Fennell to take legal action against Courier Mail over allegations

Steven Fennell of Macleay Island who has been helping Police in their investigation of the sudden death of Lisalotte Watson has sent me the following press release from Phoenix House on Wednesday:

“The Australian Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA) funded the Community Development Group Limited (which sponsored the organisation Phoenix House Australia) under the Volunteer Grants program 2009

FaHCSIA is not investigating the use of this grant funding.

Evidence of expenditure of the grant funding was provided by the organisation and FaHCSIA is satisfied that funds were used in accordance with grant guidelines”.

This recent communication from FaHCSIA confirms earlier advice from FaHCSIA that Steven Fennell is not; and was not under investigation for fraud at the time of the allegation made by the Brisbane Courier Mail. 

Phoenix House wishes to advise those sponsors and supporters that have been contacted by the the QPS (Queensland Police Service) that Phoenix House seeks to take legal advice regarding the allegation that some police officers that have strongly suggested (without investigation or interview with Phoenix House) that Phoenix House is other than a bona-fide and registered Self Help Organisation. 

Phoenix House also intents to support Mr Fennell in his complaint to the CMC regarding actions that Mr Fennell says have caused his business to suffer considerable losses and his voluntary position at Phoenix House to be attacked without merit."

See Courier Mail and Bayside Bulletin stories.  The FaHCSIA website is here and the Phoenix House Macleay Island website is here

Police reveal more evidence in Macleay Island investigation

Claw hammer found in search

Queensland Police have made a further appeal for help in sudden death case on Macleay Island.
As part of the ongoing investigation into the death of 85-year-old Macleay Island resident, Lisalotte Watson, detectives are seeking further assistance from members of the public.
During the course of the investigation a search was conducted of the Thompson Point area. This search unveiled a number of items owned by Mrs Watson.
A claw hammer (pictured) was located in the vicinity of these items owned.
Police are seeking assistance from anyone who may either own the hammer or have information regarding how it came to be located in this area.
Anyone with information which could assist with this matter should contact Crime Stoppers anonymously via 1800 333 000 or crimestoppers.com.au 24hrs a day.

Harp of the South

Colin Offord playing his haunting music at the Arts Complex

 Colin Offord is an unusual talent:  crossing the boundaries between music, instrument craftsmanship and visual arts within communities, he is bringing new perspectives to what it means to live on the Southern Moreton Bay Islands.
At the end of January, he will be attempting an ambitious community program by building a huge musical instrument out of the very ground of Macleay Island.
The Earthharp will be constructed of long piano wires stretched between trees.  The vibrations from these wires will be conducted into holes in the ground to create resonant rich sounds.
Colin Offord and Yilan Yeh will conduct workshops to both build and play the instrument.
"The structure can be played solo or by small groups and it is an excellent instrument for developing musical skills and originalities through improvisation" said Colin.
Commencing January 30 the programme will run on Tuesday through to Sunday on  at 13 South Sea Terrace, Macleay Island.  In the mornings between 10am and 12 the focus will be on building the instrument and developing the site.  In the afternoons between 3pm and 6pm the sessions will be for playing music developing techniques and working through ideas on how to use the unusual instrument
For further information telephone 34094874, email info@colinofford.com or go to the www.colinofford.com website

The project is being sponsored by the Regional Arts Fund which is a partnership of the Queensland Government and the Redland City Council.