St Patrick’s College Sale

St Patrick’s College in Sale, Victoria began in 1922. It was established by the Marist Brothers and it existed until 1977 when it amalgamated with Our Lady of Sion College (its adjacent girls’ school) to form Catholic College Sale.

Like many other catholic schools around Australia, the School has been involved in allegations and cases dealing with child sexual abuse by some of its former Brothers and lay teachers. Lawrence Todd Stevenson in 2016 (aged 86 at the time) was found guilty and sentenced to 12 months in prison and lifetime sex offender registration after being found guilty of child sex crimes. He was charged with four counts of unlawfully and indecently assaulting boys between 1979 and 1982. Mr Stevenson was a lay teacher at the School who taught woodwork between 1979 and 1981.

Another convicted offender who taught/served at the School was Marist Brother Lawrence Fitzpatrick (who was known as Brother "Majella" Fitzpatrick). On 10 March 2017, he appeared in the Melbourne Magistrates Court, aged 89, charged with 99 sexual offences, allegedly committed against at least 18 children at the school between 1971 and 1976. The charges include 38 counts of buggery (some against children under 14) and other charges of indecent assault.

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.