A second former student has commenced Supreme Court proceedings against The Rockhampton Grammar School, alleging she was sexually abused by former music teacher Arnoud Prins Wilson during the early 1980s. 

The proceedings follow the case of former student Rachel Downie, whose claim attracted widespread media coverage in early 2025 and prompted her lawyers, Travis Schultz & Partners, to publicly appeal for anyone with information or similar experiences involving Mr Wilson to come forward. 

The Statement of Claim alleges that the media coverage caused the plaintiff to recall the grooming and abuse she says she experienced as a Year 12 student, aggravating her psychiatric injuries. It further claims the plaintiff’s experiences were not isolated, identifying seven other former students who allegedly experienced or witnessed similar conduct involving Mr Wilson during the same period.

According to the claim, the plaintiff was allegedly groomed by Mr Wilson over a period of approximately two years through private music lessons, rehearsals, performances and other school music activities while attending the elite Central Queensland private school before she was subjected to exposure abuse.

The plaintiff said she hoped sharing her experience would encourage young people to recognise grooming behaviours and speak up if something didn’t feel right.

“If a teacher is buying you alcohol, encouraging you to skip classes, sharing inappropriate details about their personal life or making you feel ‘special’, those aren’t signs of friendship or trust – they’re warning signs. If something feels wrong or makes you uncomfortable, trust your instincts and tell someone,” the plaintiff said.

“Schools – particularly boarding schools – have a fundamental responsibility to protect the children in their care. When warning signs are ignored or complaints about a teacher’s behaviour aren’t acted on, there must be accountability. Children deserve to know they will be believed, protected and kept safe.

“I want every young person, especially young women, to know that speaking up has power. Even if it takes 40 years, it’s never too late. If sharing my experience helps even one young person recognise inappropriate behaviour or gives another survivor the courage to come forward, then something positive can come from what happened to me.”

The claim alleges the plaintiff’s trust in her teacher was shattered, causing her to withdraw from school life, fail Year 12, transfer schools to distance herself from the trauma, and ultimately lose the opportunity to pursue an intended career in music, law or architecture. It further alleges that she continues to suffer significant psychological injuries more than 40 years later, including adjustment disorder, anxiety and depression, together with ongoing pain and suffering and impaired earning capacity as a result of the alleged abuse.

The proceedings allege The Rockhampton Grammar School is legally responsible for the conduct of its employee and failed to protect students from a foreseeable risk of abuse. It alleges multiple members of staff became aware of complaints or concerning incidents involving Mr Wilson, but the school failed to report his alleged conduct to police or other relevant authorities, failed to adequately investigate those complaints, and failed to safeguard students from foreseeable risks of sexual abuse.

Personal injury lawyer Travis Schultz OAM said the commencement of a second civil proceeding represented a significant development.

“The alleged conduct of the former music teacher at The Rockhampton Grammar School through 1984 and 1985 has already been well publicised, but if anyone has information relating to these events, we encourage them to come forward,” Mr Schultz said.

“The allegations now before the Court suggest the alleged conduct may have affected a number of former students who attended the school during that period.

“The impact of child sexual abuse, particularly within a school setting, is often lifelong. Many victim survivors continue to experience significant challenges with their mental health, relationships, education and career pathways decades after the abuse is alleged to have occurred.

“For those seeking justice, proceedings like these are about far more than compensation. They are about acknowledgment, accountability and recognition of the lasting harm alleged to have been caused by a failure to protect vulnerable children. 

“Coming forward takes significant courage, and these claims reflect a growing understanding that the consequences of childhood sexual abuse are enduring, cumulative and deserving of justice.”

The Statement of Claim was filed in the Rockhampton Registry of the Supreme Court of Queensland on 23 June 2026. The Rockhampton Grammar School has not yet filed a Notice of Intention to Defend.

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