Former The Southport School (TSS) student Bill Edgar seeking $2.6m compensation over alleged assaults

A former student is seeking more than $2.6m in compensation from a Gold Coast school almost a decade after putting the spotlight on historic sexual and physical abuse. These are his horrifying allegations.

Former TSS student Bill Edgar is seeking more than $2.6 million in compensation, almost a decade after putting the spotlight on historic sexual and physical abuse at the elite Gold Coast school.

Mr Edgar’s lawyers Slater and Gordon have lodged formal proceedings in the Supreme Court in Brisbane after recent compulsory legal meetings between the parties broke down.

In 2013, the Bulletin wrote about Mr Edgar writing an explosive online biography about the school and years later launching a Facebook page reaching out to old boys.

Bill Edgar pictured outside TSS almost a decade ago. Picture: David Clark.

Mr Edgar started at The Southport School in 1981, having received a five-year sporting scholarship and remained until 1984, staying overnight as a boarder.

His specific allegations of physical and sexual abuse outlined in his claim include:

* former Year 8 English teacher Ron Morse allegedly placing his hands inside his pants and touching him during remedial lessons in early 1981 and 1982.

* his house master Greg Perry allegedly molested and raped him “once to twice weekly” for up to 18 months, forcing him to run away.

* his English teacher Don McGregor allegedly physically attacked him on multiple occasions in the classroom in 1983 and 1984.

In the Supreme Court documents, McGregor is accused of “dragging him by his hair along the carpet, lifting him off the ground by his ears” and kicking the young student, calling him a “charity case” not worth teaching.

Morse and Perry are dead.

Lawyers for Bill Edgar have lodged a Statement of Claim in the Supreme Court. Picture: David Clark.

It is alleged in the court documents that Mr Edgar suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder, a secondary major depressive disorder and secondary substance abuse disorder.

He would incur future expenditure for ongoing medical treatment and medication, it is claimed. A list of the damage claims totals $2,645,575.

A spokesman for the Anglican Church confirmed a claim had been lodged and, as the matter was before the court, “we will not be commenting publicly about the case”.

Slater and Gordon principal lawyer in abuse law Stephanie Brown said the alleged horrific abuse had left lasting scars and had altered Mr Edgar’s life forever.