Former Teacher Sentenced for Historical Sexual Crimes
A former physical education teacher has been sentenced to seven-and-a-half years in prison for sexual offences committed against two schoolgirls in the 1980s at a high school in Traralgon, Gippsland, Victoria. William “Rob” Gilfillan, who is already serving Australia’s longest sentence for other crimes, will serve this sentence concurrently with his prior 48-year term.
Gilfillan, aged 69, appeared via video link from Barwon prison for sentencing before Chief Justice Amanda Chambers. During the hearing, he repeatedly shook his head as the judge outlined his offences. Chambers noted that Gilfillan denies the allegations and that there is no prospect of rehabilitation.
“Teachers are entrusted by their schools and school communities in the performance of their role,”
“This case highlights the profound and enduring harm caused where offending transgresses that foundational relationship of trust.”
Details of the Offences and Sentencing
In December, Gilfillan was found guilty of indecent assault of a person under 16 and sexual penetration of a child under 16. The offences occurred during his tenure at the Traralgon high school in Gippsland in the 1980s.
Chief Justice Chambers referenced Gilfillan’s existing 48-year sentence imposed in 2016 in New South Wales for the rape and torture of his daughter. She emphasized that this prior sentence means Gilfillan will not be eligible for parole until he is 92 years old.
“If you are not granted parole, by the time you have served your 48-year sentence, you will have reached the age of 104,”
“It is more likely than not that you will die in custody. I am not aware of any sentence imposed in Australia for the offence of incest that is comparable … and that is not to be taken as a criticism … but rather a reflection of the gravity of your offending in that state.”
Chambers explained that adding the new sentence consecutively would result in a disproportionate total sentence and therefore ordered that the seven-and-a-half-year term be served concurrently with the existing sentence.
“It is nonetheless important to recognise and state that the individual sentences of imprisonment imposed on you today are a vindication of the two victims whose accounts of your sexual abuse were believed despite your denials,”
Chambers described Gilfillan’s decision to offend against the two girls as a “reasoned, albeit perverted one, engaged in for your own sexual gratification.”
“There are a number of features of your offending that mark its seriousness,”
“Firstly, your offending against TC in the back of the school gym involved a brazen and forcible act of sexual penetration. In her evidence, TC described you thrusting your penis into her vagina, which she says really hurt.”
The court also heard about the impact on the second victim, identified as BM, who became an isolated teenager due to the emotional trauma she endured. She experienced significant hurt, confusion, and pain, remaining in a “dark place for a very long time.”
Media Restrictions and Subsequent Coverage
Between 2016, when Gilfillan was convicted in New South Wales, and December 2025, media reporting was restricted, preventing the naming of Gilfillan while he faced Victorian charges before a jury.
In 2023, The Australian newspaper published a podcast based on extensive interviews with Gilfillan and his former wife, Karen Gilfillan, who was also jailed for her involvement in the sexual abuse of their daughter. The podcast raised questions about their guilt and suggested the possibility of a miscarriage of justice.
Australia revealed in April how journalist Richard Guilliatt was able to conduct interviews with the incarcerated couple. The podcast, titled Shadow of Doubt, presented their claims of innocence, with the couple stating to The Australian:
“We’re innocent … these things just did not happen.”
In the podcast, the couple were not named and their voices were distorted to protect their identities.
