Formal Statement, ABC’s 7.30 program
President, Swimming Victoria Susan Smith
In response to the complaint made by Ms Richardson and the request to Swimming Victoria to review the investigation by Nunawading Swimming Club, we would like to provide the following detail.
During a meeting to discuss the Ms Richardson’s concerns, Swimming Victoria’s CEO Jason Hellwig conveyed to Ms Richardson that she had been heard, and he believed she had provided a true representation of her experience. He assured Ms Richardson that appropriate steps would be taken in accordance with the Safe Sport Framework to ensure that her concerns were addressed.
Following that meeting, Swimming Victoria agreed a set of action items on the mutual understanding that the role of Mr Hellwig and Swimming Victoria was not to re-investigate Ms Richardson’s original complaint, but to:
- ensure the swimming club in question had dealt with Ms Richardson’s complaints and appeals appropriately, and
- to determine whether any additional steps should be taken, including with respect to workplace behaviour, culture and practices.
The results of this review confirmed that all procedures were correctly followed throughout an exhaustive process of investigation, independent review and internal club assessment. Swimming Victoria is therefore confident that the matter has been handled in a fair, comprehensive and transparent way and that all appropriate actions have been implemented.
Nunawading Swimming Club has also provided a response which provides substantial detail about their process and response.
Swimming Victoria takes all allegations of misconduct or inappropriate behaviour extremely seriously and is committed to investigating all such complaints through a comprehensive and robust process. The health and wellbeing of all those involved in swimming in Victoria remains our absolute priority.
