this post was submitted on 05 Jan 2026
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In short:

An Adelaide man has been found guilty of contempt of court after ignoring court orders to remove an unauthorised cheese facility built in his backyard.

The Environment, Resources and Development Court found retiree John Kitsis "wilfully disobeyed" court orders.

What's next?

He was ordered to pay court costs exceeding $120,000.

all 24 comments
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[–] SaneMartigan@aussie.zone 38 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) (1 children)

Sounds like Old Mate's trampled on a bunch of council rules then decided he didn't need to follow the court orders about said trampling. He had years to work it out and didn't. The language barrier is no excuse at all. Not speaking English doesn't absolve you of obligations to the court or law.

[–] fizzle@quokk.au 17 points 2 months ago (1 children)

This is one of those "if everybody did that" rules. Sure, it's irksome to be told what you can or can not do in the privacy of your own home. However, if everybody set up a cottage industry in their back yard it would cause obvious problems.

If a neighbor complained, there's a good chance there were odors or pests or whatever. Case in point really.

[–] egrets@lemmy.world 5 points 2 months ago (4 children)

At the risk of sounding stupid, what would the problems caused by a large number of people making their own cheese be?

[–] fizzle@quokk.au 7 points 2 months ago

Making your own cheese is fine. Making commercial quantities is problematic. Mostly related to hygiene, but also quiet enjoyment of neighbours.

[–] SeductiveTortoise@piefed.social 5 points 2 months ago

It would attract Dutch people.

[–] mrcleanup@lemmy.world 4 points 2 months ago

It would undermine the capital leverage of the ruling class, obviously.

[–] makingStuffForFun@lemmy.ml 21 points 2 months ago

I bet that cheese is amazing. Shame he didn't get it up and running properly.

[–] morgunkorn@discuss.tchncs.de 21 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) (3 children)

so it's a greek guy who moved to oz in 1990, but didn't understand the court order of 2020 because he didn't speak english... how do you live 30 years there and don't learn english?!

edit: typo

[–] CTDummy@piefed.social 13 points 2 months ago

Yeah, I thought some degree of English aptitude would be required for citizenship/visas. Though it does also state he wrote in correspondence so could be just an attempt to curry leniency.

[–] Bluegrass_Addict@lemmy.ca 4 points 2 months ago

to busy making cheese. I don't blame them.. leave his cheeses alone

[–] Deceptichum@quokk.au 1 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Why would he need to? We have no official language, and theres Greek communities he can interact with.

[–] gustofwind@lemmy.world 12 points 2 months ago (1 children)

lol not learning the language of the place you move to and have lived for 30+ years? Just because there’s no official language?

Imagine having this level of entitlement in any other country, especially a non English speaking one

[–] Deceptichum@quokk.au 0 points 2 months ago (1 children)

What language? We’re a multicultural country, not an English colony.

Am I meant to be learning Wurundjeri Woi-Wurrung? Because that’s who’s land I moved to.

[–] gustofwind@lemmy.world 12 points 2 months ago (1 children)

You should definitely learn whichever languages the government uses to sue you with. This is true for every country on earth

Most large countries have lots of languages and if you don’t learn at least 1 that they use for government forms and law you are not being a responsible person

[–] Deceptichum@quokk.au 8 points 2 months ago (1 children)

https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/information-your-language?context=64107

We offer information in as many languages as we can and provide translation services for those who need it.

The person in the story speaks one of the most common languages in the country and would have had zero issue in understanding what was requested of them if they actually wanted to. Them claiming not to know is frankly utter bullshit.

I’m proud of being in a multicultural country, I understand it’s a concept foreign to most of the world who aren’t used to it. But it works well and we have an extremely high quality of life.

[–] gustofwind@lemmy.world 7 points 2 months ago

Yes, precisely, they are a bad actor trying to take advantage.

He needs to know the exact amount of English to simply request translation services because you have a generous government willing to do so. That is all I am saying. There is no avoiding that minimal amount of accountability. In a country with an official language or a place where they don’t do that he would be obligated to learn.

[–] No1@aussie.zone 17 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Blessed are the cheesemakers.

[–] Hazmatastic@lemmy.world 5 points 2 months ago

Huh, although I suppose it could apply to any maker of dairy products

[–] friend_of_satan@lemmy.world 14 points 2 months ago (1 children)

"Backyard cheese facility" is one hilarious innuendo.

"I have to bring in a specialist to help out with my backyard cheese facility"

[–] NoPanko@feddit.uk 9 points 2 months ago (1 children)
[–] Taleya@aussie.zone 3 points 2 months ago

And the comments section is full of Italians telling him to go fuck himself

[–] maniacalmanicmania@aussie.zone 6 points 2 months ago

Now I want pizza.