Glenn Miller: Mildura historian facing child abuse material, grooming charges

An OAM who also holds Mildura’s highest civic honour is facing charges of producing child abuse material and grooming.

Mildura historian and former teacher Glenn Miller.

A Mildura historian and former teacher will return to court over child abuse material, grooming and gross indecency charges next month.

Glenn Miller, 77, on Tuesday appeared before Mildura Magistrates’ Court by video link from custody.

Miller’s charges include possessing, distributing and producing child abuse material in January this year.

He is also charged with communicating with a child under 16 intending to facilitate a sexual offence between 2017 and 2020, five acts of gross indecency involving children under 16 in the 1980s, and a further charge of attempting to procure an act of gross indecency in the 1980s.

The court determined these matters would be adjourned for a committal mention on January 12.

Miller pleaded guilty to a number of charges including contravening a condition of bail.

Miller’s lawyer said he had been held in custody since February this year.

The lawyer presented the court with references and details of his involvement with the community since arriving from Melbourne to teach at Mildura High School in 1964.

This included five decades as film society president, 30 years with the historical society, 15 years with the Sunraysia Arts Council and being on the Chaffey Trail advisory committee.

Magistrate Michael Coghlan sentenced Miller to a total of 21 days in jail, on top of his time on remand, for the matters heard on Tuesday.

Miller was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia in 2000 and was in 2004 appointed a Freeman of the City, Mildura’s highest civic honour.

There are only four current Freemen of the City.