Alice Springs Town Councillor, Gavin Morris, has resigned from the organisation, six months after the former school principal was charged with alleged historical aggravated assaults against multiple children.
Elected in 2022 at a by-election, Councillor Morris (pictured) has served as a member of the Council’s Sports Facilities Advisory Committee, ASTC and Lhere Artepe Aboriginal Corporation Partnership Committee and ASTC and Tangentyere Council Steering Committee.
The 46-year-old was terminated from his role as Yipirinya School principal late last year, three months after Northern Territory Police charged him with five counts of alleged physical assault on children aged between eight and 13 years old on school grounds in 2023.
The school is the largest Indigenous school in Central Australia, with around 380 students enrolled.
He has pleaded not guilty to all charges and is currently on bail.
In a statement following his resignation yesterday, Mayor, Matt Paterson thanked Cr Morris for his service.
“I’d like to thank Gavin for his contribution to the 14th Alice Springs Town Council, his knowledge and insight has been an asset for our community,” Mayor Matt Paterson said.
“This Council has been one of progress an innovation and has achieved a range of amazing outcomes for Alice Springs. That will continue now as we drive our community forward towards an exciting future.”
With the resignation coming within six months of a local government election, there is no requirement for Council to fill the vacancy, the Mayor said.
Cr Morris is due to next appear in court on 17 April.
