Mark Irwin jailed for a maximum of 5.5 years after sexual penetration, indecent act with child

A former Geelong College music director, who also taught at Newcomb Secondary College, has been sentenced for sickening and “intrinsically violent” child sexual abuse.

The Geelong College’s former music director has been sentenced to more than five years jail after he sexually abused a student during two incidents in the early 2000s.

Mark Irwin, 64, will have to serve a minimum of three years for offending that County Court Judge Michael Bourke described as “intrinsically violent” due to the victim’s injuries.

At the time of the offences the victim was aged under 16.

The court heard most of the offending occurred in a toilet block at Balyang Sanctuary in Newtown after a chance meeting between Irwin and the victim who was riding his bike.

Mark Irwin.

Mark Irwin was found guilty of sexual abuse.

Irwin — of Geelong West who denied the offending when interviewed by police in 2018 — coaxed the victim into the toilet block where he performed sexual acts on the student over the course of about half an hour.  

The court was told the victim, who tried to hide his injuries, was bleeding and in pain after the abuse.

During a hearing this month the victim told Irwin, who was a former teacher at Newcomb Secondary College and the former conductor of the Geelong Concert Band, detailed the horror impact.

“To the man who stole my childhood and ultimately my life: You should’ve killed me,” he said.

“That would’ve avoided 20 years of torture, self-sabotage and, more recently, guilt that others may have suffered the same because I couldn’t come forward earlier.

Disgraced former music teacher Mark Irwin. Picture: Facebook

“You have created a victim who hates themself and feels worthless every single day.”

The victim also criticised Geelong College’s response when he reported the offending.

Following a trial this year where the victim gave evidence, Irwin was found guilty of two counts of sexual penetration, and an indecent act with a child.

Judge Bourke who imposed a maximum sentence of 5.5 years said the offending had a “high and lasting” impact and left the victim with anxiety and feeling worthless.

“Your victim was very young and vulnerable. You had a duty of care towards him,” Judge Bourke said.

“Your offending was a betrayal of trust of the victim, his family and the community.”  

Judge Bourke said Irwin was sentenced as a “serious sexual offender.”

Irwin worked at Geelong College until he was suspended in 2018 when the school said it became aware of the allegations.

Geelong College Principal Peter Miller said the school assisted police with the investigation, and immediately suspended Mr Irwin’s employment after learning of the allegations.

“We are truly sorry for the abuse suffered by the victim, and others in our care,” Dr Miller said.

“We recognise the harmful effects of sexual abuse upon our former students, and we continue our committed endeavours to support each survivor of abuse with care, sensitivity and dignity, and in the manner most appropriate for their healing.

“The Geelong College is committed to ensuring that every child in our care is safe and well cared for.

“For several years, we have been working with staff and our community, as well as students, to ensure a child safe culture prevails and to ensure such incidents do not happen again.

“All of our staff have undergone extensive child protection training and education, over and above the mandated child safety policies and procedures.

Geelong College has an independent facilitator Pauline Ryan who can assist former students who have been affected by abuse.

Ms Ryan is available on 1800 260 038 or Dr Miller on [phone].

Geelong police’s sexual offences and child abuse investigation team is available on [phone].

Originally published as Mark Irwin jailed for a maximum of 5.5 years after sexual penetration, indecent act with child