News and magazine articles regarding Wayne Carey seem to be popping up in the news media at an ever increasing rate these days. No matter what you might think of the guy, his name must still be good for selling a lot of newspapers and magazines. As Wayne is my cousin I do have a personal interest. Some of the stories may be true, some are full of unfounded or unproven accusations, some are just plain untrue.
Yes, Wayne did come from a broken home. Yes there are still tensions between the family members. Some of his siblings are closer to their mother, some are closer to their father. The latest news stories and the upcoming Andrew Denton interview on ABC TV, try to illicit opinions from “close” family members. Of course, what the interviewers seem to ignore, is that siblings closer to his mother, Lynette, would be expected to put Kevin down. On the other side of the coin, those close to Kevin, would be expected to side with him. This is hardly news.
Some of the latest stories from the past few days revolve around Wayne’s father, my Uncle Kevin. It seems that a journalist happened to come across Kevin while he was in a pub with his mates. To me this hardly seems to be a crime. When I am 67 I hope to be able to spend some time doing the same.
As often happens in such situations, after a few beers, he was quite vocal and freely gave his opinion of the whole Wayne saga and some of his other family members to boot. He stated that he is proud of his son but that lately Wayne has been acting like an idiot and a dickhead. I’m sure that most familiar with recent events would agree with that sentiment. He probably had a lot more to say on a lot of other matters too, but the journo’s would, of course, select just a few choice comments to build a story around.
Kevin Carey is no saint and he will tell you that himself. He does have a criminal history of minor offences. He will not deny it. He has been tried and convicted, he served his time. He has always enjoyed having a drink. He is a former boxer and footballer. He’s a larrikin by nature. When he gives you his word, you can be sure he means it. He is a tough character, it’s the way he grew up, it’s just the way he is. He tells it like it is, often in colourful language. Even more colourful after a few beers with his mates.
He raised his three youngest children. When the family was first seperated, Lynnette moved to Adelaide with 4 of their 5 children, the oldest son remained in Wagga Wagga, NSW. Wayne was 6 years old at the time. Later, the three younger children Karen, Wayne and Sammy were returned to their father because they wanted to be with him. Wayne’s football career began in Wagga, representing his region and state several times at the junior level. Around the age of 14, he returned to Adelaide to play football.
I have seen these simple facts stated incorrectly so many times in news stories that I have to question the depth of the research actually being done by the journalists. I have seen claims from people who supposedly knew Wayne when he was a 10 year old boy living in homeless shelters with his mother in Adelaide. It’s a nice story, too bad it isn’t true. Wayne was in Wagga Wagga with his father at the time. If his mother was still homeless after 3 years in Adelaide, it’s no wonder he wanted to be with his father. In todays news, the claim has been made that Kevin moved to Adelaide with the children when the family first seperated. Wrong again. It was many years later that he moved to Adelaide.
If the journo’s can’t get these simple facts right, it raises questions about the quality of the reporting. The saga has been dragging on so long it hardly seems newsworthy anymore. It’s certainly not new. There has to be a certain amount of dramatising, of sensationalising or the public is going to lose interest. The media is out to make some money, and the name Wayne Carey is obviously still selling newspapers.
What a about Robert John Carey, apparently he has a bit of a temper like his dad Kevin and his half brother Wayne.
I do not know Robert well as he has lived most of his life in Adelaide. He is now old enough to make his own decisions. I’m sure Kevin would expect him to stand up for himself and accept responsibility for his own actions.
I actually find it strange that a cousin can make such statements.
So you actually say this family didn’t suffer domestic violence & you also assume to know what happened with the family.Out of these kids mouths they said they wanted to be with their father.A member of this family tried to contact this writer through his mother to discuss the rot written on this page but had the phone hung up in her ear. If you are going to put something to print make sure the facts are 100% Fact every age you gave with this family is incorrect the time frames incorrect. Wayne was at Modbury High school in Adelaide at 14 and with NTH Melbourne Football club at 16. Please make no comment about what this family went through. You stated the journo’s get the facts correct, I suggest you do the same.
Sharon, no where did I make that claim about domestic violence. I actually stated that your father was no saint. Read it again.
I’ll assume you do know who Karen, Wayne and Sammy lived with for 12 months when they first returned to Wagga. Don’t presume to be aware of all events or conversations during that time, you were still in Adelaide. I’m sure you will agree he began playing football for North Wagga under 10′s. I’m sure you are aware he represented NSW in the Under 12′s. He was not living with his mother at the age of 10. You can take your own advice. I agree I may have been mistaken about the exact age at which Wayne returned to Adelaide. Thank you for the information, the post has been corrected. I (and all of Wayne’s fans) know very well he played for NM in the under 19′s in 1988 and before that he played in Adelaide.
In the interest of clearing up some other facts, I’ve been led to believe you may have had some financial assistance from your younger brother and you let him down. Is this true or was it another member of the family? The journo’s might be interested.
I am not getting into a slanging match over the internet,although just because some one played under 19′s doesn’t mean their 19. Actually I like the financial trouble please state the facts you know & I will sue you for defamation. I have forwarded this article to solicitors. You also made statements that some of us side with our mother and some of us side with our father I suggest you pick up a phone. Ring the 5 of us and each and everyone one of us will tell you we adore our Mother.Yes I know where the children were and they still speak of it with such sadness they were frightened children. The facts you stated about Lyn were once again incorrect. Bring the journo’s on I look forward to stating a whole lot of truths.What this family does is none of your business we have zero to do with you & haven’t for over 20 years. Defend Kevin all you like but keep us out of it.
Nobody is asking for a slanging match, you just keep posting more. Now here are some facts for you.
1. Yes Sharon, the math about his age is very simple, that’s why the comment clearly states the year he was playing Under 19′s. I’ll break it down for you since you seemed to have missed that. 1988 would have been the year Wayne turned 17, so yes, that does mean he was 16 at the start of that season. Simple isn’t it?
2. I made no mention of financial trouble. I asked you if a rumour regarding financial assistance was true. You have not answered my question. Your solicitor can explain this to you.
3. I’m sure you all love your mother, I made no claims to the contrary. Some of your siblings also recently stated on national television that they love their father as well.
4.What facts have I stated about Lyn? Read it again.
5. Wayne has had more to do with my family than you seem to be aware of in the last 20 years. Perhaps your source does not tell you everything.
Fact in your eyes. What ever!!!!! I know the conversations I have had with all involved other than Kevin.
I will reiterate we have zero to do with any of you. So I have I broken that down for you.
I am aware categorically, My family have nothing to do with your family by choice.
As I stated previously a phone call was made to your mothers home re this article by another member of the family and the phone was hung up in her ear.
Once again mind your own business.
My finances or any one else in this family have got ZERO to do with you.
Rumors are very dangerous things. Do you want me to POST a few rumors I have heard about your family.
Phone Sam, Wayne perhaps Karen. Do you have their numbers?
I am in the book ring me we can catch up. I am happy to discuss these rumors face to face we could meet. Sam and I are both happy to meet you, we can discuss issues raised in the article.
Fact, you are quoted as saying your family has nothing to do with the media anymore. Perhaps you could be mistaken on that note.
Nice to hear one of you tried to get in touch with my mother. Very thoughtful of them. Her and Dad are getting on a bit these days and have some health issues.
Rumours are just rumours. Feel free to post any you choose. Anybody who reads this might enjoy them. I know I’m looking forward to seeing them. I haven’t lived in Wagga for the last 9 years so I’ve missed a lot of gossip.
I’m also in the phone book if you care to look.
My original post was directed at inaccurate stories that have appeared in the media. You can raise your concerns with the original sources if you like. Jacqueline Willcox is one source you might like to contact. Apparently her story in “The Age” newspaper has upset your mother. That is one of the stories I referred too, her facts were not accurate. You can ask your mother about this, or do a search on the net, it’s public knowledge.