Convicted paedophile David Whitcroft was allegedly involved in the repeated sexual assault of a Geelong College student almost a decade before the school's current administration was aware Whitcroft had been on campus.
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The exclusive school has discovered only in the past few days that Whitcroft had access to students over a 20-year period, as Geelong detectives continue to investigate allegations of grooming and sexual abuse.
On Wednesday morning, former student John Parker received an email from Geelong College council chairman Dr Hugh Seward, who attempted to reassure alumni that the college would support victims of alleged abuse and assist police with their investigation.
The correspondence was made in response to a Fairfax Media story on Tuesday and stated that Whitcroft had been employed by the boarding school between 1989 until 1993, when he was dismissed for "disobeying instructions not to massage boys".
But the school has since learnt Whitcroft was involved with it as far back as 1974, serving on the old collegians committee and in rowing, coaching and co-ordinating roles as a volunteer during the `70s and `80s.
Mr Parker recently reported to police that he was repeatedly abused by Whitcroft in 1981, when he was studying for his Higher School Certificate at Geelong College.
The alleged assaults against Mr Parker were said to have included rape and masturbation and to have taken place in the Mossgiel boarding house on the Geelong campus and a boat shed linked to the school.
Now 51, Mr Parker decided to speak publicly about the allegations because he wants to encourage others to come forward if they have suffered sexual assault.
"I don't want a cent from the school, but I hope that other people find the strength to speak out," he said.
"In many ways I consider myself to be fortunate. I have had the good fortune to have a strong, loving family and lifelong friends. Without them I would not be here."
Mr Parker said he had suffered bouts of depression, abused alcohol and drugs and attempted suicide, since graduating in 1981.
He claims Whitcroft groomed him for years before the sexual abuse, supplied alcohol and "talked dirty".
"As an adolescent grappling with my sexuality, I believe he identified me as 'easy prey'. The school did nothing to protect me and possibly others in a similar situation. It beggars belief that no one in charge was aware of what was happening," Mr Parker said.
He said he was disgusted with the school's handling of the sex abuse scandal, which includes further allegations that other staff engaged in inappropriate conduct dating back to the 1960s.
Dr Seward said the school had not been aware of the shocking allegations involving Mr Parker and welcomed the police investigation.
"We are distressed and deeply concerned after learning from The Age of the terrible abuse suffered by John, and we have contacted him to offer our support and care.
"We understand his sense of betrayal by the school, which failed in its responsibility to care for him. We offer our sincere apologies for the abuse he suffered, and its ongoing effects. We would also like to reassure John, and all of our community, that we are confident that our school now provides a safe, caring and supportive environment for all students," Mr Seward said.
On May 3, Whitcroft now 68, was sentenced to 18 months in prison, plus a two-year community correction order, after pleading guilty to five charges of sexual penetration of a 14-year-old boy at the Sunshine Boys Hostel in 1982.
