The State Emergency Service has launched an investigation after a video described as a personal attack on former region controller Amanda Williamson was circulated online.
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Ms Williamson resigned unexpectedly from the role in November and has since remained tight-lipped about her decision.
The Mercury can reveal that one of the reasons cited for her resignation was an apparent cyber-bullying campaign against Ms Williamson, which included the video.
“The SES is investigating the production of a video which was a personal attack against Amanda Williamson,” NSW SES Assistant Commissioner and director of emergency management Mark Morrow said.
“We don’t know the source of the video, but the issue is still under investigation."
It is understood the video was not of a sexual nature.
Early in her tenure Ms Williamson, a former Australian Defence Force and current Army Reserves lieutenant-colonel, was criticised for her management style and her role in the restructure of the Hunter’s SES units.
In Maitland, the restructure resulted in the removal of Maitland controller Bruce Varley and his deputy Kyle Nicholas.
The controller position was handed to Ian Robinson, who was at the helm when the super storm hit the Hunter in April last year.
Following Ms Williamson’s resignation, a contingent of SES volunteers, including Mr Robinson, launched a passionate campaign to keep her in the organisation, stating her leadership had been a positive move for the region.
The campaign was unsuccessful and she left the role in December 2015.
At the time, NSW SES Acting Commissioner Greg Newton confirmed that Ms Williamson had been appointed region controller to address cultural issues in the Hunter and make tough decisions on long-standing management matters.
In an interview with the Mercury, Mr Morrow confirmed this was the case and reiterated that Ms Williamson had the support of the state headquarters, but that was not enough to keep her in the job.
“She felt that the resistance to the cultural and organisational change was so great that she was unable to continue in the role,” he said.
“The resistance from a small element of the service and the personal attacks on her were quite difficult for her to deal with.
“Some of these attacks have been dealt with and some are still under investigation.”
Mr Morrow said he was assisting in the investigation to find the source of the video.
“I don’t believe the attacks against Amanda were based on gender,” he said.
“Amanda came in and made observations, based on her military and leadership experience, and noticed a need for change.
“The contemporary SES of today looked different to what she saw when she arrived in the Hunter. There were some people that needed to realise the service they joined 30 or 40 years ago is not the same as it is today.
“In the cases where some of those people couldn’t change, they left the service.”
The Mercury was unable to contact Ms Williamson for comment.
A replacement region controller is expected to be announced in February.
