Roman Catholic Diocese of Ballarat#Named sexual abusers or notable cases

The Diocese of Ballarat was established on 30 March 1874, from the Diocese of Melbourne. At the same time, the Diocese of Melbourne was made an archdiocese while Ballarat became one of its suffragans.

Bishop Peter Connors retired as Bishop of Ballarat on 1 August 2012 and Father Paul Bird CSsR was appointed by Pope Benedict XVI to succeed him.{{Cite web|url=http://www.translatetheweb.com/?ref=IE8Activity&a=http://press.catholica.va/news_services/bulletin/news/29529.php?index=29529&lang=en|title=Web Translator|website=www.translatetheweb.com|access-date=2020-04-04}} He was ordained bishop on 16 October 2012. Bishop Paul Bird (born 17 July 1949) is a member of the missionary Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer (Redemptorist).{{Cite web|url=http://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/bishop/bbird.html|title=Bishop Paul Bernard Bird [Catholic-Hierarchy]|website=www.catholic-hierarchy.org|access-date=2020-04-04|archive-date=4 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004224638/http://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/bishop/bbird.html|url-status=live}}

The following individuals have been the Roman Catholic Bishop of Ballarat:{{cite web |url=http://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/dball.html |title=Diocese of Ballarat |work=The Hierarchy of the Catholic Church |date=21 May 2011 |access-date=4 October 2011 |archive-date=10 October 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111010182424/http://catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/dball.html |url-status=live }}

:

• Ronald Austin Mulkearns † (1968–1971)

• Joseph Basil Roper, appointed Bishop of Toowoomba in 1938
• George Pell, appointed an auxiliary bishop of Melbourne in 1987; future cardinal
• Brian Vincent Finnigan, appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Brisbane in 2002
• Shane Anthony Mackinlay, appointed Bishop of Sandhurst in 2019

The diocese is bounded by the South Australian border (the Archdiocese of Adelaide and the Diocese of Port Pirie), the Murray River (the Diocese of Wilcannia-Forbes) and the Southern Ocean. To the east is the Diocese of Sandhurst and the Archdiocese of Melbourne. The diocese has 52 parishes, 39 clergy and four parish leaders. The seat of the diocese is St Patrick's Cathedral, Ballarat.

Secondary schools under the governance of the Diocese of Ballarat Catholic Education Limited (DOBCEL) include:{{Cite web|title=School List - DOBCEL - Diocese of Ballarat Catholic Education Limited|date=21 November 2018 |url=https://dobcel.catholic.edu.au/our-schools/school-list/|access-date=2021-07-22|language=en-AU}}

• Mercy Regional College, Camperdown
• Trinity College Colac
• St Brigid's College, Horsham
• Damascus College Ballarat
• St Mary MacKillop College, Swan Hill

{{Main|Catholic sexual abuse scandal in Australia}}

The Diocese of Ballarat has been part of the Catholic sexual abuse scandal, which includes a series of convictions, trials and ongoing investigations into allegations of sex crimes committed by Catholic priests and members of religious orders.{{Cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/vaticancityandholysee/7429933/Child-abuse-scandals-faced-by-Roman-Catholic-Church.html |title=Child abuse scandals faced by Roman Catholic Church |date=12 March 2010 |work=The Daily Telegraph|location=London|access-date=21 September 2011 |archive-date=18 January 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120118022441/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/vaticancityandholysee/7429933/Child-abuse-scandals-faced-by-Roman-Catholic-Church.html |url-status=live }}

In 2012 the Parliament of Victoria established the Inquiry into the Handling of Child Abuse by Religious and other Non-Government Organisations. The Inquiry tabled its report to Parliament on 13 November 2013 and the Government tabled its response to the Inquiry's recommendations on 8 May 2014.{{cite web |url=http://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/fcdc/article/1788 |title=Report and Response |work=Inquiry into the Handling of Child Abuse by Religious and other Non-Government Organisations |publisher=Parliament of Victoria |date=2014 |access-date=21 May 2015 |archive-date=18 March 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150318121142/http://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/fcdc/article/1788 |url-status=live }}

The systemic problem of sexual abuse was highlighted in the Victoria Police submission into the parliamentary inquiry into the handling of child abuse by churches.{{Cite web|url=http://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/images/stories/committees/fcdc/inquiries/57th/Child_Abuse_Inquiry/Submissions/Victoria_Police.pdf|title=Victoria's Police Submission into the parliamentary inquiry into the handling of child abuse by churches|access-date=1 June 2015|archive-date=4 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304004014/http://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/images/stories/committees/fcdc/inquiries/57th/Child_Abuse_Inquiry/Submissions/Victoria_Police.pdf|url-status=live}} "Confidential police reports detail the suicides of at least 40 people sexually abused by Catholic clergy in Victoria and say it appeared the church knew about a shockingly high rate of suicides and premature deaths but had chosen to remain silent".The Age, 11 October 2012, [http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/police-slam-catholic-church-20121010-27dr2.html Police slam Catholic Church] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121113114850/http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/police-slam-catholic-church-20121010-27dr2.html |date=13 November 2012 }}

Cardinal George Pell also confirmed in the Victorian parliamentary inquiry that "some members of the Church tried to cover up child sexual abuse by other members of the clergy" as the ABC states.ABC News, [http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-05-27/cardinal-george-pell-appears-at-sex-abuse-inquiry/4714964 Cardinal George Pell admits Church covered up cases of child sex abuse] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151120210052/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-05-27/cardinal-george-pell-appears-at-sex-abuse-inquiry/4714964 |date=20 November 2015 }}

There have been 130 claims and substantiated complaints of child sexual abuse against the Ballarat diocese since 1980. At least 14 priests of the Diocese of Ballarat have been the subject of one or more claims and substantiated complaints of child sex abuse.{{Cite web|url=https://www.skynews.com.au/news/national/2015/05/29/up-to-14-ballarat-priests-abused-children.html|title=Ballarat Priests Abused Children|website=www.skynews.com.au|access-date=2020-04-04|archive-date=2 August 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150802072613/http://www.skynews.com.au/news/national/2015/05/29/up-to-14-ballarat-priests-abused-children.html|url-status=live}}

In May 2015, the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, a royal commission of inquiry initiated in 2013 by and supported by all state governments,{{cite web|url=http://www.childabuseroyalcommission.gov.au/our-work/terms-of-reference/|title=Letters Patent|work=Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse|access-date=12 January 2013|archive-date=22 August 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130822011715/http://www.childabuseroyalcommission.gov.au/our-work/terms-of-reference/|url-status=live}} began an investigation into the response of relevant Catholic Church authorities to the impact of child sexual abuse on survivors of child sexual abuse, their families and the community of Ballarat.{{cite web |url=http://www.childabuseroyalcommission.gov.au/case-study/860eabc6-e0fc-453a-b9d4-51a89852fede/case-study-28,-may-2015,-ballarat |title=Case Study 28, May 2015, Ballarat |publisher=Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse |date=2015 |access-date=21 May 2015 |archive-date=22 May 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150522011202/http://www.childabuseroyalcommission.gov.au/case-study/860eabc6-e0fc-453a-b9d4-51a89852fede/case-study-28,-may-2015,-ballarat |url-status=live }} The hearing heard about the impact of child sexual abuse on the community of Ballarat from residents and from former students of St Joseph's Home, Ballarat; St Alipius Primary School, Ballarat East; St Alipius Parish, Ballarat East; St Patrick's College, Ballarat; and St Patrick's Christian Brothers Boys Primary School, Ballarat. Catholic clergy who were convicted of child sexual offences which took place within the diocese were also invited to speak or make statements before the commission.{{cite web |url=http://www.childabuseroyalcommission.gov.au/downloadfile.ashx?guid=860eabc6-e0fc-453a-b9d4-51a89852fede&type=witnesslistpdf&filename=case-study-28,-may-2015,-ballarat-witness-list&fileextension=pdf |title=Witness List and Possible Order of Witnesses |work=Catholic Church authorities in Ballarat: Case study 28 |publisher=Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse |date=21 May 2015 |access-date=21 May 2015 |archive-date=25 May 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150525034531/http://www.childabuseroyalcommission.gov.au/downloadfile.ashx?guid=860eabc6-e0fc-453a-b9d4-51a89852fede&type=witnesslistpdf&filename=case-study-28,-may-2015,-ballarat-witness-list&fileextension=pdf |url-status=live }}

During the 2016 Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse in Ballarat it was found that 853 children, average age 13, had been sexually abused by one or more Christian Brothers{{cite web|url=http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/christian-brother-gyrated-against-me-catholic-sexual-abuse-victim-20160222-gn09q7.html|title=Christian Brother 'gyrated' against me: Catholic sexual abuse victim|author=Chris Johnston|date=22 February 2016|access-date=17 March 2016|newspaper=The Age|archive-date=26 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160326220909/http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/christian-brother-gyrated-against-me-catholic-sexual-abuse-victim-20160222-gn09q7.html|url-status=live}} and that at least 30 victims had since committed suicide in Ballarat.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/14/world/australia/australia-sexual-abuse-children.html|title=Australia and Catholic Church 'Failed' Abused Children, Inquiry Finds|last=Williams|first=Jacqueline|newspaper=New York Times|date=2017-12-14|access-date=2017-12-17|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=17 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171217065035/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/14/world/australia/australia-sexual-abuse-children.html|url-status=live}} Child abuse complaints were made against 281 Christian Brothers, and the Congregation had paid A$37.3 million in compensation.{{cite web|url=http://www.skynews.com.au/news/top-stories/2016/02/22/christian-brothers-abused-850-children.html|title=Christian Brothers 'abused 850 children'|date=22 February 2016|access-date=17 March 2016|newspaper=Sky News Australia|archive-date=29 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160329142335/http://www.skynews.com.au/news/top-stories/2016/02/22/christian-brothers-abused-850-children.html|url-status=live}} It was found that every boy at the school at Mortlake between the age of 10 and 16 had been abused by Gerard Ridsdale and one victim held a photo of a class from St Alipius Primary School and stated that 12 of the 33 boys had committed suicide because of the abuse.{{Cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/australiaandthepacific/australia/11615457/Australias-worst-paedophile-priest-molested-every-boy-at-school-in-Victoria.html|title=Australia's worst paedophile priest 'molested every boy' at school in Victoria|last=Pearlman|first=Jonathan|journal=The Daily Telegraph|date=2015-05-19|access-date=2017-12-30|language=en-GB|issn=0307-1235|archive-date=30 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171230172128/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/australiaandthepacific/australia/11615457/Australias-worst-paedophile-priest-molested-every-boy-at-school-in-Victoria.html|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-05-19/child-abuse-inquiry-begins-ballarat-hearings/6479902|title=Priest abused every young boy at regional Victorian school: inquiry|date=2015-05-19|work=ABC News|access-date=2017-12-30|language=en-AU|archive-date=9 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170309034817/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-05-19/child-abuse-inquiry-begins-ballarat-hearings/6479902|url-status=live}}

During the Ballarat Case Study of the royal commission it was found that Glynis McNeight, a private investigator, was paid for by the Christian Brothers through a retained law firm, Doyle Considine solicitors, which pursued victims sexually abused by Brother Edward Dowlan.{{Cite news|url=http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/christian-brothers-hired-private-investigator-to-dig-dirt-on-abuse-victims-20160224-gn2nrm.html|title=Christian Brothers hired private investigator to 'dig dirt' on abuse victims|last=Johnston|first=Chris|date=2016-02-25|work=The Age|access-date=2017-12-16|language=en-US|archive-date=16 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171216205617/http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/christian-brothers-hired-private-investigator-to-dig-dirt-on-abuse-victims-20160224-gn2nrm.html|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-02-24/royal-commission-christian-brother-hired-private-investigator/7196650|title=Christian Brother 'authorised funding for investigator to track abuse victims'|date=2016-02-24|work=ABC News|access-date=2017-12-16|language=en-AU|archive-date=30 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161030011246/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-02-24/royal-commission-christian-brother-hired-private-investigator/7196650|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=http://caroyalcomm.govcms.gov.au/sites/default/files/file-list/case_study_28_-_submission_-_catholic_church_authorities_in_ballarat_-_submissions_of_counsel_assisting.pdf|title=Submissions of Counsel Assisting The Royal Commission|last=Furness|first=Gail|website=Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse|page=116|access-date=21 December 2017|archive-date=22 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171222052148/http://caroyalcomm.govcms.gov.au/sites/default/files/file-list/case_study_28_-_submission_-_catholic_church_authorities_in_ballarat_-_submissions_of_counsel_assisting.pdf|url-status=live}} McNeight's report was tabled{{Cite web|url=https://www.childabuseroyalcommission.gov.au/sites/default/files/CTJH.056.35017.0197_R.pdf|title=Report from Glynis McNeight to Doyle Considine Lawyers re Brother Dowlan|last=Glynis McNeight|first=Glynis|website=Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse|access-date=16 December 2017|archive-date=16 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171216201314/https://www.childabuseroyalcommission.gov.au/sites/default/files/CTJH.056.35017.0197_R.pdf|url-status=live}} which contained strategy to manipulate witnesses, such as a victim could "easily be torn down in the witness box" and "The person himself is a very nervous, excitable type who will reduce to tears and bad language easily".{{Cite news|url=http://www.thecourier.com.au/story/3749683/investigator-tracked-down-dowlan-sex-abuse-victims/|title=Investigator tracked down Dowlan sex abuse victims|last=Cunningham|first=Melissa|date=2016-02-24|work=The Courier|access-date=2017-12-16|language=en|archive-date=16 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171216201400/http://www.thecourier.com.au/story/3749683/investigator-tracked-down-dowlan-sex-abuse-victims/|url-status=live}} The report also documents a Senior Constable, Blair Smith, trying to protect victims from harassment from the investigator and from perversion of the course of justice.{{Cite web|url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/in-depth/ballaratschildren|title=Ballarat's Children {{!}} The Australian|website=www.theaustralian.com.au|language=en|access-date=2017-12-24|archive-date=19 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170319112149/http://www.theaustralian.com.au/in-depth/ballaratschildren|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/images/stories/committees/fcdc/inquiries/57th/Child_Abuse_Inquiry/Transcripts/Peter_Blenkiron__group_28-Feb-13.pdf|title=Inquiry into the handling of child abuse by religious and other organisations Ballarat — 28 February 2013|website=Victorian Parliament|access-date=24 December 2017|archive-date=25 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180325185349/https://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/images/stories/committees/fcdc/inquiries/57th/Child_Abuse_Inquiry/Transcripts/Peter_Blenkiron__group_28-Feb-13.pdf|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=http://www.thecourier.com.au/story/3749683/investigator-tracked-down-dowlan-sex-abuse-victims/|title=Investigator tracked down Dowlan sex abuse victims|last=Cunningham|first=Melissa|date=2016-02-24|work=The Courier|access-date=2017-12-25|language=en|archive-date=16 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171216201400/http://www.thecourier.com.au/story/3749683/investigator-tracked-down-dowlan-sex-abuse-victims/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.brokenrites.org.au/drupal/node/60|title=The church hid the crimes of Brother Ted Dowlan (alias Ted Bales) — but Broken Rites helped to expose this cover-up {{!}} Broken Rites Australia|website=www.brokenrites.org.au|access-date=2017-12-25|archive-date=16 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171216073517/http://www.brokenrites.org.au/drupal/node/60|url-status=live}} Blair Smith was also one of the first detectives to properly investigate a Christian brothers in Victoria, whose work in the early 1990s led to the conviction of Edward Dowlan; he said that the Christian Brothers is "run like a Mafia organisation."{{Cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-12-21/unlocking-long-history-abuse-christian-brothers-ballarat/9273852|title=Violent and sexually 'defective': A long history of abuse at the hands of the Christian Brothers|date=2017-12-21|work=ABC News|access-date=2017-12-24|language=en-AU|archive-date=23 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171223005818/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-12-21/unlocking-long-history-abuse-christian-brothers-ballarat/9273852|url-status=live}} It was also shown that the Christian Brothers knew of abuse from Brothers but did not tell police{{Cite news|url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/in-depth/mistakes-made-over-handling-of-abuse-complaints-christian-brothers-admit/news-story/197674797691c610b286511c0b33013c?sv=d947c2deeb4cf2b4cde7e3a93476eaef|title=Brothers' handling of abuse 'indefensible'|date=2013-05-03|access-date=2017-12-16}} and spent almost $1.5 Million defending paedophile Brother Robert Best, Edward Dowlan and Stephen Farrell.{{Cite news|url=http://www.thecourier.com.au/story/1476123/abuse-inquiry-christian-brothers-paid-1-million-to-defend-best/|title=Abuse inquiry: Christian Brothers paid $1 million to defend Best|last=HENDERSON|first=FIONA|date=2013-05-03|work=The Courier|access-date=2017-12-16|language=en|archive-date=16 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171216201358/http://www.thecourier.com.au/story/1476123/abuse-inquiry-christian-brothers-paid-1-million-to-defend-best/|url-status=live}} It was found that the Christian Brothers' St Alipius School was staffed almost entirely by paedophiles.{{Cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-12-06/royal-commission-report-on-ballarat-archdiocese/9231832|title=Catholic Church's 'failure' in Ballarat led to 'suffering, irreparable harm'|date=2017-12-06|work=ABC News|access-date=2017-12-16|language=en-AU|archive-date=9 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171209035203/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-12-06/royal-commission-report-on-ballarat-archdiocese/9231832|url-status=live}}

The royal commission's final report on Catholic Church authorities in Ballarat was released on 6 December 2017.{{Cite news|url=https://www.childabuseroyalcommission.gov.au/media-releases/report-catholic-church-authorities-ballarat-released|title=Report into Catholic Church authorities in Ballarat released {{!}} Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse|last=Gemma.Choy|date=2017-12-06|work=Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse|access-date=2017-12-16|language=en|archive-date=16 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171216201331/https://www.childabuseroyalcommission.gov.au/media-releases/report-catholic-church-authorities-ballarat-released|url-status=live}} The commission found that Bishop Mulkearns failed to take action: "Bishop Mulkearns again was derelict in his duty in failing to take any effective action to have (paedophile priest) Ridsdale referred to police and to restrict Ridsdale's contact with children".{{Cite news|url=http://www.thecourier.com.au/story/5103641/we-failed-and-we-are-sorry-church-responds-to-scathing-report/?cs=62|title=We failed and we are sorry: church responds to scathing report|last=Wrigley|first=Brendan|date=2017-12-06|work=The Courier|access-date=2017-12-16|language=en|archive-date=16 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171216201425/http://www.thecourier.com.au/story/5103641/we-failed-and-we-are-sorry-church-responds-to-scathing-report/?cs=62|url-status=live}} The commission pointed out the structure of the diocese, culture and governance, concluding: "The most likely explanation for the conduct of Bishop Mulkearns and other senior clergy in the Diocese was that they were trying to minimise the risk of scandal and protect the reputation of the Catholic Church. The Melbourne report found that former Ballarat Diocese Bishop Peter Connors was part of a culture that practiced 'using oblique or euphemistic language in correspondence and records concerning complaints of child sexual abuse'".{{Cite news|url=http://www.thecourier.com.au/story/5102536/royal-commission-slams-former-ballarat-bishop-in-melbourne-report/?cs=62|title=Royal Commission slams former Ballarat Bishop in Melbourne report|last=Wrigley|first=Brendan|date=2017-12-05|work=The Courier|access-date=2017-12-16|language=en|archive-date=16 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171216201452/http://www.thecourier.com.au/story/5102536/royal-commission-slams-former-ballarat-bishop-in-melbourne-report/?cs=62|url-status=live}}

The following are extracts from the conclusion of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse's report into Case Study 28 – Catholic Church authorities in Ballarat:

This case study exposed a catastrophic failure in the leadership of the Diocese and ultimately in the structure and culture of the Church over decades to effectively respond to the sexual abuse of children by its priests. That failure led to the suffering and often irreparable harm to children, their families and the wider community. That harm could have been avoided if the Church had acted in the interests of children rather than in its own interests.

Euphemistic and elliptical language was often used in correspondence and minutes to mask the true nature of the conduct discussed. There was repeated reference to 'pressures', 'strains' and unspecified 'problems'. On occasions, records were deliberately not made or kept or were destroyed.

The result of these inexcusable failures was that more children were sexually abused by Catholic clergy in the Diocese. There was a catastrophic institutional failure which resulted in many children being sexually abused. We heard about the devastating, often lifelong, consequences in the lives of those children. The welfare of children was not the primary concern of Bishop Mulkearns and other senior members of the Diocese when responding to complaints and allegation of child sexual abuse against their priests. There is no doubt it should have been.

Newspapers don't report suicides, so the public doesn't hear about the broken families and their shattered lives, about the unseen impact of institutional child sexual abuse. Children are left behind and they don't understand why. It doesn't end when the abuse ends.{{Cite web|url=https://www.childabuseroyalcommission.gov.au/sites/default/files/case_study_28_-_findings_report_-_catholic_church_authorities_in_ballarat_catholic_church_authorities_in_ballarat2.pdf|title=Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse: Catholic Church authorities in Ballarat - Report of Case Study No. 28|website=Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse|pages=433–436|access-date=18 December 2017|archive-date=22 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171222051935/https://www.childabuseroyalcommission.gov.au/sites/default/files/case_study_28_-_findings_report_-_catholic_church_authorities_in_ballarat_catholic_church_authorities_in_ballarat2.pdf|url-status=live}}

Such chronic sexual abuse in the Ballarat community has led to a large number of men who are not able to be productive members of society and in effect have become either emotional, social or financial burdens upon the community.

File:Ribbons in iron fence of St Patrick's Cathedral Ballarat.jpg

A community response during the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse was "Loud Fence", which was started by St Patrick's College school principal John Crowley who urged the public to tie ribbons to the school fence before the royal commission hearing commenced. He credits the idea and name to an unnamed local survivor, with another survivor coming up with the term "No more silence"{{Citation needed|date=November 2018}} in February 2014.{{Cite news|url=https://www.thecourier.com.au/story/2115577/sexual-abuse-royal-commission-officials-in-ballarat/|title=Sexual Abuse Royal Commission officials in Ballarat|last=COWIE|first=TOM|date=2014-02-26|work=The Courier|access-date=2018-11-03|language=en|archive-date=3 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181103210151/https://www.thecourier.com.au/story/2115577/sexual-abuse-royal-commission-officials-in-ballarat/|url-status=live}} John was the person who tied the first ribbon.{{Cite web|url=http://www.stpats.vic.edu.au/en/news/article/support-for-victims-and-survivors/|title=St Patrick's College {{!}}|website=www.stpats.vic.edu.au|language=en|access-date=2018-11-03|archive-date=3 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181103170526/http://www.stpats.vic.edu.au/en/news/article/support-for-victims-and-survivors/|url-status=live}} By the day of the first hearing, ribbons had been tied to not only the school fence, but also to the fence of St Alipius Primary School, St Patrick's Cathedral, the entrances to Ballarat East, as well as outside the Ballarat Courts. Survivors at the hearing wore a ribbon pinned to their lapels. After the hearings had started, ribbons were taken down from St Alipius and some members of the community tied them back. One of those, Maureen Hatcher, then started a Facebook page called "Loud Fence" which is still in operation.{{Cite news|url=https://www.thecourier.com.au/story/4688582/loud-fence-end-of-an-era-for-symbol-of-popular-support/?cs=62|title=Loud Fence: end of an era for symbol of popular support|date=2017-05-27|work=The Courier|access-date=2018-11-05|language=en|archive-date=5 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181105202629/https://www.thecourier.com.au/story/4688582/loud-fence-end-of-an-era-for-symbol-of-popular-support/?cs=62|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=http://www.thecourier.com.au/story/3475307/loud-fence-march-voice-for-victims/|title=Loud Fence march voice for victims|last=Cunningham|first=Melissa|date=2015-11-07|work=The Courier|access-date=2017-12-17|language=en|archive-date=23 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171223042824/http://www.thecourier.com.au/story/3475307/loud-fence-march-voice-for-victims/|url-status=live}} Places that had a history of sexual abuse were marked with ribbons as a sign of support for the victims. The Loud Fence movement also spread internationally, with survivors taking it to Rome{{Cite news|url=https://www.sbs.com.au/news/abuse-survivors-tie-ribbons-in-rome|title=Abuse survivors tie ribbons in Rome|work=SBS News|access-date=2018-11-03|language=en-GB|archive-date=3 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181103131229/https://www.sbs.com.au/news/abuse-survivors-tie-ribbons-in-rome|url-status=live}} and even speaking about it at a university in Rome.{{Cite news|url=http://melbournecatholic.org.au/Archive/News/member-of-pontifical-commission-for-protection-of-minors-meets-with-aussie-survivors|title=Member of Pontifical Commission for Protection of Minors Meets With Aussie Survivors|language=en|date=7 March 2016|access-date=3 November 2018|archive-date=3 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181103131303/http://melbournecatholic.org.au/Archive/News/member-of-pontifical-commission-for-protection-of-minors-meets-with-aussie-survivors|url-status=live}} There was also a Loud Fence march in Ballarat.{{Cite news|url=http://www.thecourier.com.au/story/4676078/fearless-loud-fence-marches-against-abuse-photos/|title=Fearless: Loud Fence marches against abuse {{!}} Photos|last=Venosta|first=Jeremy|date=2017-05-21|work=The Courier|access-date=2017-12-17|language=en|archive-date=23 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171223042718/http://www.thecourier.com.au/story/4676078/fearless-loud-fence-marches-against-abuse-photos/|url-status=live}} The diocese removed the ribbons three days after the Royal Commission in to Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse published its final recommendations.{{Cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-12-17/loud-fence-ribbons-removed-from-ballarat-cathedral/9266784|title='Poor timing': Ribbons for sex abuse victims cut down by Catholic parishioners|date=2017-12-17|work=ABC News|access-date=2017-12-17|language=en-AU|archive-date=17 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171217111138/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-12-17/loud-fence-ribbons-removed-from-ballarat-cathedral/9266784|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=http://www.thecourier.com.au/story/5126333/survivors-vow-to-replace-loud-fence-ribbons-removed-from-st-patricks-cathedral/|title=Survivors vow to replace Loud Fence ribbons removed from St Patrick's Cathedral|last=Smith|first=Michelle|date=2017-12-17|work=The Courier|access-date=2017-12-17|language=en|archive-date=20 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171220161932/http://www.thecourier.com.au/story/5126333/survivors-vow-to-replace-loud-fence-ribbons-removed-from-st-patricks-cathedral/|url-status=live}}

On 13 September 2019, the Diocese of Ballarat released a statement admitting that the high-ranking clergy in the diocese knew of sex abuse claims against Ridsdale and afterwards made efforts to shield him from prosecution.{{Cite web|date=2019-09-13|title=New admission by diocese could cost Australian Church millions in claims|url=https://cruxnow.com/church-in-oceania/2019/09/new-admission-by-diocese-could-cost-australian-church-millions-in-claims/|access-date=2020-04-04|website=Crux|language=en-CA|archive-date=31 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191231110002/https://cruxnow.com/church-in-oceania/2019/09/new-admission-by-diocese-could-cost-australian-church-millions-in-claims/|url-status=live}} This confession came in the wake of a civil lawsuit filed against the diocese by one of Ridsdale's victims. In May 2020, it was revealed that the royal commission rejected Pell's defense that he was deceived when he was involved in a college of consultors decision to move Ridsdale from the Mortlake parish in Ballarat to Sydney in 1982 as "implausible" and that there were "at least complaints of sexual abuse of children having been made".{{Cite news|last=Davey|first=Melissa|date=7 May 2020|title=George Pell: cardinal was aware of children being sexually abused, royal commission report finds|newspaper=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/may/07/george-pell-cardinal-was-aware-of-children-being-sexually-abused-royal-commission-report-reveals|via=www.theguardian.com|access-date=7 May 2020|archive-date=7 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200507162908/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/may/07/george-pell-cardinal-was-aware-of-children-being-sexually-abused-royal-commission-report-reveals|url-status=live}}

Notable sexual abuse cases include:

• Cardinal George Pell was charged with historical sexual assault offences which dated back to his time at Ballarat in the 1970s.{{Cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-06-29/cardinal-george-pell-charged-sexual-assault-offences/8547668|title=George Pell told to face court on historical sexual assault charges|date=2017-06-29|work=ABC News|access-date=2017-12-17|language=en-AU}} Pell pleaded not guilty{{Cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-07-26/pell-faces-melbourne-court-over-sexual-offence-charges/8741502|title=Pell faces Melbourne court for sexual offences hearing, will plead not guilty|date=2017-07-26|work=ABC News|access-date=2017-12-17|language=en-AU|archive-date=4 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171204084038/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-07-26/pell-faces-melbourne-court-over-sexual-offence-charges/8741502|url-status=live}} and the court set a date for his committal hearing to commence on 5 March 2018 which was expected to last four weeks.{{Cite news|url=https://www.sbs.com.au/news/four-week-court-hearing-for-cardinal-pell|title=Four-week court hearing for Cardinal Pell|work=SBS News|access-date=2017-12-17|language=en-GB|archive-date=22 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171222105139/https://www.sbs.com.au/news/four-week-court-hearing-for-cardinal-pell|url-status=live}} The cardinal, then considered to be the third most senior official in the Vatican,{{cite news|url=http://www.smh.com.au/national/cardinal-george-pell-set-to-be-charged-with-serious-sex-offences-20170628-gx0v8y.html|title=Cardinal George Pell charged with historical sex offences|author1=Nino Bucci|date=30 June 2017|work=The Sydney Morning|access-date=27 July 2017|author2=Tom Cowie|author3=Nick Miller|archive-date=25 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170725061329/http://www.smh.com.au/national/cardinal-george-pell-set-to-be-charged-with-serious-sex-offences-20170628-gx0v8y.html|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2017/jun/29/cardinal-george-pell-charged-with-multiple-sexual-offences|title=Cardinal George Pell: Vatican official charged with multiple sexual offences|author1=Melissa Davey|date=29 June 2017|work=The Guardian|access-date=27 July 2017|author2=Stephanie Kirchgaessner|archive-date=26 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170726035427/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2017/jun/29/cardinal-george-pell-charged-with-multiple-sexual-offences|url-status=live}} was the most senior Catholic cleric in the world to face such charges.{{cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-06-30/george-pell-how-italian-media-reacted-to-sex-assault-charges/8666944|title=George Pell: How Italian media reacted to the historical sexual offence charges|date=30 June 2017|work=ABC News|access-date=30 June 2017}}{{cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-06-29/cardinal-george-pell-charged-sexual-assault-offences/8547668|title=George Pell, Catholic cardinal, charged with historical sexual assault offences|date=29 June 2017|work=ABC News|access-date=29 June 2017}} After Pell's appeal to overturn sexual assault convictions stemming from when he was archbishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne was dismissed by the Supreme Court of Victoria, Ballarat's Bishop Paul Bird acknowledged Pell's ties to the Diocese of Ballarat and apologised.{{Cite web|url=https://www.9news.com.au/national/george-pell-appeal-live-updates-supreme-court-of-victoria-verdict/a0e989c6-0b42-455d-8ea7-c6bb8bd9401f|title=George Pell loses appeal|website=www.9news.com.au|access-date=2020-04-04|archive-date=21 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190821160839/https://www.9news.com.au/national/george-pell-appeal-live-updates-supreme-court-of-victoria-verdict/a0e989c6-0b42-455d-8ea7-c6bb8bd9401f|url-status=live}} Two new sex abuse accusations against Pell, which stemmed from his time serving a Diocese of Ballarat-run orphanage in the 1970s, surfaced in 2020 as well in the television documentary series Revelation. These allegations later resulted in a new sex abuse investigation against Pell which started on 13 April 2020.{{Cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2020/04/13/australian-police-investigating-new-child-abuse-allegations/|title=Australian police investigating new child abuse allegations against Cardinal George Pell|first=Giovanni|last=Torre|newspaper=The Telegraph |date=13 April 2020|via=www.telegraph.co.uk|access-date=13 April 2020|archive-date=14 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200414080526/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2020/04/13/australian-police-investigating-new-child-abuse-allegations/|url-status=live}}
• Gerald Ridsdale, who pleaded guilty to indecently assaulting a total of 53 children by 2006{{cite news |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2006/08/07/1708350.htm |title=Former priest pleads guilty to child abuse |work=ABC News |location=Australia |date=2 August 2006 |access-date=18 September 2011 |archive-date=17 February 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110217022112/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2006/08/07/1708350.htm |url-status=dead }}; J. Franklin, [http://www.maths.unsw.edu.au/~jim/franklinridsdale.pdf Gerald Ridsdale, pedophile priest, in his own words], Journal of the Australian Catholic Historical Society 36 (2105), 219-230. and faced further charges of sexually abusing another 12 children, being found guilty on both cases and committed to a total of 33 years in prison.{{Cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-08-31/paedophile-priest-gerald-ridsdale-sentenced-over-new-offences/8858576|title=Paedophile priest Gerald Ridsdale gets more jail time for abusing 12 kids|date=2017-08-31|work=ABC News|access-date=2017-12-22|language=en-AU|archive-date=22 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171222203213/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-08-31/paedophile-priest-gerald-ridsdale-sentenced-over-new-offences/8858576|url-status=live}}[http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/law-order/victorian-man-gerald-francis-ridsdale-charged-with-72-sex-offences-dating-back-to-1961/story-fni0fee2-1226667789277 Herald Sun, 21 June 2013, "Victorian man Gerald Francis Ridsdale charged with 72 sex offences dating back to 1961"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130624160509/http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/law-order/victorian-man-gerald-francis-ridsdale-charged-with-72-sex-offences-dating-back-to-1961/story-fni0fee2-1226667789277 |date=24 June 2013 }}. Ridsdale's nephew, David Ridsdale, gave evidence before the commission that his uncle had sexually abused him from the age of 11 to 15.{{cite news |url=http://www.abc.net.au/pm/content/2015/s4239287.htm |title=Royal Commission hears Cardinal Pell offered victim bribe to keep clerical sex abuse quiet |work=PM |publisher=ABC Local Radio |date=20 May 2015 |access-date=21 May 2015 |author=Donovan, Samantha |archive-date=25 May 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150525034927/http://www.abc.net.au/pm/content/2015/s4239287.htm |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/royal-commission-told-cardinal-george-pell-tried-to-buy-victims-silence-about-abuse-20150520-gh5r7t?skin=dumb-phone |title=Royal commission told Cardinal George Pell tried to buy victim's silence about abuse |work=The Age |date=20 May 2015 |access-date=21 May 2015 |author=Lee, Jane |archive-date=20 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160120045010/http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/royal-commission-told-cardinal-george-pell-tried-to-buy-victims-silence-about-abuse-20150520-gh5r7t?skin=dumb-phone |url-status=live }} It was later revealed in May 2020 that Pell assisted in transferring Ridsdale to Sydney in 1982. The same month, Ridsdale had his non-parole period extended from 2022 to 2024.{{Cite web|url=https://www.smh.com.au/national/pell-pushes-back-on-royal-commission-report-20200507-p54qwz.html|title=Pell pushes back on royal commission report|first=Chip Le Grand, Adam|last=Cooper|date=7 May 2020|website=The Sydney Morning Herald|access-date=14 May 2020|archive-date=15 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200515005153/https://www.smh.com.au/national/pell-pushes-back-on-royal-commission-report-20200507-p54qwz.html|url-status=live}}
• Robert Charles Best, a Christian Brother, was sentenced in the Victorian County Court for 27 offences involving the sexual abuse of 11 boys.{{cite news |url=http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/damage-and-misery-14-years-jail-for-christian-brother-20110808-1iibn.html |work=The Age |location=Australia |last=Lowe |first=Adrian |date=8 August 2011 |access-date=18 September 2011 |title=Damage and misery: 14 years' jail for Christian Brother |archive-date=7 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121107054859/http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/damage-and-misery-14-years-jail-for-christian-brother-20110808-1iibn.html |url-status=live }}{{cite news |first=Joe |last=Cresswell |title=Pedophile Christian Brother Robert Best's appeal an insult-victims |work=The Australian |date=20 September 2011 |access-date=24 September 2011 |url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/breaking-news/pedophile-christian-brother-robert-bests-appeal-an-insult-victims/story-fn3dxity-1226142054531 }}
• Stephen Frances Farrell, a Christian Brother, sentenced in 2013 for indecently assaulting a boy while teaching at St Alipius School in Ballarat in the mid-1970s. This conviction followed a 1997 conviction on nine charges of indecently assaulting two brothers at St Alipius around the same period.{{Cite web|url=https://www.sbs.com.au/news/former-vic-christian-brother-granted-bail|title=Former Vic Christian brother granted bail|website=SBS News|language=en|access-date=2020-04-04|archive-date=15 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180815091507/https://www.sbs.com.au/news/former-vic-christian-brother-granted-bail|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=http://www.smh.com.au/national/the-priests-and-brothers-who-preyed-on-children-20160301-gn72tw.html|title=The priests and brothers who preyed on children|last1=Donelly|first1=Beau|date=2016-03-01|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|access-date=2017-12-29|last2=Lee|first2=Jane|language=en-US|archive-date=20 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180220060326/http://www.smh.com.au/national/the-priests-and-brothers-who-preyed-on-children-20160301-gn72tw.html|url-status=live}}
• Paul David Ryan, jailed in 2006 for 18 months after admitting three charges of indecent assault against one victim between 1990 and 1991.{{Cite web|url=http://www.eurekaencyclopedia.com/index.php/Category:Diocese_of_Ballarat|title=Category:Diocese of Ballarat - Eurêka|website=www.eurekaencyclopedia.com|language=en|access-date=2017-12-18|archive-date=31 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171231155416/http://www.eurekaencyclopedia.com/index.php/Category:Diocese_of_Ballarat|url-status=live}}
• Edward Dowlan (Ted Bales) pleaded guilty to 33 counts of indecently assaulting boys under the age of 16 and one count of gross indecency between 1971 and 1986.{{Cite news|url=http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/former-christian-brother-jailed-for-abusing-20-boys-at-six-schools-over-14-years-20150327-1m91e2.html|title=Former Christian Brother jailed for abusing 20 boys at six schools over 14 years|last=Russell|first=Mark|date=2015-03-27|work=The Age|access-date=2017-12-17|language=en-US|archive-date=15 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171215040943/http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/former-christian-brother-jailed-for-abusing-20-boys-at-six-schools-over-14-years-20150327-1m91e2.html|url-status=live}} The judge found that he had preyed on vulnerable boys as young as eight years old over a 14-year period at six different schools from the first year he became a Christian Brother in 1971. Dowlan has been jailed twice, first in 1996 for six-and-a-half years and then again in 2015.{{Cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-09-18/paedophile-christian-brother-jail-term-increased-on-appeal/6786216|title=Paedophile Christian Brother's 'inadequate' jail term increased after appeal|date=2015-09-18|work=ABC News|access-date=2017-12-17|language=en-AU|archive-date=7 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161207062117/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-09-18/paedophile-christian-brother-jail-term-increased-on-appeal/6786216|url-status=live}}
• Peter Toomey, a Christian Brother who admitted to sexually assaulting 10 students at a Catholic high school in Melbourne in the 1970s.{{Cite web|url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/christian-brother-admits-to-10-sex-assaults-on-students/2005/11/23/1132703253037.html|title=Christian brother admits to 10 sex assaults on students - National|website=www.theage.com.au|date=24 November 2005 |language=en|access-date=2017-12-17|archive-date=22 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171222052842/http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/christian-brother-admits-to-10-sex-assaults-on-students/2005/11/23/1132703253037.html|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=http://catholictalk.com.au/walking-the-talk/blog/item/511-rc-ballarat-day-three|title=Catholic Talk - Royal Commission in Ballarat: Day Three|access-date=2017-12-17|language=en-gb|archive-date=22 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171222054013/http://catholictalk.com.au/walking-the-talk/blog/item/511-rc-ballarat-day-three|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.childabuseroyalcommission.gov.au/media-releases/report-catholic-church-authorities-ballarat-released|title=Report into Catholic Church authorities in Ballarat released {{!}} Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse|last=Gemma.Choy|date=2017-12-06|work=Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse|access-date=2017-12-17|language=en|archive-date=16 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171216201331/https://www.childabuseroyalcommission.gov.au/media-releases/report-catholic-church-authorities-ballarat-released|url-status=live}}
• Sydney Morey.{{Cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-05-30/catholic-church-reveals-list-of-priests-guilty-of-sex-abuse/4723660|title=Catholic Church reveals names of 29 priests it acknowledges are guilty of child sex abuse - ABC News|date=30 May 2013|website=www.abc.net.au|access-date=12 May 2020|archive-date=11 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111231712/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-05-30/catholic-church-reveals-list-of-priests-guilty-of-sex-abuse/4723660|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.brokenrites.org.au/drupal/node/89|title=An abusive priest, Syd Morey, flourished in western Victoria {{!}} Broken Rites Australia|website=www.brokenrites.org.au|access-date=2017-12-18|archive-date=31 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171231103710/http://www.brokenrites.org.au/drupal/node/89|url-status=live}}
• Terrence Pidoto was sentenced to seven years and three months, being found guilty of 11 charges including rape and indecently assaulting a child under 16.{{Cite news|url=http://www.news.com.au/news/pedophile-priest-terrence-melville-pidoto-refused-appeal-request/news-story/a505051844dfadbda7aa5715ed958d9d?sv=6092c630a060b37eed1e8bf8fecb94e5|title=No appeal for pedo priest|work=NewsComAu|access-date=2017-12-18}} He died before facing a second trial with new charges only a year into his first sentence.{{Cite web|url=http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/victorian-paedophile-priest-terrence-pidoto-dies-before-facing-new-charges/news-story/96a81f36be9ee5936448798fb88aaac9|title=Victorian paedophile priest Terrence Pidoto dies before facing new charges|website=The Courier Mail.}}
• Bryan Desmond Coffey, a priest, pleaded not guilty to charges in February 1999. He was found guilty of 12 counts of indecent assault involving eight boys and one count involving a girl, aged between six and 11 years. He was given a three-year suspended jail sentence.{{Cite web|url=http://brokenrites.org.au/drupal/node/22|title=This priest was committing indecent acts against children from Day One, a court is told|website=brokenrites.org.au|language=en|access-date=2020-04-04|archive-date=3 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151003041631/http://brokenrites.org.au/drupal/node/22|url-status=live}} In 2021 Justice Forrest made a significant ruling regarding one victim of Coffey ruling that, "I can see no reason why the diocese should not be vicariously liable for such an award given that is relates directly to Coffey's conduct and is compensatory in nature."
• Leslie Sheahan, a parish priest, pleaded guilty in September 2015 to unlawful/indecent assault of a girl.{{Cite web|url=https://www.thecourier.com.au/story/2858198/former-ballarat-priest-indecently-assaulted-girl-9/|title=Former Ballarat priest indecently assaulted girl, 9|last=Vallely|first=William|date=2015-02-03|website=The Courier|language=en|access-date=2020-04-04|archive-date=22 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171222051051/http://www.thecourier.com.au/story/2858198/former-ballarat-priest-indecently-assaulted-girl-9/|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=http://www.thecourier.com.au/story/3249065/six-month-jail-term-for-former-ballarat-priest/|title=Six-month jail term for former Ballarat priest|last=Thomas|first=Alicia|date=2015-07-31|work=The Courier|access-date=2017-12-18|language=en|archive-date=22 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171222104850/http://www.thecourier.com.au/story/3249065/six-month-jail-term-for-former-ballarat-priest/|url-status=live}}
• Robert Patrick Claffey, a priest, pleaded guilty in 1998 to indecent assault of two boys aged 12 and 13 after their sister died in a road accident in 1978.{{Cite web|url=http://brokenrites.org.au/drupal/node/20|title=This priest assaulted two boys after their sister died in a road accident|website=brokenrites.org.au|language=en|access-date=2020-04-04|archive-date=21 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150721092749/http://brokenrites.org.au/drupal/node/20|url-status=live}} In 2014, he was also charged with 16 counts of indecent assault and one count of buggery against about seven child victims between 1970 and 1992.{{Cite news |url=http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/former-disability-adviser-charged-with-indecent-assault-20141125-11te5z.html |title=Former disability adviser charged with indecent assault |date=2014-11-25 |work=The Age |access-date=1 June 2015 |archive-date=16 June 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150616144825/http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/former-disability-adviser-charged-with-indecent-assault-20141125-11te5z.html |url-status=live }} In October, 2016, he pleaded guilty to the offences and was jailed for 18 years.{{Cite web|url=https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/paedophile-priest-robert-claffey-jailed-for-18-years-20161004-grunlp.html|title=Paedophile priest Robert Claffey jailed for 18 years|date=2016-10-04|website=The Age|language=en|access-date=2020-04-04|archive-date=25 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210125071016/http://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/paedophile-priest-robert-claffey-jailed-for-18-years-20161004-grunlp.html|url-status=live}} On 8 May 2020, it was revealed that Claffey was still serving a prison term for the sexual abuse of 14 children between 1969 and 1992, and that at least one of his victims, Joseph Barrett had filed a lawsuit against the Diocese of Ballarat.
• John Day has been described as Australia's most prolific paedophile with more than 100 complaints about the monsignor to the church's Towards Healing program, set up to deal with allegations of abuse by the clergy. He targeted both boys and girls. The police found that he had "misconducted himself" but did not charge him, and the police officer Denis Ryan, who collected statements of abuse, lost his job.{{Cite news|url=http://www.smh.com.au/national/they-destroyed-denis-ryans-police-career-now-they-admit-he-was-right-all-along-20160811-gqq1x2.html|title=They destroyed Denis Ryan's police career. Now they admit he was right all along|last=Silvester|first=John|date=2016-08-12|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|access-date=2017-12-18|language=en-US|archive-date=18 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171218091303/http://www.smh.com.au/national/they-destroyed-denis-ryans-police-career-now-they-admit-he-was-right-all-along-20160811-gqq1x2.html|url-status=live}} The police were involved in a cover up which have been described as the "Catholic Mafia".{{Cite news|url=http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/catholic-cops-involved-in-coverup-of-child-abuse-by-priests-20150603-ghfwdt.html|title=Catholic cops involved in cover-up of child abuse by priests|last=Silvester|first=John|date=2015-06-06|work=The Age|access-date=2017-12-18|language=en-US|archive-date=31 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171231072213/http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/catholic-cops-involved-in-coverup-of-child-abuse-by-priests-20150603-ghfwdt.html|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/in-depth/ballarats-children/ballarats-children-cops-shielded-catholic-monster/news-story/6e9384725eb95789f74ae9907b2da2d4|title=Ballarat's children: cops shielded Catholic monster|website=The Australian}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/in-depth/detective-failed-to-tell-superiors-of-his-investigations-into-catholic-child-sex-abuse/news-story/3df1aabc8b187507963141f6bb44452d?sv=6b162735d9dc254626b19db18958f631|title='Catholic mafia' hindered priest probe, special commission of inquiry into child sex abuse hears|website=The Australian}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.childabuseroyalcommission.gov.au/sites/default/files/case_study_28_-_findings_report_-_catholic_church_authorities_in_ballarat_catholic_church_authorities_in_ballarat2.pdf|title=Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse: Catholic Church authorities in Ballarat - Report of Case Study No. 28|website=Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse|pages=43|access-date=18 December 2017|archive-date=22 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171222051935/https://www.childabuseroyalcommission.gov.au/sites/default/files/case_study_28_-_findings_report_-_catholic_church_authorities_in_ballarat_catholic_church_authorities_in_ballarat2.pdf|url-status=live}} The Day case was detailed by Casefile True Crime Podcast - Case 34: The Catholic Mafia, aired on 24 September 2016.{{Cite news|url=http://casefilepodcast.com/case-34-catholic-mafia/|title=Case 34: The Catholic Mafia - Casefile: True Crime Podcast|date=2016-09-25|work=Casefile: True Crime Podcast|access-date=2018-03-19|language=en-US|archive-date=19 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180319213547/http://casefilepodcast.com/case-34-catholic-mafia/|url-status=live}}
• Leonard Monk.{{Cite web|url=http://www.brokenrites.org.au/drupal/node/257|title=The church protected Fr Len Monk while he committed sexual crimes against boys {{!}} Broken Rites Australia|website=www.brokenrites.org.au|access-date=2017-12-18|archive-date=31 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171231103904/http://www.brokenrites.org.au/drupal/node/257|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.artemislegal.com.au/list-of-priests/|title=List of Priests|website=Artemis Legal|language=en-US|access-date=2017-12-30|archive-date=31 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171231104115/http://www.artemislegal.com.au/list-of-priests/|url-status=live}}
• Peter Colley. Father Peter James Colley pleaded guilty in 1993 to two charges—one indecent assault of an adult male in a public toilet at Moonee Ponds and one charge of escaping from legal custody.{{Cite web|url=http://www.icyte.com/system/snapshots/fs1/5/7/c/b/57cb850e6f1bfc1a2f69f3230a2cb06ef2735098/index.html|title=Sex-abuse in the Catholic Church in Australia|website=www.icyte.com|access-date=2017-12-18|archive-date=27 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201127230215/https://www.icyte.com/system/snapshots/fs1/5/7/c/b/57cb850e6f1bfc1a2f69f3230a2cb06ef2735098/index.html|url-status=live}}
• Gerald Leo Fitzgerald, a Christian Brother. The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse found that Fitzgerald was moved to new locations with continued access to children after allegations had been made.{{Cite news|url=http://www.thecourier.com.au/story/5103641/we-failed-and-we-are-sorry-church-responds-to-scathing-report/?cs=62|title=We failed and we are sorry: church responds to scathing report|last=Wrigley|first=Brendan|date=2017-12-06|work=The Courier|access-date=2017-12-20|language=en|archive-date=16 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171216201425/http://www.thecourier.com.au/story/5103641/we-failed-and-we-are-sorry-church-responds-to-scathing-report/?cs=62|url-status=live}} One victim described the type of behaviour of Fitzgerald to the commission: "Brother Fitzgerald was his grade 3 teacher in 1974. He said that at the end of school every Friday Brother Fitzgerald would line up his students and kiss them goodbye. He kissed some with his tongue." He died in 1987 before any charges were laid against him.
• Fr Dan Hourigan.{{Cite web|url=http://www.christianorder.com/features/features_1996/features_june-july96_4.html|title=The Catholic Response to Clerical Corruption|last=JOUGHIN|first=MARGARET|date=1996|website=www.christianorder.com|access-date=2017-12-30|archive-date=31 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171231103737/http://www.christianorder.com/features/features_1996/features_june-july96_4.html|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.brokenrites.org.au/drupal/node/235|title=Black Collar Crime {{!}} Broken Rites Australia|website=www.brokenrites.org.au|access-date=2017-12-30|archive-date=24 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210224205949/http://www.brokenrites.org.au/drupal/node/235|url-status=live}}
• Brother Kenneth Paul McGlade.
• Brother John Laidlaw, pleaded guilty to assaults on six boys, aged 12 to 17, between 1963 and 1984.{{Cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-07-18/christian-brother-john-laidlaw-sentenced-to-jail/11320152|title=Christian Brother who sexually assaulted six boys jailed|last=Morgan|first=Danny|date=2019-07-18|website=ABC News|language=en-AU|access-date=2019-09-24|archive-date=21 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190821130012/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-07-18/christian-brother-john-laidlaw-sentenced-to-jail/11320152|url-status=live}}

In 2017, Pell, who served in the Roman Curia, returned to Australia from the Vatican to face sex abuse charges stemming from his time in both the Archdiocese of Melbourne and the Diocese of Ballarat. The three episode documentary program Revelation, which aired on ABC TV in March 2020,{{Cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/radio/programs/abc-news-specials/episode-3/12114314|title=Revelation|date=2020-04-02|website=ABC Radio|language=en|access-date=2020-04-04|archive-date=7 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210307214634/https://www.abc.net.au/radio/programs/abc-news-specials/episode-3/12114314|url-status=live}} revealed two men, identified as Bernie and Peter Clarke, who accused Pell of sexually abusing them as boys when he served the Diocese of Ballarat. The alleged sexual abuse occurred when Pell spent time at the Catholic orphanage where they resided in the 1970s.{{Cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-04-02/george-pell-ballarat-allegations-revelation/12109952|title=Two new accusers say George Pell abused them when they were boys|last=Ferguson|first=Sarah|date=2020-04-02|website=ABC News|language=en-AU|access-date=2020-04-04|archive-date=2 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200402211356/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-04-02/george-pell-ballarat-allegations-revelation/12109952|url-status=live}}{{Cite web |url=https://cruxnow.com/vatican/2020/04/vatican-welcomes-pell-verdict-affirms-anti-abuse-resolve-as-survivors-protest/ |title=Vatican welcomes Pell verdict, affirms anti-abuse resolve as survivors protest |access-date=7 April 2020 |archive-date=7 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200407161923/https://cruxnow.com/vatican/2020/04/vatican-welcomes-pell-verdict-affirms-anti-abuse-resolve-as-survivors-protest/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web|url=http://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/mar/04/george-pell-to-be-sued-over-alleged-1970s-sexual-abuse-in-ballarat|title=George Pell to be sued over alleged 1970s sexual abuse in Ballarat|date=3 March 2019|website=the Guardian|access-date=12 May 2020|archive-date=10 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200510124847/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/mar/04/george-pell-to-be-sued-over-alleged-1970s-sexual-abuse-in-ballarat|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/06/world/australia/cardinal-george-pell-conviction.html|title=George Pell Freed After Australian Court Overturns Sex Abuse Conviction|first1=Livia|last1=Albeck-Ripka|first2=Damien|last2=Cave|work=The New York Times |date=6 April 2020|via=NYTimes.com|access-date=7 April 2020|archive-date=7 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200407142036/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/06/world/australia/cardinal-george-pell-conviction.html|url-status=live}} The ABC also defended the accuracy of Revelation after Pell's Melbourne conviction was overturned and temporarily removed reruns of the third episode so it could be updated and eventually restored;{{Cite web|url=http://www.theguardian.com/media/2020/apr/09/abc-to-re-edit-and-restore-george-pell-episode-of-revelation-as-news-corp-goes-on-attack|title=ABC to re-edit and restore George Pell episode of Revelation as News Corp goes on attack|date=8 April 2020|website=the Guardian|access-date=12 May 2020|archive-date=8 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200508014944/https://www.theguardian.com/media/2020/apr/09/abc-to-re-edit-and-restore-george-pell-episode-of-revelation-as-news-corp-goes-on-attack|url-status=live}} all three episodes also remain available on ABC Radio's website.{{Cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/radio/programs/abc-news-specials/episode-3/12114314|title=Revelation|date=2 April 2020|website=ABC Radio|access-date=2 April 2020|archive-date=7 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210307214634/https://www.abc.net.au/radio/programs/abc-news-specials/episode-3/12114314|url-status=live}} On 11 April 2020, Pell stated in an interview with Sky News journalist Andrew Bolt, which aired on Sky News Australia on 14 April 2020, that he was "ashamed" of the way the Catholic Church handled sex abuse cases and that failures to act on the abuse, which he described as "cancer", still haunted him.{{Cite web|url=https://www.skynews.com.au/details/_6148718483001|title=WORLD EXCLUSIVE: Cardinal Pell reveals Catholic Church shame in wake of child sex 'cancer'|website=Sky News Australia|date=11 April 2020 |access-date=11 April 2020|archive-date=11 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200411155454/https://www.skynews.com.au/details/_6148718483001|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://thewest.com.au/news/religion-and-belief/explosive-comments-cardinal-george-pell-says-paedophilia-a-cancer-within-catholic-church-he-is-ashamed-of-how-it-dealt-with-sex-abuse-ng-b881516798z|title=Pell: Abusers 'a cancer' in Catholic Church|date=11 April 2020|website=The West Australian|access-date=11 April 2020|archive-date=11 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200411155452/https://thewest.com.au/news/religion-and-belief/explosive-comments-cardinal-george-pell-says-paedophilia-a-cancer-within-catholic-church-he-is-ashamed-of-how-it-dealt-with-sex-abuse-ng-b881516798z|url-status=live}} On 13 April 2020, police began investigating the allegations which were discussed in Revelation. On 16 April 2020, the Richmond Football Club denied Pell the right to be reinstated as the club's vice-patron and ambassador.{{Cite web|url=https://www.theaustralian.com.au/subscribe/news/1/?sourceCode=TAWEB_WRE170_a_GGL&dest=https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/george-pell-wont-be-reinstated-as-vice-patron-says-richmond/news-story/babb70f2dc1a888175dc211c04dd1733&memtype=anonymous&mode=premium&nk=5b630a1a4b54512f0cbedab6fce7584a-1589302974|title=Subscribe to The Australian | Newspaper home delivery, website, iPad, iPhone & Android apps|website=www.theaustralian.com.au}}{{dead link|date=January 2021}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.heraldsun.com.au/subscribe/news/1/?sourceCode=HSWEB_WRE170_a_GGL&dest=https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/richmond-tigers-wont-reinstate-george-pells-club-ambassador-role-following-acquittal/news-story/982fe7ebe425d92fd6ab134d4c7454b1&memtype=anonymous&mode=premium&nk=6604b6dc008251d4dbe81feb2f68ce6d-1589302973|title=Heraldsun.com.au | Subscribe to the Herald Sun for exclusive stories|website=www.heraldsun.com.au}}{{dead link|date=January 2021}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.thechronicle.com.au/news/tigers-wont-reinstate-pell-as-club-ambassador/3996298/|title=Football club won't reinstate Pell as club ambassador|website=Chronicle|access-date=18 April 2020|archive-date=24 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200424185214/https://www.thechronicle.com.au/news/tigers-wont-reinstate-pell-as-club-ambassador/3996298/|url-status=live}}

On 6 May 2020, the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse report found that Pell knew about the abuse committed by Ridsdale.{{Cite web|url=https://www.theaustralian.com.au/subscribe/news/1/?sourceCode=TAWEB_WRE170_a_GGL&dest=https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/inquirys-edits-not-flattering-for-george-pell/news-story/366c9cea3b080a7cb8779806b63e9ff4&memtype=anonymous&mode=premium&nk=51f6bee4c640e844e2bb8682a2862c3c-1589302974|title=Subscribe to The Australian | Newspaper home delivery, website, iPad, iPhone & Android apps|website=www.theaustralian.com.au}}{{dead link|date=January 2021}} Pell had said to the commission that he "didn't do anything about it" when a young schoolboy told him that Brother Edward Dowlan was sexually abusing him, but also tried to hide the fact that it was in part his duty to assist in the investigation.{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/may/06/george-pell-sections-of-child-abuse-royal-commission-report-to-be-published-on-thursday|title=George Pell sections of child abuse royal commission report to be published on Thursday|first=Melissa|last=Davey|newspaper=The Guardian |date=6 May 2020|via=www.theguardian.com|access-date=6 May 2020|archive-date=6 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200506152741/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/may/06/george-pell-sections-of-child-abuse-royal-commission-report-to-be-published-on-thursday|url-status=live}} These portions of the report were previously undisclosed. On 6 May 2020, newly disclosed portions of the royal commission's report found that Pell had attempted to protect Ridsdale from potential prosecution by transferring him when Pell was the vicar-general of the Diocese of Ballarat.{{Cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-11-25/details-of-pell-apology-to-victim-of-paedophile-priest-released/6972448|title=Sex abuse royal commission: Angry victim reveals details of Pell letter apologising for suffering at hands of 'creepy' paedophile priest - ABC News|date=25 November 2015|website=www.abc.net.au|access-date=7 May 2020|archive-date=8 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108125601/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-11-25/details-of-pell-apology-to-victim-of-paedophile-priest-released/6972448|url-status=live}} Pell had also confessed to the Commission that "didn't do anything about it" when a young schoolboy told him that Brother Edward Dowlan was sexually abusing him, but also tried to hide the fact that it was also in part his duty to assist in the investigation.

According to the report's newly disclosed details, which were made public on 7 May 2020, by 1973 Pell was "not only conscious of child sexual abuse by clergy but that he also had considered measures of avoiding situations which might provoke gossip about it".{{Cite web|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/george-pell-knew-child-sex-abuse-catholic-church-royal-commission-2020-5|title=George Pell, a former advisor to Pope Francis and Australia's most senior Catholic cleric, knew about child sex abuse within the Catholic Church for decades, report alleges|first=Rosie|last=Perper|website=Business Insider|access-date=7 May 2020|archive-date=14 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200514110759/https://www.businessinsider.com/george-pell-knew-child-sex-abuse-catholic-church-royal-commission-2020-5|url-status=live}} The commission report also stated that with regards to his role in assisting in Risdale's transfer to Sydney "We are satisfied that Cardinal Pell's evidence as to the reasons that the CEO deceived him was implausible. We do not accept that Bishop Pell was deceived, intentionally or otherwise."

It was also reported that Pell, who was Ridsdale's former 1973 roommate, "tried to bribe" at least one Ridsdale victim, Ridsdale's nephew David Ridsdale, "into keeping quiet".{{cite news |last1=Le Grand |first1=Chip |title=Pell knew in 1982 that Ridsdale was being moved to keep lid on scandal |url=https://www.theage.com.au/national/pell-knew-in-1982-that-ridsdale-was-moved-to-save-church-from-scandal-20200507-p54qr9.html |access-date=2020-05-09 |work=The Age |date=2020-05-07 |archive-date=9 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200509023938/https://www.theage.com.au/national/pell-knew-in-1982-that-ridsdale-was-moved-to-save-church-from-scandal-20200507-p54qr9.html |url-status=live }} David Ridsdale testified that the attempted bribe took place when he told Pell about the sex abuse over the phone in February 1983.{{Cite web|url=https://www.smh.com.au/national/pell-knew-in-1982-that-ridsdale-was-moved-to-save-church-from-scandal-20200507-p54qr9.html|title=Pell knew in 1982 that Ridsdale was being moved to keep lid on scandal|first=Chip Le|last=Grand|date=7 May 2020|website=The Sydney Morning Herald|access-date=9 May 2020|archive-date=9 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200509025743/https://www.smh.com.au/national/pell-knew-in-1982-that-ridsdale-was-moved-to-save-church-from-scandal-20200507-p54qr9.html|url-status=live}} He also stated that after he brought up the abuse, "[Pell] then began to talk about my growing family and my need to take care of their needs" and that "He mentioned how I would soon have to buy a car or house for my family." Hiss sisters, Patricia Ridsdale and Bernadette Lukaitis, also backed his account, telling the royal commission that their brother called them shortly after his conversation with Pell and said Pell had tried to bribe him. Despite not being satisfied with how David interpreted Pell's offer, which was believed to be mere assistance rather than an offer of silence, the royal commission accepted that Pell "turned his mind" to Ridsdale taking his boy victims on overnight camps.

On 8 May 2020, the Victorian Supreme Court agreed to establish an Institutional Liability List to administer child sex abuse lawsuits{{Cite web|url=https://www.smh.com.au/national/catholic-church-s-legal-deluge-compounded-by-damning-pell-findings-20200508-p54r9p.html|title=Catholic Church's legal deluge compounded by damning Pell findings|first=Farrah|last=Tomazin|date=8 May 2020|website=The Sydney Morning Herald|access-date=9 May 2020|archive-date=9 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200509025733/https://www.smh.com.au/national/catholic-church-s-legal-deluge-compounded-by-damning-pell-findings-20200508-p54r9p.html|url-status=live}} The new list includes claims for damages arising from the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. Lawsuits against Pell, and also cases concerning sexually abusive Diocese of Ballarat priests such as Ridsdale and Robert Claffey, played a major role in the list's creation.

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• [http://www.ballarat.catholic.org.au/ Catholic Diocese of Ballarat]
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• [https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/ballarats-children/id1163668460 Ballarat's Children] - podcast by The Australian

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