The Teacher’s Pet: more ex-students accuse former Cromer teachers of sex crimes

Blanket media coverage of the Lyn Dawson cold case is prompting more people to come forward about historical sexual assaults.

Former Cromer High School vice-captain Robyn Wheeler. Picture: Liam Driver.

Blanket media coverage of the Lyn Dawson cold case is prompting more people to come forward about historical sexual assaults and student-teacher relationships at schools on Sydney’s northern beaches.

“Recent activity is driving more witnesses to lawyers,” said former Cromer High School vice-captain Robyn Wheeler. “My understanding is people are starting to come out of the woodwork.

“Once people have made a statement, they post something (online) to say ‘I spent three hours yesterday with police’ or ‘I’ve been talking to lawyers’. I’d say there’s definitely a groundswell.”

The Australian’s investi­gative podcast series The Teacher’s Pet ­revealed a “pack” of teachers were having sex with Cromer High students in the 1980s when Lyn’s husband and suspected killer, Chris Dawson, taught there. At the time he was involved in a long-running affair with one of his ­pupils, Joanne Curtis, that started when she was 16 years old.

As a result of the series, NSW police in July set up Strike Force Southwood to investigate.

It is understood that as part of the investigation, police are using aerial maps of Cromer High School to pinpoint where incidents occurred. Police Commissioner Mick Fuller said in an interview with the ABC’s Aus­tralian Story this week that the ­investigation was continuing.

“Strike Force Southwood has been set up to investigate child historic sexual assault matters in the area involving a number of schools,” he said. “We have victims who have come forward but we have information both young girls and boys were victims of sexual assault at the time.”

Ms Wheeler came forward at the start of the podcast to blow the whistle on teachers preying on students. “The police are definitely throwing resources at it,” she said.

Three major television reports on the case this week — on 60 Minutes, Australian Story and A Current Affair — are likely bring out more people.

“I’m delighted to hear the (police dig of Lyn’s former property) is going on,” Ms Wheeler said. “Let’s hope we can get some closure for the two girls and for the family. It’s long overdue.”

Bev McNally, a former Cromer High School student and Dawson babysitter, said it had been an emotional day. “It’s hard to watch. You’re hopeful they will find something. It just all shows that maybe they are listening to us, that something is being done.”