Former Alice Springs principal resigns from council amid child assault charges

Outspoken former Alice Springs school principal Dr Gavin Morris has resigned from town council more than six months after being charged over alleged historic aggravated assaults against multiple children.

Dr Morris said “personal and professional obstacles” to living “full-time” in Alice Springs led to his decision to leave his role in council.

“That comes with great, great sadness and regret,” he said.

“I’ve deeply enjoyed my time on council and it’s something very, very close to my heart.

In August 2024, NT Police charged Dr Morris with five counts of allegedly physically assaulting children aged between eight and 13 years old on school grounds.

Police have alleged the assaults occurred on multiple separate occasions in 2023.

He has pleaded not guilty to the charges and remains on bail.

No by-election to be called

Dr Morris was elected to Alice Springs Town Council in 2022.

Since his arrest, the 46-year-old continued to serve as councillor and appeared at all council meetings via video link.

Speaking at a council meeting on Tuesday morning, Cr Paterson said Dr Morris had informed the council of his decision on Tuesday via email and it would be effective immediately.

“His inside knowledge has been an absolute asset to our community as a member. It has been quite a progressive council and we’ve delivered a range of outcomes,” Cr Paterson said.

“I want to say thank you to Cr Morris for his time on council.”

Cr Paterson said because it was within six months of local government elections a by-election was not necessary.

“There will be a paper to council next month where we’ll have a decision to leave the position vacant … or we can appoint someone,” he said.

When asked why it took him months after charges were laid to resign, Dr Morris said he had spoken “at length” with the mayor and the council’s chief executive Andrew Wilsmore.

“At that point in time there was a keen investigation in terms of what’s best for the council, what’s best for the community, and what’s best for me.

“I’m not going to go into timelines but I’ve been speaking with Matt personally and professionally since August.”

School contract terminated

It comes after the 46-year-old was terminated from his role as Yipirinya School principal late last year, months after charges were laid.

Yipirinya School, an independent school for Indigenous children, previously confirmed Dr Morris’ contract ended in November after his NT teacher registration was suspended.

Dr Morris, who was appointed principal of Yipirinya School in 2021, was stood down on full pay by the school following his arrest, according to the then-NT education minister.

He said he could not comment on his termination from the school because it was “still with legal proceedings”.

“[I’m] certainly very keen to continue my relationship with all the community there and I’ve got great community support.”

According to NT Courts, Dr Morris’ bail conditions as of February required him to not be within 50 metres of Yipirinya School or “directly or indirectly” approach a number of witnesses.

Dr Morris said he has been staying with family in Queensland but would not go into detail about when he moved.

“I won’t go into the ins and outs publicly,” he said.

“My primary residence was certainly in Alice Springs well after the charges were laid.

“It has come to pass that I won’t be returning in the short-term.”

Dr Morris is due to appear again in court on April 17.