More than 40 years after the first allegations surfaced, former teacher Michael Anthony Lunn has been found guilty of sexually abusing multiple students at Vaucluse Public School in Sydney’s eastern suburbs.
On 26 June 2025, Lunn was convicted of 13 child sexual abuse offences—three counts of sexual assault and 10 counts of indecent assault—committed against eight young children during the 1980s. His victims were between four and eight years old at the time of the abuse.
For the survivors—now adults in their 40s—the court’s decision brought a long-awaited sense of recognition and accountability.
A survivor said:
“After 40 years, today brings a measure of accountability. We especially acknowledge those who came forward in 1985. Today’s judgment is a vindication of their courage.”
The dark reality behind a popular teacher
Michael Anthony Lunn, known as Tony Lunn, was once seen as a charismatic and hands-on teacher. One student described him as “the Pied Piper”—always surrounded by children, making them laugh.
But behind the cheerful image was a pattern of calculated, predatory behaviour.
The court heard that Lunn used his popularity and classroom routines to access and groom children. Much of the abuse took place during activities like show-and-tell, reading sessions, or while students sat on his lap at his desk. In one case, a child was singled out as “child of the week”—an appointment that came with inappropriate touching.
“We may never know the hidden cost of his abuse,” a survivor said.
The abuse included fondling, kissing, digital penetration, and—in one instance—Lunn placing his penis near a boy’s mouth during a school camp. Some survivors described him pulling their pants down under sleeping bags. Others remembered the dread of being called to his desk.
One woman said she now sees Lunn’s behaviour as worse than physical punishment.
“If the accused had engaged in some legitimate form of corporal punishment, there was no need for his hand to go under her school dress,” the judge observed.
School abuse that went unpunished for decades
Allegations against Lunn were first made public in 1985, when he appeared on the front page of the Wentworth Courier following charges of child sexual abuse at Vaucluse Public School.
Lunn left Vaucluse Public School shortly after the 1985 allegations but returned to teaching elsewhere in the NSW Department of Education by 1989. He remained employed until medically retiring in 1999.
In 1998, he submitted a workers’ compensation claim stating that his injury was caused by “more than a decade of false accusations.” The court would later find this explanation to be “unbelievable.”
A turning point for survivors in 2022
Lunn was arrested in 2022 after new complainants came forward following media reports and a police appeal. During his police interview, Lunn described himself as a “hands-on teacher,” but denied any sexual motivation.
He admitted there “may have been times” when he put his hand down a child’s pants, claiming it was to tuck in their shirt.
His defence lawyers argued the allegations were the product of “rumours and scuttlebutt” and that memories had been contaminated over time. But the court rejected those claims.
Judge McGuire described the complainants as intelligent, honest, and consistent. He found that none had fabricated their stories for financial gain or vengeance. One man said he hoped for compensation, but made his statement to “put a monster behind bars.”
Another said simply, “I am here for me.”
Emotional scars that last a lifetime
Many survivors stayed silent for decades. Some were too ashamed to speak, while others told their parents only to be sent back to school. The psychological toll of the abuse was evident in their testimonies.
One man said he felt “gross” and confused after the abuse. Another still associates Lionel Richie’s Dancing on the Ceiling with what happened to him in Lunn’s classroom. That song, which Lunn allegedly played on a bedsheet at the school, became a lasting symbol of trauma.
“It made me feel a bit gross, like something was wrong.”
Some victims said they were afraid to speak out because they didn’t want to upset their parents, or they didn’t know who to tell. Judge McGuire said their evidence was clear.
“These were deliberate and unlawful acts with unequivocal sexual connotations.”
Lunn taken into custody, awaiting sentence
Following the guilty verdicts, prosecutors applied for Lunn to be detained. The defence did not oppose. Lunn was handcuffed and taken into custody on the spot.
The courtroom was packed with survivors, their families, and police officers who had worked on the case. Tears flowed as the judge read the verdicts. For many, it marked the end of a long and painful chapter.
Lunn was due to be sentenced on 20 June. Each offence carries a maximum penalty of up to 10 years in prison.
Kelso Lawyers stands with Vaucluse Public School survivors
Kelso Lawyers has been supporting survivors of institutional child sexual abuse for more than 30 years. We know how difficult it is to speak up, and how powerful it is to be believed.
If you were a student at Vaucluse Public School in the 1980s and suffered abuse, we encourage you to reach out. You may be eligible for compensation through a civil claim or the National Redress Scheme. Our school abuse lawyers will handle your case with compassion and confidentiality.
You are not alone. It is never too late to seek justice.
If you suffered sexual abuse at school, we want to hear from you. Share your story with us before you accept any money from the National Redress Scheme. We’re here to help.
Feature Image: Brisbane Times. Note: this image was tendered to the NSW District Court.
