West Torrens to change name of Hamra Library over links to child sex offender

A sudden turnaround by a local council has child-sex abuse victims and a lawyer celebrating.

Ex-teacher Stephen Hamra Jr was jailed in 2018 for child sex abuse.

An Adelaide local library sharing the name of one of Australia’s “worst-ever” child sex offenders will change its title, leaving advocates in “celebration” mode after months of tireless campaigning.

On Tuesday night, West Torrens Council agreed with Mayor Michael Coxon to revert the Hamra Centre Library – named after former mayor Stephen Hamra – back to its former title.

It will now be called West Torrens Library, after negative backlash from the community over its connection to Mr Hamra’s son – former St Ignatius teacher Stephen John Hamra, who was found guilty of sexually abusing two boys from 1977 to 1986.

Top Adelaide solicitor and victims advocate Andrew Carpenter said he was “pleased that it’s been changed”.

Mr Carpenter outside the Adelaide Magistrates Court. Picture: Brenton Edwards

“The ongoing association with Stephen Hamra in the western suburbs has been triggering for so many of his victim survivors,” Mr Carpenter said.

“I called them late last night and they were both relieved, and it’s given them another sense of closure. They were very relieved and very happy, and they were glad that council did the right thing.”

Last month, a council spokeswoman told The Advertiser it would waive its right to send the matter to community consultation, and instead let the Hamra family decide the future of the library’s name – something Mr Carpenter described as “an absolute cop-out”.

Fighters Against Child Abuse Australia president Adam Washbourne questioned why it had taken so long for council to change the name, likening it to a “backhanded compliment”.

“Why wasn’t it instant – as soon as the guy (Hamra) was convicted?” Mr Washbourne asked.

“Don’t get me wrong, I’m not unappreciative of council’s efforts at all. I am absolutely stoked that they made that decision because it’s the correct decision. It’s a very rare day that we get a win in this industry … so we’ll take the win and we’ll celebrate.”

The library will now be called the ‘West Torrens Library’. Picture: City of West Torrens

On Wednesday, a council spokeswoman said Mr Coxon had, during Tuesdat’s meeting, “recommended an appropriate form of recognition in West Torrens to specifically honour the civic contribution of former mayor SJ Hamra and his wife Marie Hamra”.

Stephen Hamra Sr had a highly respected career and served on council from 1961-1976, and again from 1977–1989 as mayor, before the library was named after him in 2004.

He and his wife are not accused of any wrongdoing.

Originally published as West Torrens to change name of Hamra Library over links to child sex offender