In front of friends and family in the Launceston Supreme Court on Wednesday, Millwood admitted to maintaining a sexual relationship with a young person.

The offence was committed against a boy between September 4, 1983  and September 3, 1989.

Millwood, now in his 70s, was the practice manager at Launceston Pathology and worked in that field for more than 50 years.

Members of the gallery cried after his plea was entered.

His supporters sat silently and watched on.

Millwood – dressed in a grey suit, with a white shirt, and a blue and yellow tie – kept a straight face throughout the proceeding.

Two other charges against Millwood were adjourned.

Following his plea, his lawyer Peter Chadwick QC made a successful application for bail, before hurrying his client out of the courthouse and down Cameron Street.

Tasmania’s Director of Public Prosecutions Daryl Coates SC represented the state throughout the case.

Millwood will reappear in the Hobart Supreme Court on November 21.

Millwood started his career in 1963 as a cadet medical technologist at the Commonwealth Health Department pathology laboratory in Launceston.

He is well known in the medical field and in the arts community.

In 2009, Millwood was named winner of the City of Launceston’s prestigious heritage award.