News

I attended in person my first Management Committee meeting at KCC Park Wednesday, 22 June 2022. Being my inaugural meeting I had a number of motions listed to get moving on introducing much needed good governance and proven business practices.
These Motions included:

Management Committee Members that are under investigation for alleged misconduct or breach of our rules, regulations or Codes and if determined by the Chairperson of Investigations Committee determines the compliant will be investigated, then that Management Committee member must step down with immediate effect until the outcome of the investigation is known.

New Regulation in regards to In Camera Sessions and documenting how In Camera Session should be conducted. This would improve openness, transparency and accountability.

Management Committee members to utilise Dogs Victoria email address for official Dogs Victoria Management Committee business.

Dogs Victoria to establish a Quality Management System (QMS). Dogs Victoria lack proper documented policies and procedures and also fails to have a Quality System in place to ensure the organisation is meetings it’s objectives and is measurable by means of internal audits.

Rescission Motions for timeframes and penalties for Affiliates Bodies with regards to schedules and judges’ contracts. I do not see such punitive measures as contusive to effective cooperation.

All my motions for June 2022 were unsuccessful.

The Virtual only 2022 AGM was held Wednesday, 25 May 2022. I was very concerned how Special Resolution 10 was conducted. I raised two Points of Order which were ignored. I spoke against Special Resolution 10 as I had grave concerns as did other speakers that such a rule would lead to litigation against Dogs Victoria. It was clear that the rule breached the Spent Convictions Act Dec 2021 and Dogs Victoria Management in allowing this Special Resolution to be put to members represented a failure of their positive duty under that act of parliament. Despite Dogs Victoria Management being found to have improperly attempted to retrospectively apply conditions from Rule 2.5.2 on two Management Committee members in late 2021 which demonstrated a lack of basic legal understanding by Dogs Victoria which is further demonstrated by Dogs Victoria applying such a flawed Special Resolution to be put to members this year again. The disqualification from office on the basis of a Charge which may have been unproven or dismissed at anytime in the applicant’s life is an outrageous breach of human rights and unheard of in the corporate world. The conduct of the Chairperson in accepting the two vital votes to pass the Special Resolution 10 outside the official voting platform despite the repeated queries from Vero Voting at best put the Chairperson’s competence in question. 

I will do my very best to ensure that the 2023 VCA AGM is a face to face meeting with a virtual option to accommodate members that are unable to travel to KCC Park.

I am humbled to be elected to the Victorian Canine Association Management Committee and I thank members for their support. I congratulate all other members elected: Chris Moore, Ron Murphy, Louise Brodie and Sue Hutcheson and look forward to working with them and the rest of the committee for the betterment of all members and our community. I also extend my commiserations to those that were not successful – I know how that feels! 

I will conduct myself with integrity and accountability ensuring that all discussions and decisions I make are in the best interests of members. I will endeavour to ensure Management Meetings are more open and transparent, and the Committee of Management more accountable to members.

Thank you again,

Jake Milford
DV Management Committee Elect.

Jake Milford
jakemilford@gmail.com
0437967807

I have never supported the decision by Dogs Victoria to accept potentially contaminated soil at KCC Park, and in my opinion Dogs Victoria Management have mismanaged the situation ever since. Members have been told for over a year that the PFAS contaminated soil was to be removed from KCC Park, but the Environmental Management Plan and associated Coffey Report (see below for link to both reports) clearly state the PFAS contaminated soil is to remain onsite at KCC Park and that VCA will be required to have ongoing management of the contaminated soil site. This is not a good outcome for us members as it will permanently affect the value of our greatest asset as it places restrictions on how the property can be utilised. This entire dumping of soil at KCC Park has not had appropriate oversight or management by VCA for many years. This is completely unacceptable.

I believe it is time for an independent investigation into this whole saga. This investigation needs to go back to the original concept plan, the engagement of the contractor Landcore and the associated contract. How VCA had oversight and management of these works. Why so much soil was dumped when the original council approved plans had the soli levels too high back in 2018. Please see the approved plans and documents.

Earth works are a lucrative business, and we also need to establish who received what monies and associated paper trails. Members need to see transparency and accountability with regards to this saga.

I believe we require an independent sworn valuation of KCC Park that takes into consideration the PFAS Contamination (KCC Park is listed as a contaminated site of the EPA Priority Sites register) and the effect on the valuation and future usage of KCC Park. A notice will be added to the Certificate of Title for KCC Park notating the contamination.

It must be noted that all documents regarding the dirt pile have been obtained under Freedom of Information (FOI) and that VCA have kept these documents secret.

Environmental Management Plan, KCC Park, 655 Dandenong-Hastings Road, Skye, VIC, 27 October 2021.

Coffey Report, Lancore Group Pty LtdPFAS Risk Assessment:KCC Park665 Dandenong-Hastings Road, Skye, Victoria

Endorsed Plans – 665 Dandenong-Hastings Road, Skye – 351-2016-P – Fmg Engineering – Town Planning

Further information – https://pfas.australianmap.net/2020-september-dogs-victoria-skye-contaminated-soil/

I am pleased to announce that I have nominated for the Dogs Victoria Management Committee and look forward to your support. I believe my qualifications, training and experience, along with a genuine love for dogs and the desire to see Dogs Victoria and our affiliate clubs succeed makes me a good choice to be your voice on the committee!

I have provided this website for members to learn more about me and, if elected, I will maintain this site to ensure you are kept informed of what I am doing as your representative. Naturally, I will also always welcome hearing from you to discuss your issues, ideas and concerns.

Please give me your number 1 vote and encourage other members to support me. Together, we can make a difference.

“If you don’t vote for change, you’ll get more of the same.”