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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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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George Wilson WALKER
| 14/09/2015
George Wilson WALKER
New South Wales Police Force
Regd. # ?
Rank: Detective Constable 1st Class
Stations: ?, Parramatta, Moree
Service: From 11January 1937 to 11 January 1947 = 10 years Service
Awards: ?
Born: ? ? 1913/14
Died on: 11 January 1947
Cause: appendicitis
Death location: Moree Hospital
Age: 33
Funeral date: Tuesday 14 January 1947
Funeral location: St Johns Church, Birchgrove
Buried at: Cremated. Northern Suburbs Crematorium
[alert_blue]GEORGE is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance[/alert_blue] *NOTE JOB RELATED
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The Sydney Morning Herald Monday 13 January 1947 page 16 of 16
WALKER, George Wilson, Detective Constable, January 11, 1947, at Moree Hospital, beloved husband of Glady’s and loving father of Kenneth and loving sen of Mrs J Hamilton and brother of David, Peggy and Betty, and step brother of Jim and Bill Hamilton, aged 33 years. For funeral notice see Tuesdays “Herald. ”
The Newcastle Sun ( NSW ) Monday 13 January 1947 page 6 of 12
DEATH. —Moree: Detective George W. Walker, who was transferred from Parramatta to Moree three weeks ago, died in Moree Hospital yesterday from appendicitis. He was 34 years of age. Detective Walker joined the New South Wales Police Force in January, 1937.
The Sydney Morning Herald Tuesday 14 January 1947 page 18 of 30
FUNERALS
WALKER. – The Relatives and Friends of Mrs Gladys Walker are invited to attend the Funeral of her beloved Husband Detective Constable George Wilson Walker late of Parramatta and Moree ; to leave St Johns Church, Birchgrove, This (Tuesday) Morning after Service commencing at 10 o clock for Northern Suburbs Crematorium. Wood Coffill Limited
WALKER. – The Relatives and Friends of Mr and Mrs J. Hamilton of 1 Rose Street Birchgrove are invited to attend the Funeral of their beloved Son Detective-Constable George Wilson Walker. For particulars, see above notice.
WALKER. – The Relatives and Friends or Mr and Mrs David Walker of Balmain, Mr and Mrs E Allen of Clovelly, Mr and Mrs J Hamilton of Birchgrove are invited to attend the Funeral of their beloved Brother, Detective Constable George Wilson Walker. For particulars see above notice. Wood Coffill Limited
WALKER. – Lodge Hiram No 132 U.G.L. of N S W. – Officers and Members are invited to attend the Funeral of their late esteemed Bro., George W. Walker. For particulars, see family notice (Regalia ) E. D. Carpenter, W M G Walker Secretary.
The Broadcaster ( Fairfield NSW ) Wednesday 15 January 1947 p1 of 6
Formerly well known in the district as Parramatta Rugby Union coach and opular member of the police force, Constable George Walker, passed away at Moree last week.
The Cumberland Argus & Fruitgrowers Advocate ( Parramatta ) Wednesday 15 January 1947 p1 of 12
Death of George Walker Detective Constable (first class) George Wilson Walker (33), died in Moree District Hospital on Saturday, following a major operation. Detective Walker was recently transferred from Parramatta after five years here, to take charge at Moree. He is survived by a widow and one son, Ken, aged two and a half years.
His untimely death occurred on the tenth anniversary of his taking up duty with the Police Force.
While at Parramatta, he was, as coach, the driving force behind Parramatta Rugby Union team when it reached the grand final of the competition in 1944. He was a star member of Balmain Rugby League team.
The funeral left St. John’s Church, Birchgrove, yesterday, for the Northern Suburbs Crematorium.
Inspector H.E. Pyne and Detective Sergeant S. Sellers, together with other uniformed and plainclothes police, represented Parramatta Police.
Pall-bearers were Detective Constables (first class) John Renehan, Alan Gilchrist, Reg. Stackpool, Bill Clyne, Ron Laughton and Ron Walton.
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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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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Larry Charles PAISH
| 14/09/2015
Larry Charles PAISH
( late of Elanora, Qld )
New South Wales Police Force
Regd. # ?
Rank: Detective ?
Stations: ?, Narrabri, Liverpool Detectives, Fairfield Detectives
Service: From ? to ?
Awards: National Medal – granted 17 March 1992
Born: 20 February 1950
Died on: 17 December 2005
Cause: Injuries received from car accident near West Burleigh on the Gold Coast, Qld
Age: 55
Funeral date: 20 December 2005
Funeral location: ?
Buried at: Cremated. Pinegrove Memorial Park, NSW. Ashes plate. Nature Grove, Section: W4, Lot: 0
Lat/Lng: -33.79286, 150.84438
Larry Charles PAISH Ashes plate
Larry Charles PAISH Ashes wall
Larry Charles PAISH Ashes wall
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Wall location:
[alert_yellow]LARRY is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance[/alert_yellow] *NEED MORE INFO
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FURTHER DETAILS ARE REQUIRED ABOUT THIS MEMBER
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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
