University of Tasmania and artwork fraternity the Glover Society are considering severing ties with convicted pedophile John Wayne Millwood.
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Prior to admitting he molested a boy in the 1980s, Millwood was bestowed the titles of honorary research associate and research fellow within the university’s Faculty of Health and the School of Health Sciences.
He is also a life member of the Glover Society, well-known for his contributions to Tasmania’s arts scene.
Late last year, the 71-year-old pleaded guilty to maintaining a sexual relationship with a young person.
Between 1983 and 1989, he molested the boy under the pretence he was checking him for a medical condition.
On Friday, spokeswoman for Millwood’s victim and Latrobe councillor Danya Dennison wrote to both UTAS and the Glover Society and urged the organisations to distance themselves from him.
“I urge you to revoke these prestigious positions, and in so doing, make a statement to your community that you do not tolerate this kind of abuse on our young people, nor do we support or admire these perpetrators in alternate areas of their public lives,” Cr Dennison wrote to UTAS vice chancellor Peter Rathjen.
On Saturday, UTAS human resources executive director Chris Smyth said: "Our University community upholds a set of values which includes respect, fairness and justice. We will review the approach we have received and advise of our decision once it has been made.”
Glover spokesman Mark Wells said the correspondence would be discussed at an upcoming committee meeting.
Millwood has his own office, fax number and email address with UTAS, according to his university staff profile.
Since his incarceration, spokeswoman for Millwood’s victim Dayna Dennison has been pushing for the pedophile to be erased from Launceston’s memory.
In December, she requested the City of Launceston revoke Millwood’s 2009 heritage prize for restoring a historic home on St John Street.
Council general manager Robert Dobrzynski denied her request and said the prize had nothing to do with Millwood’s character, only his house.
Not satisfied with the response, Cr Dennison will take the fight to Monday’s City of Launceston council meeting.
She intends to present a petition that features more than 300 signatures supporting the push for the award to be revoked.
Fairfax Tasmania revealed last week that Millwood has appealed his four-year jail sentence for molesting the boy.
His lawyer Darrell Grey claims the sentence is excessive and various factors of the court case were not taken into consideration by sentencing judge Shan Tennent.
