In February 2026, USU member Jamie Cowan applied for a position within the Open Spaces team at Clarence Valley Council, specifically in the coastal town of Iluka. The job description indicated that while an MR license was desirable, it was not essential for the position. After a thorough interview process, Jamie received positive feedback, and the interviewers expressed their admiration for his suitability for the role. They noted his exceptional ability to tackle responsibilities with both enthusiasm and efficiency, highlighting how seamlessly he had adapted to the tasks at hand.

After completing his referee checks in March, Jamie reached out to the Manager in early May to ask about the status of the position he had applied for. During this conversation, HR informed Jamie that the position was advertised incorrectly; specifically, it was clarified that an MR license was essential for the role. In response to Jamie’s request for a revised position description reflecting the new information, he received the original document he submitted with his application, which did not address the updated licensing requirement.

Jamie then reached out to the USU outdoor delegate, Robert Dugmore, expressing unease about what seemed unusual, especially since this was Jamie’s first permanent role in local government. In response, Robert contacted their USU Organiser Nicole Eldridge to relay these concerns, prompting the USU Organiser to draft a letter to the General Manager (GM) for further discussion about both the USU member’s treatment and the concerns raised. The GM took the issue seriously and initiated an investigation to better understand the context. After reviewing the circumstances, it was revealed that two positions had been advertised, both requiring permanent appointments.

As a result, Council’s General Manager sent our USU member Jamie Cowan a formal letter, offering him the role within Open Spaces Iluka. In this correspondence, the General Manager outlined the position’s responsibilities and highlighted how Jamie’s skills and experience would be a valuable addition to the team. The USU would also like to acknowledge the General Manager Laura Black’s action in rectifying this matter after the USU brought it to her attention.

Pictured above: Member Jamie Cowan and Outdoor delegate Robert Dugmore