RRT Response to The Age/Sydney Morning Herald Article
STATEMENT
On Sunday 12 April 2026, The Age published a story called “Cartoon bird behind church attempt to ‘silence victim”.
Rapid Relief Team (RRT) provided the following response to the journalist, which was largely ignored in the story.
Media question: Please respond to the allegation that RRT is “the PR wing of the PBCC” whose job is to whitewash the church’s reputation or, in the terms of the legal response, to “bury the darker truths hidden behind closed doors”.
Response attributable to a spokesperson for RRT:
“This characterisation is both cynical and incorrect.
“RRT is a charitable organisation that provides tangible support for communities in need. Last year alone, more than 16,500 volunteers across the globe contributed close to 90,000 volunteer hours, supporting over 2,300 organisations through the donation of more than 69,000 products or by supporting their events with more than 488,000 meals.
“RRT is motivated by Christian values, and our volunteers believe in giving back to help those in need.”
Media question: Please respond to the allegation that the RRT lawsuit is a “censorship campaign masquerading as a copyright case” and an attempt to “game the system”.
Response attributable to a spokesperson for RRT:
“This allegation is wrong – this matter relates solely to the protection of copyright work in RRT’s logo. The resolution we have proposed and communicated to Ms Bawtinheimer is that if the videos were edited to remove RRT’s logo they could be reposted.
“We have offered to tell the Court the issue has been resolved, and she would not have to pay costs, if she agreed to edit RRT’s copyrighted content from her videos and refrain from using RRT’s copyrighted work without permission going forward.”
Media question: Please respond to the allegation that Cheryl Bawtinheimer’s alleged sexual abuser was a volunteer for RRT until at least May 2023.
Response attributable to a spokesperson for RRT:
“This matter should be referred to Ms Bawtinheimer, the person she made a complaint about, or the Police – not a charity he has not been involved with, as we understand it, for some years.
“RRT made a statement after your last article, which can be viewed here.
RRT is also aware that this more detailed statement was issued by the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church.”
Media question: Is Cookie the kookaburra, as alleged in the pleadings, a mashup of clip art, created from a standard stock image?
Response attributable to a spokesperson for RRT:
“Cookie the Kookaburra is an original design created by professional graphic designers in response to a specific design brief.”
Media question: Will the PBCC continue to pursue its copyright claim?
Response attributable to a spokesperson for RRT:
“The premise of your question is incorrect on two fronts. Firstly, it is RRT’s claim, not the PBCC’s. Secondly, RRT offered to withdraw the claim if the logo was removed, but as the claim has not been settled, proceedings must continue.”
For enquiries, please email: [email protected]
