Calls to have a rapist’s Aus Day reward relinquished

A Huon Valley man was presented with an Australia Day award for his service to sport but a former mayor says it should have been taken away as soon as he was convicted of rape.

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A former mayor is calling for an Australia Day award given to a former rowing coach in 2015 to be relinquished after the recipient was convicted of rape in 2019.

Timothy Brown was presented with an Australia Day award for his service to sport.

Former Huon Valley Mayor Peter Coad said it should have been taken away as soon as he was convicted.

“The council has not formally withdrawn that award,” Mr Coad said.

“I’m seriously upset because I’m the person who presented the award but I feel for the victims of that crime, I don’t know how they feel.”

Brown was convicted in 2019 after he was found guilty of three counts of indecent assault and one count of rape.

The crimes took place in March 2018 at a school rowing regatta at Lake Barrington.

The victim woke up to Brown entering her tent before he assaulted her despite the woman saying no more than 20 times.

Breaking News Breaking News Timothy Brown. Pic: Huon News

He was sentenced to four years in prison and was eligible for parole after serving half his sentence.

Mr Coad said the Huon Valley Council had been asked by the victim to formally withdraw the award.

The council confirmed the matter was considered at its June meeting.

“The 2015 Australia Day Sports Award to Mr Tim Brown has been relinquished by the recipient,” Acting General Manager Andrew Wardlaw said.

“Council are not in a position to release any further information in relation to this matter.”

Mr Coad said it wasn’t good enough.

“It is important Huon Valley Council sends the right message that victims of crime are supported in every respect possible,“ he said.

“It is acknowledged that all Australia Day awardees have the right to relinquish their awards, but that right is removed should they be convicted of a serious crime.

“It is not up to the convicted person to relinquish such an important and highly esteemed award.”

Former Huon Valley Council Mayor Peter Coad (2016). Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

Mr Coad said the council should reconsider.

“Why has the council — knowing the convicted person has himself relinquished any rights to the award, including the act of self-relinquishing not already formally withdrawn the award?

“I am sure most of the councillors who recommended the award in 2015 would have had it withdrawn at the time of conviction in 2019, and advised the community accordingly.”

Originally published as Calls to have a rapist’s Aus Day reward relinquished