Media Release - State of Tasmania and Stephen Fane Noga (Noga) liable to pay a total of $1,644,817.02 in damages to a former student
Justice Estcourt of the Tasmanian Supreme Court today found the State of Tasmania and Stephen Fane Noga (Noga) liable to pay a total of $1,644,817.02 in damages to a former student whom Noga sexually abused while he was a teacher in 1981 at the then Hobart Matriculation College.
Justice Estcourt found that the State was vicariously liable for a rape that had occurred whilst the Plaintiff was Noga’s student and, even though further abuse followed, His Honour said:
“…it is far more probable than not that the rape of the Plaintiff was the fundamental disturbance during the developmental years of her personality that led to her psychiatric disorders”.
This sum included aggravated damages of $150,000. Justice Estcourt said that this award should take into account the conduct of Noga’s case which involved assertions by him that the Plaintiff was perjuring herself with a view to fraudulently obtaining compensation. The sum of $200,000 by way of exemplary damages was awarded against Noga personally.
Justice Estcourt said, “No criminal punishment has been inflicted on the Second Defendant in this case and there can be no doubt that his actions involved a shocking, deliberate and intentional disregard of the Plaintiff’s rights. His conduct warrants a substantial award of exemplary damages that both punishes the defendant and acts as a deterrent to him and others, but also demonstrates the Court’s disapprobation and denunciation.”
Shortly prior to the trial, the Plaintiff was diagnosed with a severe neurological disorder as a result of which she has a shortened life expectancy and, during the trial, she experienced difficulties in speaking and required the use of a wheelchair.
Notwithstanding her significant disabilities, the Plaintiff was subjected to a brutal cross examination over 5 days by Noga’s barrister with the State’s barrister then choosing to cross examine her over a further day and a half. In total, the trial took 22 days.
We honour our client’s perseverance and determination in fighting a case where the money will make little difference to her remaining time. It was a question of seeing justice in her lifetime which she feels that she has achieved not just for herself but for all survivors of abuse.
Even though the money was not the motivating factor for the Plaintiff, she feels that the award appropriately recognises the damage that was done to her and should hopefully sound a warning bell to the State and individual perpetrators about the importance of protecting children in the education system and beyond.
Ms Sdrinis observed the fundamental importance of our common law system is that it punishes bad behaviour and, by doing so, is a powerful motivator for positive change.
Angela Sdrinis and Ellen FitzGerald ran the case for the Plaintiff alongside our brilliant counsel team of Bruce McTaggart KC and Regina Weiss.
For further information please contact Angela Sdrinis on 0419 359 560 or Ellen FitzGerald on (03) 9491 6050.
Angela Sdrinis Legal
20 April 2026