Cheltenham Residential Training Centre

Cheltenham Residential Training Centre (also known as the St John of God Training Centre) in Cheltenham, Victoria, was established by the St John of God Brothers in 1953. The institution housed around 100 Catholic boys aged between 7 to 16 years of age who had mild intellectual disabilities. This include many State wards who were unable to live with their parents. The Centre occupied the former site of the Methodist Homes for Children in Cheltenham which consisted an area of 20 acres. Initially the institution was subsidised by the Mental Hygiene Authority, who supported the Brother's aim in establishing a home, special school and training centre. The Centre closed in 1967 as the property was sold in 1966 to Myer and associated interests as the Brothers prepared to re-establish the home at Greensborough. The new home was to be called Churinga.

The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse published figures in 2017 in its Final Report: Volume 16, Religious Institutions Book 2 showing that 23 claims had been made against the St John of God Brothers for allegations involving sexual abuse at the Centre. Some of the alleged perpetrators who served at Cheltenham (and amongst other St John of God institutions) include Brother Killian Herbert; Brother Flannan Delaney; Brother Bede Donnellan (real name John Joseph Donnellan); Brother Berchmans Moynahan (real name Martin Joseph Moynahan); and Brother Eugene Lee.

Moody Law has in the past and is still currently representing clients who were victims of child sexual abuse by members of the St John of God Brothers.

We invite former victims 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.