That story for you later tonight, but first the latest on an elderly widow's battle to
maintain her independence. Last year we reported on some of the tactics used by a small hotel
in Melbourne to try to force 84-year-old Ilma Bennett out of her lodgings. They even called
in a psychiatric assessment team, questioning her competence to live alone. But that backfired
when the doctors reported that she was quite capable of looking after herself. Well as
Mark O'Brien reports, it didn't end there.
For the past year, Ilma Bennett has lived in fear of being evicted from her room in
the Kingsgate Hotel in the centre of Melbourne. 84-year-old Ilma has lived here for 16 years.
Oh, I don't think an animal could be treated any worse than I've been treated. No, absolutely
no. I've been treated like a piece of dirt. Why do you want her to leave the hotel? I'm
not willing to say anything, much is coming with solicitors. If he locks me out of course,
which he can do, well I'll have to go out into the street. She's 84 years old, she's a
little bit older, and you're prepared to throw her out onto the street. Last April, Mark
Colley, the manager of the Kingsgate Hotel, made it clear his new plans did not include
Ilma. She's been here for 16 years, and then you wanted to leave and you don't give her
any reason. Reasons have been given to Mrs Bennett, I'm well aware of the reasons. Well
what are they? I'm not willing to discuss those at this time. On Wednesday night, Ilma
was evicted from the place she's called home for 16 years. Ilma Bennett's worst fears were
when her locks were changed and she was turfed out of the Kingsgate Hotel at 10.30 at night,
left to wander the streets in heatwave conditions. Now she was behind in her rent, which had
been put up, but welfare groups are appalled at the way she's been treated. I think it
is, again we're talking about somebody who's 84, the reality is she doesn't need that sort
of stress in her life. None of us would need that sort of stress, and it is that overwhelming
sense of powerlessness. I mean I do think that was particularly harsh. The police were
involved so I want to know you say they were supporting the response that says it's appropriate
to kick somebody out at 10.30 at night. There's people around me here all the time, but if
I was in a house or a flat I wouldn't feel very secure. Since our last story 10 months
ago, the battle between Ilma and the management of the Kingsgate Hotel has been fought out
in the courts. Ilma's won each round. The hotels responded by jacking up the rent. Ilma refused
to pay the increase and fell behind. Well it's terrible. This no age frail person should
be ever evicted, let alone a young person at that age. So obviously it's an outrage.
Brian Lipman from the Winteringham Welfare Agency. Mrs Bennett is a product of market
driven forces. As the hotels are purchased and renovated, even if they're done theoretically
at a low income, that income is not within the range of a pension. Carmel Boyce from
the Tenants Association. I think that treatment's appalling. You don't evict someone into 40
degree heat in the middle of the night, especially someone who's as old and frail as Mrs Bennett.
This must be a lot of stress on you. Oh, you've no idea. If I wasn't as fairly strong,
you know, person and believe in democracy so greatly and my husband, an NX serviceman
who died early, well that makes me very strong. Mark Colley wasn't at work today, but his
assistant is Robert Lanz. Can you understand the community anger out there about this issue?
That's life. Well I just want to tell them that they should respect decent citizens and
they shouldn't throw us out just because they want, you know, they're this greedy, it's
just greed. Ilma was always fighting a losing battle, but she never backed off. Do you think
in some way she's a symbol of independence? She is and I mean there are lots of things
to be admired about that, the ability to stick to your guns and not to be welfareised and
people to take over your life. She has said this is my home and she's stuck her heels
in and why not? You must feel pretty angry about all this. Oh angry? I'm hostile about
the whole thing. I don't think this could happen to any decent Australian. Many people
have offered Ilma other accommodation, but she knocked them all back. The feisty widow
was quite happy where she was. And how do you think you're being treated? Oh, words
just can't describe it. It's just that I'm a second class citizen and I'm just a nobody.
That's life. Can you understand anyone saying that? That's Mark O'Brien with that report.
We understand that Ilma tonight is staying with relatives in Melbourne. Next the Adelaide
school that was suspending so many troublemakers, they had to find a better way to deal with
them and they have. They find school irrelevant to their needs. The only reason a lot comes
is to see my mates and stuff. Society has to be the bird. This program proudly brought
to you by Nissan Pulsar. Just wait till you drive it. Tonight on Berg's Backyard. What
can you do with it? Don's got some great suggestions. This looks pretty stunning, doesn't it? At
home with Australia's tennis champion Mark Whitford and the delightful Jack Russell,
Berg's Backyard tonight online. Coming soon to Globe Derby Park, the sensational Adelaide
inter-dominion. The Kiwis, Iraqlis and Ricky May. Desperate comment Graham Lay. Adelaide's
own Lisa Justice with Rainbow Night. All the way from Ireland, Sable Matters. The reigning
champion Young Mr. Charles. Our surf ancillot Brian Hancock. Trackside entertainment, free
draws, marching girls, free children's amusements. The sensational Adelaide inter-dominion blasts
off at Globe Derby Park, Saturday, 1st of March. Announcing three great bestsellers
from Fisher and Paykel Fridges. A free Dimex gift voucher for your choice of best-selling
books. Win a Qantas bestseller, a family holiday to the Radisson Plaza Hotel Cairns. But only
with Fisher and Paykel's best-selling fridges. Most health insurance companies only offer
family membership which covers children up to 19 years old. SGIC covers children to 21
years of age at no extra cost. The West End of the City of Adelaide has a rich cultural
history and in recognition of the opening of the new City West campus at the University
of South Australia, a photographic exhibition has been created for students and the public
at large. The exhibition provides an historical context for the new campus and shows the history
and urban change of the City West. There are photographs of the new campus together with
new images of the future of the City West Precinct. Commencing on Monday 24th February
at 9am and running all week, this exhibition is a must to see.
Pulse RLX are down at Hatch with free air. Just wait till you drive it.
Welcome back to the heat of Adelaide. An update now on that story that we brought to you last
night about two employment agencies with hundreds of jobs available for young people but unable
to fill them. Now both groups have been flooded with calls today, more than 500 applications
for the 280 positions on offer from Retail Training Victoria. And Deborah Templar says
that tells us that she's already interviewed about 100 of them and in Sydney Bronwyn Willett
of the Hospitality Training Network has already booked about 40 appointments for jobs as trainee
chefs but she still wants to hear from more young people, especially those willing to
look for work or rather willing to work on Sydney's North Shore. And Jane Hanson has
some more good news about the two young women we met earlier this week who've gone through
a year of knockbacks in their search for work.
Rebecca Jordan and Renee McNulty know all about job queues. They've been unemployed
for 12 months and found out the hard way that youth and inexperience does not impress the
employees.
And have you ever worked in hospitality before?
No, I haven't. They want too much from young people. They want too much experience and
it's hard for people that just leave school to get that much experience.
When we followed Rebecca and Renee for a week we got the picture.
I don't think I have enough experience for what they want.
Okay then, thanks very much. They need fashion experience and we don't have any, because
they don't have a manager to train us.
Don't you have any positions vacant at the moment?
Not at the moment, no.
I don't know if you have any positions going here at the moment.
So the basic story is, where's your experience?
Yep.
You get sick of hearing the same old story, it's like a broken record isn't it?
Yeah.
What these girls knew first hand was officially backed up earlier this week with the release
of the Morgan & Banks job index. The survey showed that Australian bosses were reluctant
to take on the young and inexperienced.
We see it every day at the CES. There's a lot of young people out there that have just
left school or been unemployed for a long time and they're good people, but just no
one will give them a go.
Did you find anything on touch screens?
Yes.
Two jobs?
Two jobs.
Okay, what are they for?
Two clerical attorneys.
Rebecca and Renee showed the nation that they were real tryers and their world changed overnight.
Telephone manner, reception experience, some filing, some keyboard skills, you've got that.
They've seen us and they've seen how we are, how we present ourselves, how we talk
and things like that, so they've just decided that they might give us a go.
Hello?
Hello, is that Rebecca?
Yes it is.
We're here with interview offers, so it's up to Rebecca and Renee to go for the jobs
they wanted.
So at this stage, what, butterflies in tummies?
Yep.
I saw you on Tummy the other night.
Glenda McLennan runs advanced couriers in Sydney's West. She liked Rebecca's attitude
and was prepared to offer Rebecca what she'd been searching for since leaving school over
a year ago.
I am prepared to train you and take as much time with you as I feel you need.
Rebecca reminded me a little bit of what I was like, I think, at a similar age, only
positions were a lot easier to find when we were children. She's a young girl, I think,
that wants to go places and she's not frightened to stand up and speak her mind.
The job, general office duties and computer work.
Alright sweetheart, see you at 9 o'clock.
9 o'clock, Monday morning, I'm forward to it.
Okay.
And Hannah, I hope mum and dad will be pleased.
So you're a nice family company here and Rebecca's now part of the family.
Yes she is, she's going to come and join us and we're all going to be happy and work hard.
Now yesterday you told me that your self-esteem had suffered from knockback after knockback.
Yeah.
How are you feeling today?
Very excited, happy, can't wait to find out.
Renee had her heart set on a clerical traineeship and the New South Wales Small Business Training
Company had one such position up for grabs. At first, the interview.
I like a traineeship because it gives me all the experience that I need and I could
come out with a job on the other end and I just think it would be great to work here.
The interview goes well and finally, after a year of frustration and countless knockbacks,
Renee gets her first break.
I can't see what's been holding you back really, not at all. I mean it's a traineeship
position, you don't need any experience, so it's entry level.
Congratulations.
Thank you.
Two very happy girls begin their working lives on Monday.
Are you nervous about starting on Monday?
Yep.
She'll be fine.
Jane Hanson there with two lucky young Australians. Now to the high school here in Adelaide which
is helping trouble making students get back on the rails. It was a problem that simply
couldn't be ignored. Last year the school was forced to suspend an astonishing 14%, 14%
of its boys. Kicking them out of class obviously made life easy for those who wanted to learn,
but what about all those young lives going to waste? More now from Alan Craig.
Morford Vale High School in Adelaide South looks like any other, but there's a problem
here. Too many bad boys and they just keep getting thrown out. Boys like Gavin.
What was the last time you got suspended?
About a month ago.
What did you do?
Run away from teachers.
Running away from teachers?
Yeah, like they tell me to do something, tell them piss off or whatever and walk away.
Jonathan, how many times have you been suspended?
About five.
Tell me about them.
The first time I was suspended I got caught graffitiing and carrying an offensive weapon
and they suspended me for five days.
And what was the offensive weapon?
Tiger knife.
Tiger knife? What's a tiger knife like?
It's a pretty big knife.
Sean is another who just keeps getting sent home.
I got suspended for one day because I hit him in class.
You hit him in class?
Yeah.
Why did you hit him?
Because he's annoying.
So where did you hit him?
In the head.
Entering a teacher back, not cooperating in class, being sent to withdrawal room through
minor misbehaviour, lack of cooperation in the classroom.
Headmaster Doug Moyle has the unenviable record of inflicting the most suspensions.
There's an increase because at this school we've tried to protect the rights of students
to learn and teachers to teach and so when there is an appropriate behaviour, ultimately
following our behaviour management procedures it eventually gets to suspension.
The headmaster is keen to point out that this school does do well in other areas.
The Asteadford team are champions, but the bad boys don't want any part of that or anything
else that goes on at school.
I know it's just crap, like boring.
And the reason a lot comes to see my mates and stuff, but then I don't like that.
I'll just go home or something.
It's just boring, you don't learn hardly anything.
Do you like school?
No, not really, it's boring.
In today's education system there's little the teachers or the headmaster can do other
than suspend the students behaving badly.
But you'd understand there'd be a lot of people watching this who would say, well what these
kids need is a good hard kick in the backside.
That's correct, and certainly in the past they probably would have got that.
The problem with suspensions is that some of the kids actually like them.
Just hang around at home, listen to music.
So do you like getting suspended?
Yeah.
You do.
You've missed 25 days from school this year.
It's not a very good record, is it?
I know.
Do you feel bad about it?
Not really.
Why not?
I don't really care.
So you like getting suspended?
No, it's fun when you sit down.
If they're suspended consistently what's actually happening is they're not at school
and they're missing their education and they're falling behind other students.
And it makes it very difficult when they return to actually catch up because we're talking
about kids who are not turned on to schooling in any case.
What worries Doug Moyle is that the kids are throwing away their own futures.
If they keep acting up and ignoring their schoolwork, their chances later look slim.
They haven't developed the skills that will get them employment,
and so they become a burden on society, I guess.
We're going to catch him.
Hurry up.
Help, Marlon.
Doug Moyle's unique response is to set up a special program for the troublemakers.
It's based on teamwork and commitment, but it looks like fun.
To try and keep them in a normal educational setting is not meeting their needs,
and as they act up they're denying other students the opportunity to gain a reasonable education.
The course has been running for three months now, and according to Doug Moyle,
it already looks promising.
I guess in an ideal world you wouldn't have to do it.
They really need to do something to keep them at school so they can benefit
from the school programs as well as develop the kind of social skills
that they need to gain employment.
Remember Sean? Do you like school?
No, not really. It's boring.
Look at him now.
I'm pleased that the program was run this year because it gets me out of class a little bit,
keeps me out of trouble, and it helps me with my schoolwork.
Adam Craig with that report from Adelaide.
We'll keep an eye on that program as well.
When we come back, the woman accused of brow-beating
and abusing young Australian gymnasts has her say.
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Welcome back.
The Gymnastics Hall at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra
is a flurry of tiny flipping bodies.
At the centre, coach Zhu Ping Tian barks sharp orders at her charges.
Now, the Chinese-born Dynamo is one of the Institute's elite coaches.
Her training style is tough and critics say too tough.
Two years ago, she had to defend her methods at a Senate inquiry.
Zhu Ping was cleared, rather, of any wrongdoing,
but the allegations took their toll on the coach and on the athletes.
Edwina Gatenby has the story.
One, two, head up, head up.
This is the woman responsible for dragging Australian gymnastics
from embarrassing obscurity to sixth in the world.
But for Zhu Ping, the cheers were soon muted by damning allegations
that success had come at an unacceptable price for the young girls.
Head up, head up, head up.
I'm just being screamed at.
Girls have been deprived of liquid,
been force-treated like they were in a concentration camp.
Cases of some of the coaches hitting the children.
A picture emerged of a cruel tyrant ruling delicate waifs through fear
of girls starving themselves under Zhu Ping's watchful eye.
In 1995, the federal government announced an inquiry.
Stronger.
That better. Ready?
Quick.
You said that you were cruel.
Are you a cruel coach?
I don't think I'm a cruel. I really suffered hard.
She's like a kind of a second mother.
Kirsty Lee and Katarina lived through the public scrutiny of the inquiry.
It's really hard for us because we have to try and keep training
while our friends at school are going, oh, Zhu Ping's bashing you up,
and you're anorexic and you're small and things like that.
It came as no surprise to the AIS and Zhu Ping that the inquiry cleared her.
I love our trailer. I love kids.
And now I didn't do any wrong things for our trailer for kids.
I'm really confident.
But while Zhu Ping and the AIS were cleared of the abuse allegations,
the wider question remains.
Are the physical and emotional demands of top-level gymnastics
dangerous to these children?
How old are these girls?
They're eight. They're group eight to 12.
They're group 13 to 18.
A male gymnast peaks in his early 20s, a female at just 14 or 15.
So for these girls to make it to the Olympics,
they have to start training seriously from a very young age.
So how old is this little girl? How old are you?
Nine.
And you want to go to the Olympics?
At club level, they start as young as five or six.
They come to the AIS elite program only a few years older.
Why do you train so hard?
Because I want to go to the Olympics.
You want to go to the Olympics.
And why do you want to go to the Olympics?
Because I want to be famous.
Do you have to be tough?
Do you ever feel like quitting?
I do.
At just 11 and 10, Alison and Nicole are aiming for the 2004 Olympics,
but they have years of hard work ahead of them.
Yeah, you get really tired, but you've just got to think,
I'm here to go to the Olympics, and I've got to keep on trying
and do my best, don't worry about the pain.
Is there a lot of pain?
Especially in stretching.
When I first came here, I was just stretching.
I screamed and everyone looked, but now I don't even cry.
I usually just say, ow.
OK, go.
It also means sacrificing many of the pleasures of childhood.
We have to train about 50 hours a week,
and we have to eat the right food to do that,
because you don't want a fat gymnast in the Olympics.
They don't want a fat gymnast in the Olympics?
What would happen if you did put on that?
They would be tired, and they would probably end up
maybe kicking you out if you were too fat.
Weight and performance are always going to be an issue in sport.
As an AIS sports psychologist,
Vicky Depraza keeps a watchful eye on the emotional welfare
of these tiny athletes.
You want to train in the Olympics,
you need to be confident with yourself.
If you're like this, people say no good.
She's an elite coach, and I think any elite coach is going to be tough.
Is that healthy?
I think it's up to the child and the parent
and the support staff here to make sure it is.
Some of them get a bit angry at you sometimes
if you're not doing the right thing,
but other times they're really, really nice.
And how does that make you feel when they get angry?
Sad.
Sometimes I cry, but I know that crying won't help anything.
The kids are doing some dangerous things.
You have to really stop them, stop them, not do it.
The girls aren't as little or as naive as perhaps people imagine.
They're quite focused, they're quite intelligent.
They know why they're here.
They're not here under sufferance,
but it means working hard.
If we didn't want to do it, we wouldn't do it.
Ah, shot!
Normal kids wouldn't get the opportunity to go to the Olympics.
They'd just, like, sit back and say,
oh, I wish I was there.
Edwina Gateby there talking to Zhu Ping,
and we'll come back to Adelaide after this break.
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She's a doctor battling for recognition.
I really can't count on supplying a woman in this role.
And fighting the establishment.
I'm a doctor of medicine, just as you are.
Continuing with a brand new movie-length episode.
Branwell, 8.30 to 9.09.
Fishing is Australia's most popular pastime, we're told.
How safe are the fish that amateurs catch in our harbours
and our rivers and our estuaries?
Next week we find out testing fish caught in all of our mainland capitals.
Australia's got the greatest variety of fish in the world.
I'll give you five bucks for each of them so we can go and test them.
At the lab they were logged, weighed, sampled and analysed.
I ate them and I'm still here.
Very surprised.
Makes you wonder, really does.
Greg Quayle with that report for you next week.
Let's hope that Adelaide gets some relief from this heat and pretty soon.
Wherever you are, have a fantastic weekend.
Thanks for being with us. We'll see you the same time on Monday night. Bye now.
Is it your own daughter cheated you out of your house?
Yes.
I'm always there trying to help them out.
Drop the knife! Drop the knife!
In the United States since it was introduced there have been about 60 deaths.
I feel like a normal person again.
This is not part of our culture to do this.
I'm lost for words.
You get so many knockbacks you just feel like, what's the use?
Is that the catch-22?
No experience, no job.
No experience, no job.
You're nervous about starting on Monday?
Yep.
Schools are expected to be safe and secure.
God disciplines those who he loves.
A 5% or a 10% improvement in quality of life then I think it's worthwhile pursuing.
You can actually wear them for 30 days non-stop.
If you hear of me getting married, slap me.
I'd probably rather just stay on the dole.
You get to stay home.