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A woman who claimed she was kicked out of a wellness retreat for her 'severe depression' has been called out for abusing staff and fellow guests during her stay.
Cassandra Boswell, from Victoria, attempted to sue Elysia Wellness Retreat in Pokolbin, NSW Hunter Valley, for more than $20,000 for discrimination after her stay was abruptly cut short in early 2024.
Ms Boswell had arrived at the retreat, a favourite among high-flying Aussies, on December 27, 2023, but was asked to leave on January 3, 2024, reported The Daily Telegraph.
While she claimed she'd been given the boot five days before her booking ended due to discrimination against her mental health, Elysia staff were quick to point to a long list of behavioural issues.
Ms Boswell had brought her dog, Bella, to the retreat after receiving permission from management but the pup soon began causing issues.
In one instance, Bella became distressed during a group session and peed on the floor, court documents stated.
'You used a face washer to wipe Bella and the floor,' the retreat's management wrote in an email to Ms Boswell.
'You then threw the face washer into the guest's face and told her not to touch your dog ever again.
Cassandra Boswell was kicked out of Elysia Wellness Retreat (pictured) on January 3, 2024, after allegedly abusing staff and guests
Management claimed Ms Boswell had thrown a rag soaked in her dog's urine at another guest during her stay
'The next day when you were walking by yourself you saw the same guest with other people.
'You called her ''a f***ing c***'' and told her not to touch your dog ever again.'
On the second night of Ms Boswell's stay, December 28, several guests complained that 'Bella vomited in the restaurant after being fed from the table' and then 'urinated in the corner of the restaurant'.
'It is not appropriate to feed Bella in the restaurant from crockery used by humans,' staff wrote.
Drama continued on December 30 and 31 when Ms Boswell became embroiled in 'a telephone incident during a tai-chi class' which was 'annoying' for 'staff and guests'.
Bella upset guests again on January 2 when she 'licked a guest's feet and urinated on another guest's shoes and jumper' after being left unleashed during a class.
The next day another guest ended their retreat early due to Bella barking at 6.20am 'every morning'.
'Other guests made a complaint regarding your obscene language towards them during a morning walk at approximately 7.45am,' management wrote.
Elysia Wellness Retreat (pictured) refuted claims it had kicked Ms Boswell out five days before her booking ended due to her 'severe depression'
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Staff also noted Bella had caused damage to a door in Ms Boswell's room after being unattended.
After a disturbing confrontation, one staff member refused to make up Ms Boswell's room after she hurled slurs at him.
'You subsequently called reception again advising you no longer wanted room service, saying: ''I don't want that fag, poof boy'' servicing my room,' management wrote.
The retreat was fed up and sent Ms Boswell an email demanding she 'depart immediately' on January 3.
Ms Boswell claimed she then had to 'hitchhike' 70km to Newcastle Airport, where she then flew home to Melbourne.
Her planned 11-night trip had set her back almost $8,000.
The retreat is a beloved escape for celebrities including Cold Chisel frontman Jimmy Barnes, TV personality Lisa Wilkinson and fashion designer Peter Morrissey.
However, Ms Boswell claimed the facility didn't offer suitable treatments for her mental health recovery as it catered to 'wealthy CEOs, alcoholics and obese men and women'.
She claimed Elysia Wellness Retreat had discriminated against her for her 'severe depression' but management argued she'd been kicked out for 'abusive and unacceptable behaviour'.
The case was dropped by the Federal Circuit Court of Australia as Ms Boswell's complaint was lodged with Australian Human Rights Commission 40 days after the deadline.