Four historic child abuse claims against Monivae College, at Hamilton in Western Victoria, have cost the religious order which ran the school more than $6.5 million in damages and legal costs over the past six months.
And the total is expected to rise significantly, with at least five more cases listed for trial next year.
Rightside Legal partner Michael Magazanik says the Catholic boarding school, run by the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart, failed in its duty of care, with two of the religious brothers involved in most of the cases between 1973 and 1984.
“The key abuser was Brother Edward Mamo, who ran the laundry, drove the bus, and coached hockey, and was charged with offences against more than 20 students and twice jailed. Brother John Frith was also charged with offences against multiple students but acquitted.
“Nevertheless, the Missionaries have finally been forced to accept responsibility for the lifelong damage caused to four boys at the school.”
“As well as Mamo and Frith, our clients also named other staff who routinely beat students with their fists and straps and even a fan belt. Some of the staff took great pleasure in inflicting pain on students who were often little boys and living away from home for the first time.”
“The cases to follow in 2026 will further outline the school’s failure to protect its students over many years.
“And while the millions of dollars paid by the Missionaries in compensation may seem a lot, the dollar figure is over-shadowed by the cost borne by former students for many decades.
“They have missed out on work opportunities, suffered broken relationships and damaged mental health, and some have suffered substance abuse and addiction, because of the harm they suffered as children at Monivae.
“Rightside Legal has exposed a damning history of the sins of past regimes at Monivae College, and the lack of care and concern by the leaders of the Missionaries of the Sacred Hearty about what was going on at the school.”
Contact:
Michael Magazanik, partner, Rightside Legal 0403 367 608
Andrew Taylor 0411 156 797
RIGHTSIDE LEGAL
In recent years Rightside Legal has set legal precedents: the first trial win against the Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne; and the first cases in Western Australia and Victoria to overturn previous settlements in sexual abuse cases. The largest verdict for an abuse survivor in Australia. After decades of being denied justice, survivors are now being properly supported late in their lives.
Rightside Legal has also set records, with multi-million-dollar settlements for former students in private and government schools and orphanages.
Not all cases set records, not every case is a first, but every case matters.
