Victoria’s Department of Health is reaching out to families and recommending tests for infectious diseases as part of an ongoing investigation into an alleged sex offender.
The authorities are working to contact the families whose children attended four additional Melbourne childcare centres where Joshua Dale Brown was employed.
Brown has been charged with over 70 sex offences against eight alleged victims younger than two at a centre in Point Cook, Melbourne, between April 2022 and January 2023.
New Childcare Centres Identified
The newly listed locations, all operated by Affinity Education, include Kids Academy Waratah Estate in Mickleham, as well as Milestones Early Learning centres in Tarneit, Greensborough, and Braybrook.
Police believe Brown has worked at 23 childcare centres between January 2017 and May 2025.
Victoria’s Chief Health Officer Dr Christian McGrath said the department was contacting around 830 families to offer support and provide testing recommendations.
Low Risk of Infectious Disease
“This is obviously a highly distressing situation, and I want to reassure all families being contacted that the potential exposure risk to an infectious disease for their child remains low,” McGrath said.
McGrath added that the diseases being tested for can be treated with antibiotics, and there remains no wider public health risk.
Earlier Allegations and Systemic Failures
It was revealed that Brown was the subject of two separate internal investigations at G8 Education, both unrelated to sexual abuse and occurring after the alleged incidents he has been charged over.
One parent, Melody Glaister, whose daughter attended the Creative Garden Early Learning Centre Point Cook during Brown’s employment, said she was “furious” to learn of the earlier abuse allegations.
Glaister believe that if the appropriate action had been taken, hundreds of parents wouldn’t be in the same situation today.
Rapid Child Safety Review
Victoria’s acting premier Jaclyn Symes said the rapid child safety review would consider if a complaint or allegation should trigger the permit to be suspended or cancelled.
Symes declined to comment on why Brown was allowed to continue working with children, citing the ongoing police investigation.
Readers seeking support can ring Lifeline crisis support on 13 11 14 or text 0477 13 11 14, Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467, and Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800 (for young people aged 5 to 25).
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