Collu v Rinaldo

This matter concerned an appeal by the Appellant Mother against orders made by the Federal Magistrates Court. The dispute involved the terms of contact between the Respondent Grandparents and their grandchildren. The court was required to determine the specific arrangements for the children to spend time with their grandparents, as well as ancillary orders concerning communication, notification of travel, and prohibitions on certain behaviours.

The court considered the Amended Minute of Order sought by the Appellant Mother, which detailed specific contact arrangements for weekends, Christmas Day, and Boxing Day. The orders also addressed the practicalities of these arrangements, including collection and return of the children, the provision of school materials, and communication protocols. Crucially, the court also made orders restraining the Respondent Grandparents from providing alcohol to the children, from denigrating or verbally abusing the Appellant Mother in the children's presence, and from attending or loitering near the Appellant Mother's residence. Further restraints were placed on the Respondent Grandparents regarding intimidating or threatening behaviour towards the Appellant Mother and her family, and discussing the proceedings with the children.

The court made orders in accordance with the Amended Minute of Order sought by the Appellant Mother, which established a detailed schedule for the children to spend time with the Respondent Grandparents. These orders included provisions for weekend contact, specific arrangements for Christmas and Boxing Day, and alternate years thereafter. The court also made orders regarding school holiday contact, specifying periods of time the children would spend with the paternal grandparents during various school holiday breaks. By consent, the proceedings were transferred to the Federal Magistrates Court, Wollongong.