Brother Robert George Chambers

Teaching Career

Brother Robert George Chambers was a member of the Christian Brothers who taught at a number of schools in Queensland, including:

• St Joseph's Christian Brothers College, Rockhampton (during the 1960s)

• Ignatius Park College, Townsville (during the 1980s)

Air Rifle Assault Conviction

On 10 October 2002, Brother Robert George Chambers, then aged 60, appeared in the Brisbane District Court, where he pleaded guilty to assault occasioning bodily harm.

The offence related to an incident in 1968 while Chambers was teaching at St Joseph's Christian Brothers College, Rockhampton. According to the court, Chambers stood at a window of the Christian Brothers' residence and fired an air rifle at a 12-year-old student in the school grounds, striking the boy twice in the back of his legs as he drank from a water fountain.

Judge Julie Dick placed Chambers on a six-month good behaviour bond and imposed a $100 fine.

During the proceedings, the prosecution advised the court that it had elected not to proceed with another, separate charge against Chambers.

Ignatius Park College

Brother Chambers later taught at Ignatius Park College, Townsville, during the 1980s.

Former students have alleged that Chambers was widely known by the nickname "the Groper" while teaching at the school. These allegations have not been tested in court, and no criminal conviction is known to have resulted from them.

Ignatius Park College was also the school where Brother Damien O'Dempsey was later convicted of numerous child sexual offences committed against students during the early 1980s. Some former students have speculated that Chambers may have had knowledge of, or involvement in, aspects of the abuse occurring at the school. However, no evidence has been produced establishing such involvement, no charges have been laid, and no court has made any findings against Chambers in relation to those allegations.

Public Record

As of the latest publicly available information, Brother Robert George Chambers has continued to be listed by the Christian Brothers as serving in a website management role.