Chelsea • Mordialloc • Mentone
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Wednesday 13 March 2024
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Women of the year recognised THE 2024 Kingston Woman of the Year awards were held last week. Among the award winners on the day were Evelyn Townley, Gwyn Nichols, Kerrie Waworis, Dr Carolyn Beaumont, and Dr Kate Robb (pictured left with Kingston mayor Jenna DaveyBurns). The woman of the year award was shared this year. See story page 3. Picture: Supplied
School abuse inquiry concludes Brodie Cowburn brodie@baysidenews.com.au AFTER hearing from nearly 70 abuse victims, the board of inquiry into historical child sexual abuse in Beaumaris Primary School and certain other government schools has published its final report. In June last year, an inquiry into historical sexual abuse committed at Beaumaris Primary School and other schools where the alleged perpetra-
tors worked was set up. The inquiry’s report was handed down in late February and has now been made public. Over the course of the inquiry, 68 victims came forward. More than 120 people in total spoke to the inquiry, including secondary victims and affected community members. The inquiry focused on allegations against four people employed by Beaumaris Primary School between 1971 and 1972 - Graham Steele, Darrell Ray, David MacGregor, and a person who cannot be named for
legal reasons. The inquiry also heard allegations against two other employees. At the recommendation of the board, a formal apology to students sexually abused at Beaumaris Primary School and other government schools between 1960 and 1994 is expected to be delivered later this year. The inquiry’s report made nine recommendations in total, which included a formal apology, a memorial, the establishment of a statewide
“truth-telling and accountability process” for victims of sexual abuse in Victorian government schools, the development of an online assistance and information hub for victims, and legislative change to ensure information provided to a board of inquiry is kept confidential for at least 99 years. The 466-page inquiry report read that the Victorian Department of Education’s response at the time of the offending was “wholly inadequate”. In October last year, the inquiry confirmed that 24 schools would
be included in the scope of the investigation. They included Chelsea Heights Primary School, Cowes Primary School, Drouin South Primary School, Kunyung Primary School, Warragul Primary School, and the closed Bundalong South Primary School. Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan has addressed the board’s findings. She says a formal apology will be developed, and that the other recommendations will be considered. Continued page 3