Rodeo and Pryor and Anor

This case involved an application concerning the children T, A, and E, with the maternal grandmother, Ms Rodeo, appearing as the applicant, the father, Mr Pryor, as the respondent, and the mother, Ms Matthew, also appearing as a respondent. The proceedings were heard over seven days in May and August 2009.

The court was required to determine issues relating to the parental responsibility for the children, including decision-making for their long-term care, welfare, and benefit, as well as arrangements for their daily care. Further, the court had to establish specific orders regarding the children's living arrangements, the time they would spend with each parent and the maternal grandmother, including during school terms, holidays, and on special occasions. The court also needed to address communication protocols, travel arrangements, access to school and medical information, and general conduct between the parties.

Waddy J discharged all previous orders concerning the children and made new orders establishing equal shared parental responsibility for long-term decisions, with the father having the final say on schooling after consultation. The children were ordered to live with the father. Detailed provisions were made for the mother and maternal grandmother to share time with the children during school terms and holidays, with specific arrangements for Christmas holidays, birthdays, Father's Day, and Mother's Day. The orders also included stipulations for liberal telephone and email communication, restrictions on taking the children out of New South Wales without agreement, and protocols for interstate travel if the mother resided in Melbourne. Furthermore, the court imposed non-denigration clauses, restrictions on alcohol and illegal substance consumption, and prohibitions against physical chastisement and leaving the children unsupervised. All parties were ordered to complete a Parenting After Separation course.