‘No gratification or arousal’: Ex Carey coach says comments were ‘just a poor choice of words’

Former head of rowing at Melbourne’s Carey Grammar, Richard ‘Dick’ Bartlett, has been investigated over claims he made sexual remarks to students he coached, with references to hookers.

A leading former private school rowing coach has been under investigation for making sexual references in his coaching of students, the Herald Sun can reveal.

Richard Bartlett, the former head of rowing at Carey Grammar School, has been interviewed by external investigators after students, parents and staff raised concerns about his behaviour.

Mr Bartlett, who abruptly left the elite private school in November last year, has been accused of making lewd remarks to rowing students including a reference to hookers.

Up to a dozen male and female students, coaches and school staff were interviewed as part of the inquiry.

Richard ‘Dick’ Bartlett left Carey abruptly midway through the rowing season citing personal health reasons. Source: LinkedIn

It’s understood the Commission for Children and Young People has told those who made complaints that a number of the allegations against Mr Bartlett had been substantiated and met the requirements of reportable conduct.

Mr Bartlett, known as “Dick”, left Carey Grammar abruptly midway through the rowing season citing personal health reasons and is now the head development coach at Melbourne University Boat Club.

The Herald Sun is not suggesting Mr Bartlett is guilty, only that the allegations were made and investigated.

A parent from the rowing program said Mr Bartlett’s behaviour “sat outside the values of the school”.

A concerned Carey Baptist Grammar parent said the behaviour was “appalling” and upset many students.

“This is not what we believe the school culture to be. It’s appalling behaviour by one teacher, and upset a lot of students.”

The parent said: “This language and toxic masculinity, particularly around young men, and women, is dangerous. At a coeducational school, when you have young men and women together we expect respectful language to be modelled.

“We want our children to be treated better and in line with school policy.”

They said the behaviour took place over a long period of time.

“At an organisational level I would like to see some learnings,” they said.

Mr Bartlett told the Herald Sun that after having “an unblemished record of 35 years in teaching” he demonstrated “poor judgement” in his choice of language.

Mr Bartlett is now the head development coach at Melbourne University Boat Club.

“You reflect and realise that coaches may have talked that way to you in the ‘80s but it’s not appropriate now,” he said.

“You live and learn”.

Mr Bartlett said there was “nothing sexual in nature and no gratification or arousal” in his comments.

“On reflection, it was just a poor choice of words,” he said.

He said the “system is failing staff”.

“Rumours fly and under mandatory reporting, schools have to investigate any allegation”.

“I bear no ill will towards the school. It didn’t end in the way I would have liked,” he said.

Mr Bartlett had been the head of rowing at Carey Grammar since October 2022, and before that spent more than ten years as the director of rowing at Brighton Grammar.

He was previously the director of Rowing Victoria.

Carey Grammar’s student rowing numbers have suffered a severe drop in recent years.

The school and Melbourne University Boat Club have been contacted for comment.

Originally published as ‘No gratification or arousal’: Ex Carey coach says comments were ‘just a poor choice of words’