THE comments made by a Gannawarra Shire councillor on social media were “abhorrent” according to his colleague, Cr Jane Ogden.
The only woman on council said it was “appalling” from a community leader, adding council had a code of conduct that they agreed to abide by when sworn into council.
Cr Smith wrote “I’d be more worried if he didn’t go in for a feel” on a Yahoo post after video of Richmond player Dustin Martin in a strip club became public recently.
The comment provoked a social media backlash, prompting Cr Smith to respond:
“To all you triggered, whinging, whining, bleating. bitching, offended losers. Instead of getting a skinny soy latte with a twist of lemon, head to your local independent hardware store, buy a bag of cement and harden the #@&! up.”
Cr Ogden said she felt “sad” that this behaviour still happened in 2022.
“I grew up in the 70s and 80s and this stuff you took on the chin although you hated it,” Cr Ogden said.
“It just brought back old memories for me that this stuff happens that I used to put up with way back and not really say anything against it.
“This is so abhorrent this day and age.
“We are councillors 24/7, we have to remember to be so carful with what we say.
“We are leaders in this community and this is not showing good leadership.”
Northern District Community Health chief executive Mandy Hutchinson said “this is not ok”.
“Unless consent is given, it’s actually sexual harassment and against the law. It’s totally unacceptable in contemporary Australia,” she said.
“We just had a Royal Commission into Family Violence, and in the Gannawarra Shire it’s very present. You just need to have a conversation with police and they will tell you how many visits they do that have increased due to COVID.
“It’s pretty clear that that behaviour is not helpful, and then to turn on people who call you out. It’s sort of like the rigid male type, of ‘go in for a feel, it doesn’t matter’.
“I know many colleagues and men at sport clubs that are incredibly genuine, respectful and compassionate.
“Using a public forum like social media to make those comments is not helpful to preventing violence against women, which we know is a big issue in our community.
“We want to grow our young boys up to be respectful, genuine, honest people in this community, we don’t need people putting us back in the ages of men being tough telling people to drink a bag of cement type of framework.”
NDCH runs support and education programs to address domestic violence.
Mallee Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Services chief executive Joanne Sheehan-Paterson was equally “disappointed” a “leader and role model” who represents the community – especially young people – would make such a comment.
“Gannawarra was and still is proactive in helping end family violence by ‘going orange’ to raise awareness of family violence and its impact on our rural communities,” Ms Sheehan-Paterson said.
“I’m happy to support the council and mayor in anyway to provide education and training for councillors if that’s what they feel is appropriate.
“I wouldn’t tell council what to do in relation to employment and someone’s position, that’s a question for them, but I do want to offer support to assist anyone struggling with this issue.
“Anyone who takes on a position on council is voted by their community to be upstanding, displaying leadership and integrity, and not buying into denigration of women.
“Family violence is prevalent in the shire, statistics are all significantly higher than the state average, exacerbated by lockdowns.”
The Victorian Local Governance Association (VLGA) chief executive officer Kathryn Arndt said the use and misuse of social media in the context of elected representation has been a matter of discussion – and scrutiny – in recent years.
“Internal organisational culture and also strong communities benefit from a culture of respect. Comments that can or may be seen as misogynistic do not take communities forward and should be called out,” she said.
Ms Arndt said it wasn’t the practice or within the mandate of the VLGA to offer advice or advocate on such matters.
“Like any cohort in the community, there are probably a small number whose contributions would be ill-advised. Most councillors use social media platforms as valuable communication tools,” she said.
“‘Tone at the top’ is important for any organisation to be effective. There are thresholds which a councillor might be able to make the argument that social media activity is private. Each case needs to be taken on its merits.”
People who need urgent help because of sexual assault, domestic or family violence should call 000. Support services are available through The Orange Door, 1800 290 943, or Mallee Sexual Assault Unit and Domestic Violence Service, 5025 5400.
