Parramatta Marist High School in Westmead, NSW was the subject of 21 allegations of historical child sexual abuse reported to the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. The Supreme Court of New South Wales has found the school vicariously liable for abuse connected with the Parramatta Marist Canoe Club. Koffels Solicitors & Barristers has acted for survivors in multiple civil matters before the Supreme Court and continues to investigate matters from earlier decades.
If you attended Parramatta Marist High School or were a member of the canoe club and experienced abuse, you may have legal options available to you. Enquiries are treated in complete confidence.
Can I make a compensation claim for abuse at Parramatta Marist High School?
Yes. The Supreme Court of New South Wales has found Parramatta Marist High School vicariously liable for abuse connected with the canoe club. Survivors may be able to pursue a civil compensation claim or apply under the National Redress Scheme. In NSW, time limits for child sexual abuse civil claims have been removed, meaning historical matters can still be pursued.
About the School
Parramatta Marist High School is a Catholic independent secondary school for boys located in Westmead, in western Sydney. Established in its original form in 1820, the school has operated under the guidance of the Marist Brothers since 1875, and has educated generations of students from western Sydney and beyond. The school’s current secondary campus in Westmead opened in 1966.
For some former students, their time at Parramatta Marist may be associated with experiences that were harmful or deeply distressing. In many cases, people do not speak about these experiences until many years — or even decades — after leaving school.
When considering historical matters, the focus is on the institutional context in which students were educated and supervised, and the duty of care that existed during the relevant period.
Parramatta Marist and the Royal Commission
The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse reported 21 allegations of historical child sexual abuse involving Parramatta Marist High School. The Royal Commission’s examination of the Marist Brothers — including Case Study 13 — found systemic failures in the order’s response to abuse allegations, including the transfer of accused brothers to new locations rather than appropriate reporting and intervention.
The Royal Commission’s work highlighted patterns of conduct across multiple decades and raised significant concerns about how complaints were handled within the Marist Brothers and how institutions responded to allegations against staff. More information about the Royal Commission’s findings in relation to Marist Brothers schools is publicly available through the Commission’s published case studies.
The Parramatta Marist Canoe Club
The Parramatta Marist Canoe Club was established at the school in approximately 1976. The club operated under the supervision of teacher Graeme Stuart Hawkins, who taught at the school from 1975 to 1993. The club conducted camps and activities at various locations including Mystery Bay, Wisemans Ferry, Narrabeen, and Sydney Harbour.
It is alleged that Hawkins supplied alcohol and cigarettes to students during club activities and sexually abused students in his care. The majority of the alleged abuse is said to have occurred during camps and trips away with the canoe club. In October 1993, the alleged conduct was reported to police and investigated. Fourteen victims were identified in the original investigation, with an average age of approximately 14 years at the time of the alleged offences. In December 1993, Hawkins was found deceased near Kempsey, NSW.
Koffels has acted for multiple survivors in civil proceedings arising from the canoe club. The Supreme Court of New South Wales found that Parramatta Marist High School was vicariously liable for Hawkins’ conduct. The Court also found that Principal Mulligan provided no meaningful oversight of the canoe club or of Hawkins’ activities, identifying this failure of supervision as a central factor in the school’s institutional failure.
Investigations conducted by Koffels indicate that misconduct in the canoe club may also have occurred during the 1970s and 1980s, beyond the period covered by the original 1993 police investigation. These matters are under ongoing investigation. The removal of limitation periods for child sexual abuse in New South Wales means that survivors from all decades may still have legal options available to them.
Brother Geoffrey “Coman” Sykes
Brother Geoffrey Sykes, also known as Brother Coman, served at Parramatta Marist High School. Allegations of child sexual abuse were made against Brother Sykes, including abuse said to have occurred during a school retreat in the NSW Southern Highlands. A 2017 investigation by the Marist Brothers is reported to have recognised past wrongs involving Brother Sykes.
If you experienced abuse involving Brother Sykes at Parramatta Marist or at any Marist Brothers institution, Koffels may be able to assist you.
Koffels’ Work at Parramatta Marist
Koffels Solicitors & Barristers has acted for survivors of abuse connected to Parramatta Marist High School in proceedings before the Supreme Court of New South Wales. Those matters resulted in findings of institutional liability, with the Court recognising the school’s responsibility for the conduct of those in positions of authority over students.
Our investigations have extended across multiple decades of the school’s history, and that work is ongoing.
You can read more about our work in this area:
- Parramatta Marist Canoe Club: Justice for Abuse Survivors
- Brother Geoffrey “Coman” Sykes — Parramatta Marist High School
Legal Options for Survivors
Civil Compensation Claims
A civil compensation claim may be available where an institution may be found to have been responsible for abuse that occurred in its care. The Supreme Court’s findings of vicarious liability against Parramatta Marist High School in relation to the canoe club establish that the school may bear legal responsibility for harm suffered by survivors.
Civil claims in historical institutional abuse matters can address the full impact of the abuse, including psychological injury, economic loss, and the cost of treatment and care. The removal of limitation periods for child sexual abuse in New South Wales means historical claims are not automatically time-barred.
For a full explanation of how civil compensation claims work, see our Institutional Abuse Compensation page.
National Redress Scheme
The National Redress Scheme may be available to some survivors of institutional child sexual abuse. Koffels advises on whether the Scheme or a civil claim is likely to be the more appropriate pathway in your circumstances. We do not lodge Redress applications directly, but we provide clear strategic advice on both options.
For more on the Scheme, see our National Redress Scheme page.
What Records or Information May Be Relevant?
In historical school matters, relevant information may include:
- enrolment or attendance records
- school reports or administrative documents
- medical, counselling, or psychological treatment records
- personal recollections or disclosures made to family, friends, or others at the time
You do not need to have reported the abuse at the time. Many survivors of historical institutional abuse did not come forward during the original investigation. It is not too late to seek advice.
If You Attended the School or the Canoe Club
Koffels is seeking to hear from anyone who:
- experienced abuse connected with Parramatta Marist High School or the Parramatta Marist Canoe Club during any period from the 1970s to the 1990s
- witnessed conduct or had concerns about the supervision of the canoe club or activities involving Hawkins or other staff members
- was involved in the 1993 police investigation or subsequent proceedings
- is a parent, family member, or other person with relevant information
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this page make allegations about Parramatta Marist High School?
No. This page is informational. It exists to help former students recognise the institution and understand possible options. References to court findings are stated as findings of the Supreme Court of New South Wales, not as allegations made by Koffels. It does not make independent findings of fact.
I was a member of the canoe club in the 1970s or early 1980s — is it too late to make a claim?
No. In New South Wales, limitation periods for child sexual abuse have been removed by legislation. This means the passage of time does not, by itself, prevent you from bringing a civil claim. Koffels is actively investigating matters from earlier decades of the canoe club’s operation. Contact us for a confidential assessment of your circumstances.
The Supreme Court has already made findings — does that affect my claim?
The Supreme Court’s finding of vicarious liability against Parramatta Marist High School in relation to the canoe club is relevant but does not automatically resolve individual claims. Each matter is assessed on its own facts. Contact us to discuss how the Court’s findings may be relevant to your circumstances.
I was abused by a Marist Brother at the school, not by Hawkins — can I still make a claim?
Yes. The school’s broader history of abuse, including allegations involving Brother Sykes and others, may give rise to separate civil claims. The Royal Commission reported 21 allegations against the school involving multiple individuals. Koffels advises survivors across all aspects of the school’s abuse history, not only the canoe club matters.
What if I am unsure whether what I experienced was abuse?
Many people feel uncertain. Seeking information or legal advice does not require certainty, and a confidential conversation can help clarify whether your experience may fall within recognised legal categories. There is no obligation to proceed.
Is the National Redress Scheme available for Parramatta Marist?
The National Redress Scheme operates nationally. Eligibility depends on the institution and individual circumstances. We can advise you on whether the Scheme or a civil claim is the more suitable pathway in your case.
Do I have to take legal action?
No. Reading about options or seeking advice creates no obligation to proceed. Many survivors begin by asking questions and decide later — in their own time — whether they wish to take any action.
What does it cost to get advice?
The initial consultation is free, confidential, and without obligation. Koffels acts on a no win, no fee basis for institutional abuse matters where we assess the claim as reasonably likely to succeed. Out-of-pocket disbursements, such as medical records and expert reports, are discussed with you at the outset.
Speak to Us Confidentially
If you attended Parramatta Marist High School or were connected with the Parramatta Marist Canoe Club and experienced abuse, or if you have information about abuse connected to the school, Koffels offers a free and confidential discussion about your options.
Koffels Solicitors & Barristers
02 9283 5599
You can also request a free and confidential callback using the contact form below. All discussions are treated with sensitivity and complete respect for your privacy. There is no obligation to proceed.
[Contact form — insert existing form shortcode here]Related Pages
- Institutional Abuse Compensation
- National Redress Scheme
- Marist Brothers — Abuse Claims and Compensation
Disclaimer: This information is general in nature and does not constitute legal advice. Every survivor’s circumstances are unique, and the applicable law will depend on specific facts. We recommend obtaining specialist legal advice before taking action.
If you are in immediate crisis, please contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or the Blue Knot Foundation National Helpline on 1300 657 380.
