Brother Robert Charles Best

Brother Robert Charles Best was a member of the Christian Brothers who taught in Catholic schools across Victoria, Tasmania and Western Australia for more than three decades. During that time he sexually abused numerous boys under his care. Although concerns about his behaviour were known within the Christian Brothers, he remained in ministry for many years before police investigations eventually led to multiple convictions and lengthy prison sentences.

Early Life and Teaching Career

Robert Charles Best was educated at Christian Brothers schools in Warrnambool and Bundoora before entering the Christian Brothers novitiate in 1960 at the age of 19.

His teaching appointments included:

• 1963 – Christian Brothers school, Fremantle, Western Australia.

• 1967 – Christian Brothers school, Launceston, Tasmania.

• 1968–1973 – Principal of St Alipius Primary School, Ballarat East, Victoria, while living at St Patrick's College and supervising a dormitory.

• 1974 – Attached to a national pastoral institute in Melbourne and briefly taught at St Bernard's College, Moonee Ponds.

• 1975–1985 – St Leo's College, Box Hill, where he taught Grade 6 and junior secondary classes and later became Superior of the Christian Brothers community.

• 1985–1989 – St Joseph's College, Geelong, serving as Year 8 Coordinator.

• 1989–1994 – Warrnambool Christian Brothers College, where he specialised in Year 9 and was Superior of the Warrnambool Christian Brothers community.

Abuse of Students

Evidence presented in court established that Best deliberately targeted vulnerable boys. The abuse occurred in classrooms, his office, sick bays, school camps, sporting activities, swimming lessons and even during religious instruction classes.

Victims described indecent touching, digital penetration and other sexual assaults. In some cases, other members of the Christian Brothers witnessed or became aware of the abuse but failed to report it, allowing Best continued access to children.

Police Investigation

In 1994, a former student from St Alipius contacted Victoria Police. Detectives interviewed Best and began locating former students, leading to a series of investigations that continued for more than two decades.

First Court Proceedings (1996)

Best first appeared before the Melbourne County Court in 1996, facing charges involving five boys from St Alipius Primary School. He was convicted of indecent assault against one victim and received a suspended sentence.

The sentencing judge highlighted Best's abuse of trust as a teacher and principal, his position of authority and the vulnerability of the children. The judge also noted Best had shown no remorse.

Despite this conviction, the Christian Brothers retained Best as a member of the Order and employed him in an administrative role.

Further Convictions (1998)

Additional victims came forward, resulting in further charges. In March 1998, Best was convicted on six counts involving two boys and sentenced to two years' imprisonment with a minimum non-parole period of twelve months.

Although these convictions were later overturned on appeal and a retrial did not proceed, further victims continued to report offences to police.

Major Investigation (2002–2011)

Between 2002 and 2009, Victoria Police gathered statements from former students at St Alipius, St Leo's College and St Joseph's College.

Best was committed to stand trial on dozens of charges involving multiple victims. Because of legal rulings, separate juries heard many of the complaints, and strict suppression orders prevented media reporting until the proceedings concluded.

In May 2011, after years of maintaining his innocence, Best pleaded guilty to several charges after prosecutors agreed to reduce one allegation. This ended the remaining trials.

Overall, Best was convicted or pleaded guilty to 27 offences involving 11 victims.

Sentencing in 2011

On 8 August 2011, Best was sentenced to 14 years and nine months' imprisonment, with a non-parole period of 11 years and three months.

The sentencing judge described the offences as a grave breach of trust by a teacher and spiritual leader who had preyed upon vulnerable boys. The court heard emotional victim impact statements detailing lifelong psychological trauma, broken relationships, addiction, depression and suicidal thoughts.

Christian Brothers' Response

Evidence presented to the Royal Commission showed that the Christian Brothers spent more than $1.5 million on legal costs defending Best during years of criminal proceedings.

The Order publicly apologised to some victims following the 2011 convictions but continued to recognise Robert Charles Best as a member of the Christian Brothers. In evidence to the Royal Commission in 2015, the Order confirmed there were no plans to expel him.

Further Charges and Final Sentence

After the 2011 convictions, additional former students contacted Victoria Police. A further investigation resulted in Best pleading guilty in 2017 to offences against another 20 boys committed between 1968 and 1988.

Judge Geoffrey Chettle described the continuing financial support provided to Best by the Christian Brothers as "gobsmacking" and criticised the hypocrisy of the situation.

On 2 March 2017, Best received an additional sentence of 10 years and five months' imprisonment.

In sentencing, Judge Chettle told Best:

"Your offending was horrific... You caused lifelong misery for many people."

The judge also accepted it was highly likely that Best would die in prison.