Home and Away Shocker: Dana Confronts John Over Discrimination Allegations

in Summer Bay, there’s trouble in paradise when Dana (Ally Harris) accuses surf club manager John (Shane Withington) of discrimination!

The pair seem to have been the perfect team since Dana completed her bronze medallion to become a volunteer lifesaver last May, but there’s one ambition that Dana has yet to fulfil—driving the surf club’s Can-Am buggy, John’s pride and joy.

This week as she starts her shift, Dana once again asks John if she can drive, but it’s a firm no as he quips that he doesn’t have a death wish.

Dana later makes a point of quizzing Mali (Kyle Shilling), in front of John, about how he treats all his employees equally, and suggests that John could learn from him.

John denies that he’s ever showed favouritism towards the other lifesavers over her, and drives off in a huff. Dana’s words appear to cut deep though, as John seeks reassurance from Mackenzie (Emily Weir) over whether he treats his staff equally.

Dana in the meantime vents to Xander, pointing out that all the other lifesavers—who happen to be male—have been allowed to drive the buggy.

Xander agrees that it doesn’t seem fair, as Dana vows to fight it.

Dana confronts John in the clubroom and rips into him, telling him that he obviously has an issue with strong, independent women and is discriminating against her as a result.

Dana refuses to be held back by his “sexist, antiquated values“.

When John manages to get a word in, he points out that it’s simply the case that all the other lifesavers have completed their induction for driving the buggy. Dana immediately takes offence as she asks why she hasn’t yet been given that opportunity.

John tries to explain, but by now Dana is fully on her soapbox.

“No John, women have historically been marginalised in the workforce due to systemic misogyny…” she loudly informs him for all to hear.

However, John manages to interrupt to ask if she checked her emails recently, pointing out that she has had several emails from the club asking her to complete induction… she just hadn’t bothered reading them!

As Dana becomes defensive and asks why he didn’t tell her that’s all she had to do, John points out that she’s had a lot going on, and had in fact asked to cut down on her shifts. He didn’t want to add to her pressure.

“But if you want to resign then so be it,” John says dejectedly. “It must be difficult working with a dinosaur like me…”

As John slinks away, Dana feels awful.

Dana hurriedly completes the paperwork and delivers it back to John, who ignores her invitation to dinner and states they’ll start the training the following morning.

The next day, Xander is amused to see Dana finally fulfilling the dream, overtaking on foot as she drives the buggy at a snail’s pace along the beach with John’s guidance.

Later, now fully authorised to drive, Dana asks John to celebrate with her, but he again turns her down and states that what she said was hurtful.

Dana asks if they can hit the reset button, but John explains it’s not that easy.

“I thought the world of you,” he tells her. “But to hear you think so lowly of me…”

As JP shuts the door on Dana, we’re left wondering if this is the end of a beautiful friendship!

in Summer Bay, there’s trouble in paradise when Dana (Ally Harris) accuses surf club manager John (Shane Withington) of discrimination! The pair seem to have been the perfect team since Dana completed her bronze medallion to become a volunteer lifesaver last May, but there’s one ambition that Dana has yet to fulfil—driving the surf club’s…