CoGG’S WOES

JANUARY 2015 —

Geelong psychologist Gary McMullen blows the whistle on endemic bullying at the Geelong council, saying it has gone unchecked for at least a decade.

FEBRUARY 2015 —

The Geelong Advertiser reveals there have been five bullying complaints made against four councillors in just 12 months.

FEBRUARY 2015 —

Council votes to spend up to $200,000 reviewing its workplace culture and councillor code of conduct. Discrimination expert Susan Halliday is chosen to lead the review.

OCTOBER 2015 —

The Halliday report reveals shocking bullying at the council. Mayor Darryn Lyons and CEO Kelvin Spiller apologise to residents and say a line in the sand has been drawn.

NOVEMBER 2015 —

The State Government announces there will be a Commission of Inquiry into the Geelong council and three high-powered commissioners are appointed.

APRIL 2016 —

The commissioners’ report is released. The Labor Government moves to dismiss the council and install administrators until an election is held in 2020. The Coalition and Greens strike a deal to bring forward the election to October 2017.

MAY 2016 —

Administrators Kathy Alexander, Peter Dorling and Laurinda Gardner begin leading the City of Greater Geelong.

OCTOBER 2017 —

The Australian Services Union says the morale and culture at the council are “as bad as they’ve ever been”.