Brother Rex Francis Elmer

Brother Rex Francis Elmer was born on 1 December 1944 in Deloraine, Tasmania. He joined the Christian Brothers in 1961 as a Juniorate when he was 16 and professed his final vows in 1970. As a Christian Brother, he was given a new middle name, Ignatius (in honour of an ancient saint), thus taking the religious name Brother Rex Ignatius Elmer.

Court proceedings from 1998 indicated that Brother Elmer was a teacher and once a principal who taught at primary and secondary level between 1971 to 1993. This included principal of St Joseph’s Parish Primary School in Warrnambool, Victoria and as administrator/principal at Parade Preparatory College in Alphington, Melbourne. He also assisted in the establishment of a school in Tanzania in Africa. Between January 1971 and September 1976, Brother Elmer was appointed as dormitory master at St Vincent’s Boy’s Home in South Melbourne which looked after male wards of the State of Victoria. He was next appointed to a senior position at the school attached to St Vincent’s in 1971 until June 1976. Allegations of child sexual abuse in 1976 led to Brother Elmer being moved from St Vincent's to take up the position of principal at St Joseph's Primary School in Warrnambool. In 1982, he was moved again from St Joseph’s after more allegations were made of sexual abuse at St Vincent's.

Catholic Church Insurance (CCI) had determined that the Christian Brothers had knowledge of Brother Elmer’s propensity to offend on 13 June 1976. This was based on a June 1976 visitation report and a letter from the provincial at the time, Brother Patrick Naughtin, dated 20 June 1976. The visitation report of the Christian Brothers dated 13 June 1976 stated that while the visitation was occurring, a child-welfare officer reported to the Acting Superior of St Vincent’s and the attached school that Brother Elmer had been interfering with little boys; this was true and it has been attended to by the Provincial. Brother Naughtin told the acting superior in a letter dated 20 June 1976 that he had spoken to Brother Elmer about the situation. Consequently, Brother Elmer left St Vincent’s in September 1976 and was placed in an administrative position in Parkville, Victoria, until January 1977. In 1977, Brother Elmer was appointed as Principal of St Joseph’s Primary School in Warrnambool until 1982. Afterwards he worked in various positions, including in a senior position at the same school attached to St Vincent’s and as a teacher at a school in Tanzania. One person made a claim in 1998 that he was sexually abused by Brother Elmer at St Vincent’s in 1985. In 1993, after anonymous complaints were made about Brother Elmer’s conduct at St Vincent’s, he was recalled to Australia. In 1994, he was removed from the ministry and from having any contact with boys.

In 1998, Brother Elmer pleaded guilty to the indecent assault of 12 males under the age of 16 at St Vincent’s between 1973 and 1975. He was sentenced to five years imprisonment. Furthermore, in 2020, Brother Elmer was charged again by Victoria Police and pleaded guilty to two counts of unlawfully and indecently assaulting boys under the age of 16. Brother Elmer also admitted to assaulting a boy repeatedly between 1971 and 1972 (inclusive). He was due to be sentenced in July of this year over his latest offences.

Moody Law has in the past represented and is still representing clients who were sexually abused by members of the Christian Brothers at various institutions.

We invite former victims of Brother Rex Elmer or of any other member of the Christian Brothers to tell us confidentially what information they may have, and we will explain what options are available to help with these cases.

Call us or complete the confidential enquiry form below.