Institutional abuse at St Virgil’s College, Hobart

St Virgil’s College is a Catholic boys’ school in Hobart, established in 1911 by the Congregation of Christian Brothers. For generations of Tasmanian families, it has been a significant institution in the life of the state. But alongside its educational history, the College carries a serious and documented record of child sexual abuse perpetrated by members of staff – abuse that was concealed, enabled by institutional culture, and in many cases reported without adequate response.

What happened

The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse examined the Christian Brothers as a case study and documented nearly 400 claims of child sexual abuse involving members of the order in Victoria and Tasmania, with many dating back to the 1970s.

Brother Patrick Timothy Farrell has been identified as one of the main perpetrators at St Virgil’s, where he taught in the 1950s and served as head of the junior dormitory. Brother Maurice (Maurie) Howard, a former teacher at the College, was named in multiple civil claims in the 2010s and publicly apologised to at least one victim.

Stephen Randell was another identified perpetrator at the College through civil proceedings brought by a former student known as ‘Callum’ (who attended St Virgil’s from 1977 to 1981)  volunteered as a sports coach and, later becoming a prominent international cricket umpire. Callum alleged sexual abuse by Randell during a school camp at Coningham Beach in 1979 and on a separate occasion. The case settled mid-trial in March 2025, with the Christian Brothers expressing profound regret and issuing an apology. They encouraged others with similar experiences to come forward.

Randell also taught physical education at Marist Regional College in Burnie in 1981 and 1982, where he was convicted in 1999 on 15 counts of indecent assault against nine female students aged 10 to 12. His abuse at Marist occurred in classroom settings, on excursions, and during home visits. That Randell operated across multiple Tasmanian schools, abusing both male and female students, points to a systemic failure by educational institutions to share information and act on concerns about staff conduct.

Survivor testimony has consistently described a culture of silence in which abuse was ignored or, in some cases, punished when reported, and where perpetrators were relocated rather than removed.

Who may be affected

If you attended St Virgil’s College – particularly as a boarder or student during the 1950s through to the 1980s – and experienced sexual or physical abuse at the hands of a teacher, Brother, or other staff member, you may be entitled to compensation. You do not need to have a complete or continuous memory of events. Many survivors find that even a partial account can support a legal claim, and your experience may also help others who are on the same journey.

How MEJ can help

MEJ has extensive experience in claims involving religious institutions, including the Christian Brothers and the Catholic Church. We understand the particular complexity of these cases – the power imbalances, the culture of silence, and the way that institutional structures were used to minimise or deny harm. We will guide you through your options with care and without judgment.

If you or someone you know has been affected by abuse in any of these settings, MEJ is here to help. Contact us today for a free, confidential conversation with our team, or call 1800 570 778.

If you need immediate support, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or the Sexual Assault Crisis Line on 1800 697 877 (available 24/7).