St Andrew's Hostel survivors await memorial and apology as abuser faces release

It has been more than a decade since serial paedophile Dennis John McKenna was convicted of some of the most horrific crimes in WA's history.

But victim-survivors and advocates say they are still waiting for proper recognition of their suffering.

McKenna abused dozens of boys in the 1970s and 80s while in charge of St Andrew's Hostel, a student boarding facility in Katanning, about 290 kilometres south-east of Perth.

In August 2024, the education department agreed to demolish the former hostel site and fund $750,000 towards a memorial in Katanning.

A working group for the memorial wanted it placed in the town's all-ages playground, but the local shire blocked their request.

"We want that awareness of child sexual abuse out there to prevent it ever happening again," advocate Kaye Anderson said.

Ms Anderson said the working group was now considering placing the memorial outside Katanning, to avoid interaction with the local shire and ensure it has a prominent location.

Shire proceeding carefully

Katanning Shire President Kristy D'Aprile said the council did not want to rush the project.

"Obviously it's a really sensitive issue," she said.

"We want to make the decisions, as do the working group, to ensure the best outcome for both the victims and their families, and the community of Katanning."

Ms D'Aprile said consultation with victims still living in Katanning needed to be completed, along with state government approvals.

"We have no interest in prolonging the process or prolonging the trauma of victims who live in our community, in the Great Southern or Western Australia," she said.

"We certainly will be reaching out for an update on how the state government are progressing.

"We would like to come to a place where we can resolve our history, acknowledge our history and find a constructive way to move forward."

Waiting for local apology

The 2012 inquiry into the horrors at St Andrews Hostel, led by former Supreme Court Justice Peter Blaxell, found 11 people in Katanning were complicit in McKenna's crimes.

Justice Blaxell's findings also described McKenna as "very good at grooming the community".

The child rapist had previously been recognised as a citizen of the year in 1984 before being unmasked as a sex offender, but was not removed from the shire's honour roll until 2012.

When whistleblower Maggie Dawkins took her concerns to a local councillor, she was "rebuffed and berated" for raising the allegation against McKenna.

Both sides of WA state politics issued formal apologies in the wake of the inquiry, but the Shire of Katanning never did.

Ms Anderson said an apology was better late than never.

"How hard is it to apologise?" she asked.

Victim-survivor Todd Jefferis said the shire's failure to apologise had caused serious harm.

"I think it's disgusting. I think it's inexcusable that they have not offered a formal and a public apology to all the victims," he said.

"Not only the victims, but the families."

Mr Jefferis said it was no longer only about the abuse.

"Katanning has an opportunity there for them to turn the page and get onto something far better than this. I think the apology is a part of that."

Cr D'Aprile acknowledged the pain suffered by victims but stopped short of confirming whether she would request the council consider a formal apology.

"We acknowledge that people within our organisation, and throughout or community, let those victims down," she said.

"If it was my own personal statement, I would absolutely be offering anything whatever those victims need to assist in their healing.

"It's a very difficult position to sit in to try and apologise for actions this council had no part in a long, long time ago."

Predator to walk free

Efforts to declared McKenna a High Risk Serious Offender (HRSO) and keep him behind bars for the rest of his life fell short last month.

A court found he would be be declared an HRSO, but could be released from prison under strict conditions.

His release could happen as soon as November 17, when McKenna completes his 15-and-a-half-year sentence.

Mr Jefferis believes there are more victims out there whose accounts could keep McKenna in jail and urged them to come forward.

"It's not easy to tell someone. It's probably a really hard step to take but it is absolutely the best one you can take," he said.

"Unlike some of us boys, they are going to believe every word you say, you're going to get arms wrapped around you.

"If there's a couple lads that come out and speak now, you're going to land a massive blow on McKenna."