states that the Abbotts were snobbish and that Administrator Abbott classified Darwin’s population into four groups , permanent residents described as not having a mentality of a very high standard]. Darwin solicitor James Matthews is representing Ms. Collins pro bono .- ( Peter Simon )
