• By a Broken Rites researcher, article posted 19 May 2019

Christian Brother John Laidlaw has had a lifelong career, teaching in Catholic schools around Australia, especially in Melbourne. Now, in retirement, he has been charged by police with committing sexual offences against some of his Victorian students, earlier in his career.

The matter has been investigated by Victoria Police detectives from the Sano Taskforce (in Spencer Street, Docklands, Melbourne).

The case has already been through preliminary procedures at the Melbourne Magistrates Court, where a magistrate committed Laidlaw for trial at the Melbourne County Court.

The case had a mention at the County Court early in 2019 and the process is scheduled to be completed in mid-2019.

The detectives are continuing their inquiries.

Some background

According to Broken Rites research, Brother John Laidlaw was originally from Adelaide. He has taught at more than a dozen Christian Brothers secondary schools in Perth, Devonport (Tasmania), Adelaide, Warrnambool (Victoria) and Melbourne.

His Melbourne schools included Parade College and CBC St Kilda (this is not a complete list).

As well as teaching the usual subjects, he was also involved in sports coaching and choir work.

After retiring from teaching, Brother John Laidlaw resided in Adelaide, working in a hospital facility assisting  people with disabilities.

Brother John Laidlaw was one of eight Christian Brothers who were honoured at a jubilee celebration in Melbourne because they had spent 50 or 60 years working in the Brothers in Victoria.