Top Adelaide barrister calls on western suburbs council to rename library linked to ‘sinister’ child sex offender Stephen Hamra Junior

A popular western suburbs library named after a former mayor has come under fire, with a top SA lawyer leading the push to have its name changed due to a link to the former mayor’s son, one of Australia’s most horrific child sex offenders.

A top SA lawyer is leading the push to change the name of a popular western suburbs library due to a link to one of the country’s “worst-ever” sex offenders.

Barrister and victims advocate Andrew Carpenter is urging West Torrens Council to rename its Hamra Centre Library – which was named after former mayor Stephen Hamra, the father of convicted child sex offender Stephen John Hamra.

Mr Carpenter said the library was a “slap in the face” to Hamra’s Junior’s victims and survivors, and called on council to “finally rid the western suburbs of the name Stephen Hamra”.

The Hamra Centre Library, in Hilton. Picture: City of West Torrens

Mr Carpenter is one of the state’s top lawyers. Picture: Naomi Jellicoe

While the library is named after the former mayor who himself has never engaged in any wrongdoing, he said, “the fact the library shares the name with one of the most sinister offenders this country has ever seen is sickening, especially considering the centre is frequented by children.”

“In this day and age it’s terrible optics to have a building that shares the same name as one of the state’s worst child sex offenders.

“While the father should not be impacted by the sins of his son, the mere mention of the name Stephen Hamra should not be honoured, celebrated or mentioned.”

Mayor Stephen Hamra Snr had a well respected career and served on Council from 1961 – 1976 and again from 1977 – 1989, before the library was named after him in 2004. Hamra Snr was also heavily involved in the West Adelaide Football Club.

His son Hamra, 68, taught at both St Ignatius College and Christian Brothers College during his career.

Stephen John Hamra leaving the District Court in 2017. Picture: Greg Higgs.

In 2017 and 2018, Hamra Junior was found guilty of abusing two boys – who were not his students – between 1977 and 1986, and was jailed for that offending in 2019.

Also in 2018, a different former St Ignatius student claimed he was abused by Hamra in 1992 and, when he told the college in 1995, his complaint was “mishandled”.

Greg Trembath, who was abused by Hamra from 1977 until 1986, said the council should “follow the precedent” set by the West Adelaide Football Club

Upon learning of Hamra Junior’s crimes, the club changed the name of its medal – also in honour of Hamra’s father – to the Neil Kerley Medal.

Greg Trembath, who was abused by pedophile Stephen Hamra, has waived his right to anonymity.

“The Hamra’s were much more involved with the club (than with the council), and the club changed the name,” he said.

“For the council, this should be no big deal – but for survivors, it’s a very big deal.

“As a survivor, it puts a chill down my spine every time I see that name – it just transports you back – and I’m not the only survivor of Hamra’s crimes.

“I appreciate the fact the library’s named for his father, but it’s still the same name … nothing changes that fact.”

West Torrens Mayor Michael Coxon said council would “determine the matter in due course”.

Mayor Michael Coxon. Picture: City of West Torrens.

“We are mindful of the extreme sensitivity of this issue and, as always, the health and wellbeing of our community is of utmost importance,” Mr Coxon said.

“We understand the seriousness of the situation and that the name Hamra may be upsetting for people, so we are taking this situation very seriously.”

Originally published as Top Adelaide barrister calls on western suburbs council to rename library linked to ‘sinister’ child sex offender Stephen Hamra Junior