A formal complaint from a friend of Lyn Dawson that NSW police were failing to investigate her suspicious disappearance from Sydney’s northern beaches has been discovered decades later in a sealed file in state archives.
Susan Strath was so disturbed by the inaction of police that she wrote to the NSW Ombudsman’s office and begged the independent government watchdog to intervene.
Ms Strath’s complaint of 1985, three years after Lyn went missing, documented her alarm that a woman could vanish without officers interviewing work colleagues or friends, or conducting any serious investigation.
She pointed out that shortly before Lyn went missing her husband Chris — a teacher and former star footballer — was widely known to be in an intense affair with a teenage schoolgirl who had been one of his students.
“Her husband was so sure she would not return, his girlfriend was moved in the following week,” she wrote.
“He has now married his schoolgirl lover, has a beautiful home and established family.
“Everything seems too easy. He got exactly what he wanted and his wife, who wasn’t up to standard, has vanished from the face of the earth, having no further contact with family or friends.
“It doesn’t seem possible that a person can be swept under the rug and forgotten.”
The ombudsman’s file on the complaint was discovered by The Australian in storage with NSW State Archives and Records after lengthy investigations for podcast series The Teacher’s Pet and is detailed in a new episode, released today.
The ombudsman’s office had said no trace of the complaint could be found and that records would have been destroyed.
But after archives staff located the file for The Australian, the ombudsman’s office agreed to waive restrictions that would have prevented the documents being released for 90 years from when they were created.
Among the documents was Mr Dawson’s long-lost handwritten statement to police of August 1982, in which he blamed his marital problems on his wife’s credit card spending but did not mention his teenage lover.
Mr Dawson’s statement had disappeared along with the rest of the separate police file in the 1990s and was not available to the former investigating officer, Damian Loone, or to two coroners who examined the case.
Despite Ms Strath’s complaint, neither police nor the ombudsman’s office interviewed Mr Dawson’s schoolgirl lover, Joanne Curtis, or numerous other witnesses including fellow teachers, neighbours, family members and friends at the time.
Senior police who were forwarded the complaint insisted there was a satisfactory investigation when Lyn disappeared and there was nothing to indicate foul play or suspicious circumstances.
It would be another five years before Sydney homicide detectives looked at the case, acting on information from Mr Dawson’s former teenage lover, Ms Curtis, after they split up.
The two coroners later found, in 2001 and 2003, that Mr Dawson murdered his wife. He has not been charged and maintains his innocence.
The sealed ombudsman’s file includes correspondence about Ms Strath’s 1985 complaint, showing Lyn’s disappearance was brought to the attention of the highest levels of the NSW police force.
Sue Thompson, an ombudsman investigator, referred Ms Strath’s complaint directly to then-police commissioner John Avery. The commissioner was kept informed of the progress of inquiries.
“This is a bit of a sensitive complaint. It’s about the alleged disappearance of a woman some three years ago and allegation that the police may have failed to properly investigate,” Ms Thompson wrote in a file note.
Ms Strath noted in her complaint that she last spoke to Lyn on Friday, January 8, 1982, at the childcare centre where they both worked. Lyn and her husband had returned from marriage counselling that day, with Lyn expressing excitement that their marital difficulties would be resolved, she wrote. Lyn disappeared the next day, without another word being heard from her.
“The next day what happened????” Ms Strath wrote.
She noted Lyn’s inability to drive, her exceptional devotion to her two young daughters, then aged four and two, and her love of her Bayview home, which was worth more than $250,000 when she vanished.
Ms Strath also noted Lyn had no interest in religion and didn’t attend church — this was a response to her husband’s claims that she apparently went off with a religious group.
“I would like to know what the police have done in the matter? Why weren’t her workmates interviewed as to her last 24 hours?
“I’m concerned that I was one of the last to see her on the Friday but was never questioned by the police. Can a person just disappear and it be accepted?”
A senior officer, Inspector Geoff Shattles ( # 7398 ), noted in response that Lyn’s parents, Helena and Len Simms, had not “ever hinted” at concerns of foul play.
“Further to this, the brother of the missing person is a senior constable in the NSW police force and he at no time contacted police at this station in regard to any suspicions.”
A chief superintendent wrote that he was “satisfied all avenues of investigation were covered at the time”.
The file shows that as a result of Ms Strath’s complaint, she was visited in 1985 by a detective, who also contacted one of her colleagues at the childcare centre. Inspector Shattles also spoke to Lyn’s mother.
But there was still no questioning of the former schoolgirl lover or many other key witnesses. In the course of its preliminary investigation, the ombudsman’s office had Mr Dawson’s 1982 handwritten statement to police about his wife’s disappearance, in which he lied about going away “to be by myself” over Christmas 1981 when he had gone to Queensland with Ms Curtis.
Mr Dawson at the end of his statement made an unusual comment — that he was “being advised on procedure by Sergeant Brian Gardner( #8841 ), Manly Detectives”.
Mr Gardner was an influential senior figure of the Belrose Rugby League Club, where Mr Dawson and his twin brother Paul were joint captains and coaches. Known to colleagues as “Smacka”, Brian has since died.
Ms Strath believed Mr Dawson’s celebrity status as a former Newtown Jets rugby league star protected him from scrutiny.
Ultimately the ombudsman’s office concluded “no further action is necessary” after informing Ms Strath of the police position.
NSW Ombudsman Michael Barnes yesterday said the office had limited jurisdiction and resources in 1985 and its response was “satisfactory”.
Joined NSW Police Force via NSW Police Cadet system on 17 January 1945
Cadet # 500
Stations: ?, Lismore – Supt.
Service: From 17 January 1945 to ? ? 1985 = 40+ years Service
Awards: National medal – granted 29 June 1984
Born: ? February 1927
Died on: Monday 7 September 2015
Cause: pancreatic cancer
Age: 88
Funeral date: ?
Funeral location: ?
Buried at: Cremated. Already held.
[alert_yellow]THOMAS is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance[/alert_yellow] *NEED MORE INFO
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Funeral location:
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I can’t find much information on this man at this stage.
He is married in 1949 ( BDM Reg. # 26166/1949 ) to Connie WEBB at Grafton, NSW.
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Gold Coast RPA Newsletter September 2015 Issue # 16
Additionally, it is my further sad duty to reflect upon the passing of Thomas Frank WOTTON who was the very dear and much loved father of our own Branch member Kay Ann DAWSON and her sisters, Wendy and Robyn and loving husband of Connie.
Tom, who in February of this year celebrated his 88 birthday, seemingly enjoyed excellent health, until suddenly being struck down by the onset of pancreatic cancer. Tom’s outstanding police career concluded with his retirement as the Superintendent in Charge of Lismore in 1985.
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William Keith WILLIAMSON
| 14/09/2015
William Keith WILLIAMSON
aka Bill & Blinky Bill
New South Wales Police Force
Regd. # 7243
Rank: Inspector
Stations: ?, Fairfield O.I.C. 34 Division ( in 1970’s )
Service: From ? to ?
Awards: ?
Born: ?
Died on: 15 November 2003
Cause: ?
Age: 78
Funeral date: ?
Funeral location: ?
Buried at: ?
[alert_yellow]BILL is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance[/alert_yellow] *NEED MORE INFO
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Funeral location: ?
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FURTHER INFORMATION IS NEEDED ON THIS MEMBER
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Bill Williamson was the OIC of Fairfield when Stephen Moore was the Inspectors Clerk there in 1979. Bill was replaced by Phil Child in late 1979. From memory Bill was an Olympic sculler in the same crew as former Commissioner Merv Wood. 1948 or 1952 Olympics. At the same time we had Frank Murphy at Fairfield as assistant Inspector and he was an Olympic Diver.
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Richard John GERSBACH
| 14/09/2015
Richard John GERSBACH
New South Wales Police Force
AKA RICK
Late of ?
[alert_yellow]Regd. # 8569[/alert_yellow]
Rank: Probationary Constable – appointed 29 October 1956
Senior Constable – appointed 29 October 1966
Detective – appointed ? ? ?
Detective Sergeant 3rd Class – appointed 31 March 1973
Unfortunately, Arthur ended his police career after returning from light duties following major abdominal surgery and an injury sustained when called out to a Yugoslav Wedding reception that went wrong and where Arthur was beaten and unable to return to duty. Several years later, he was boarded out as medically unfit for duty due to the injuries sustained from the beating – and moved to Manilla NSW and later to Tamworth NSW.
Service: From Monday 30 May 1960 to 13 June 1987 = 27 years, 0 months, 14 days Service
National Service: 77 days of continuous training at Puckapunyal
Follow Up Training: For the next two years, he undertook Citizen Military Force training doing weekend drills in the foothills of Canberra and Singleton. Whilst at Singleton, he received a letter to commence Police training in Goulburn. Approval to cease Citizen Military Force training was granted by the Army.
Basic Training: ?
Next of Kin: ?
Medals: None for display
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Police Awards: National Medal –granted15 September 1980 ( Sgt 3/c )
Born: Thursday 12 December 1940 in Harden, NSW
Died on: Monday 4 October 2004 in Tamworth Base Hospital, NSW
Cause: Cancer
Age: 63 yrs 9 mths 22 days
Funeral date: Thursday 7 October 2004
Funeral location: St Nicholas Catholic Church, White St, Tamworth, NSW
Funeral Type: Burial
Buried at: Lincoln Grove Gardens, 1040 Gunnedah Rd, Tamworth, NSW
Grave Location: FYP – 4 – A ( Family Plot )
GPS of Grave: -31.075638 150.849480
ARTHUR is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance *NEED MORE INFO
Funeral location:
Arthur, back in the late 1970’s, was working the caged trucks of Fairfield and Cabramatta Police Stations ( both 34 Division ).
No further details are known of his death.
Arthur Stephen McKenna (extract from his Eulogy – dictated by Arthur prior to his passing)
One day reading the Sydney Morning Herald during his lunch break, he noticed an advertisement calling for people to apply for the NSW Police Force and he sent in an application.
Prior to being accepted, Arthur was called up for National Service in 1958 and underwent his medical by Dr Rag Holmes at Yass. Arthur did 77 days of continuous training at Puckapunyal.
The following two years, he undertook Citizen Military Force training doing weekend drills in the foothills of Canberra and Singleton. Whilst at Singleton, he received a letter to commence Police training in Goulburn. Approval to cease Citizen Military Force training was granted by the Army and he started on Monday, 30th May 1960 in the NSW Police Force.
After five weeks training and on the 4 July 1960, Arthur was sworn in and did 12 months probationary training when he was 19½ years.
Stationed at Darlinghurst No.3 at Taylor Square, he lived in the area for 12 months and passed his final exams and became fully fledged. On the eve of this graduation, he polished his boots with such vigour that next morning he was shocked to discover that all the leather had lifted from his boots – but his graduation proved a happy day for Arthur and his parents.
He was then stationed at Goulburn and Queanbeyan. During 1967, Arthur had the distinction of opening the door of Parliament House for the President of the United States of America – Linden B Johnstone and Deputy Prime Minister Jack McKeon.
Arthur later returned to Sydney and worked in the mid 1960’s at Regent Street No.2 Division Camperdown. Arthur and another rookie constable were called to escort prisoners to Long Bay Goal from Central Court. After setting off, the rookie, who was driving, asked Arthur which way? How do I know said Arthur, I’m from the bush to which the rookie replied so am I! After several circuits of the city they stopped and asked a policeman for directions to Long Bay.
He meritoriously served the Government and the people of NSW as a member of the NSW Police Force registered No 9677 from 30 May 1960 to 13 June 1987 and was honourably discharged upon reaching the rank of 2nd Class Sergeant. He was also awarded the National Medal.
Arthur had a beautiful singing voice and he was a valued and proud member of the NSW Police Choir which gave him great pleasure.
Arthur later transferred to Fairfield No.34 Division and finally to Cabramatta. He loved to work in plain clothes in court processing with great friend, Joan Lockley and had more time to spend with his young children. Later, he decided to return to uniform and took up a posting at Cabramatta where he went back on the beat.
Unfortunately, Arthur ended his police career after returning from light duties following major abdominal surgery and an injury sustained when called out to a Yugoslav Wedding reception that went wrong and where Arthur was beaten and unable to return to duty. Several years later, he was boarded out as medically unfit for duty due to the injuries sustained from the beating – and moved to Manilla NSW and later to Tamworth NSW.
Arthur was an avid reader and claimed to travel the world by reading books. The last book, Arthur was reading was “To Protect and to Serve” which is not only the motto of the NSW Police Force but also mirrored his devotion to his family and friends.
Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 – 1995),
Thursday 11 March 1965, page 13
Queanbeyan Court: Constable says loud record was obscene
The section of the Vagrants Act, 1902, relating to the maximum penalty for offensive behaviour was criticised by a magistrate at Queanbeyan
yesterday.
Mr. Hughes. S.M., said the maximum fine of £5 was inadequate for some types of offences.
He convicted Michael James Coffey, of H.M.A.S. Melbourne, of offensive behaviour in Queanbeyan on July 24 last year.
He fined Coffey £5 and said he regretted that it was not more.
The case was heard ex-parte.
Const. Arthur Stephen McKenna told Mr. Hughes that he heard loud music coming from the Coffee Bean restaurant in Cassidy’s Arcade, Queanbeyan, on the morning of July 24.
The music was coming from a record called Bawdy Songs Go to College. The track being played was Study of Anatomy.
In the restaurant a number of people, both male and female, were sitting around.
Const. McKenna said he told Coffey that in his opinion the record was obscene.
The song was being played very loudly and could be heard from Monaro Street, the main street of Queanbeyan,. Const. McKenna said.
After convicting Coffey, Mr. Hughes commended Const. McKenna on his action.
FLEMING, James Francis
19.10.1950 – 30.08.2015
Sergeant of Police (r’td).
Passed away peacefully on 30 August 2015.
Late of Elderslie.
Beloved husband of Miriam. Devoted father of Penny and grandfather of Meredith and Rhapsody. Much loved son of Nita & Bill and dear brother of Elizabeth (dec), Paul, Cathy, John, Margaret, Helen, Anthony and Gregory.
Rest In Peace
A Celebration of JAMES’ Life was held at the Forest Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery, Leppington on MONDAY (September 7, 2015).
