A former mayor who campaigned for the homeless for many years on the New South Wales Central Coast has been charged with multiple child sex offences dating back four decades.

Key points: Laurie Maher is accused of multiple child sex offences dating back four decades

Laurie Maher is accused of multiple child sex offences dating back four decades The 81-year-old is one of the most high-profile community leaders on the NSW Central Coast.

The 81-year-old is one of the most high-profile community leaders on the NSW Central Coast. It is alleged he sexually abused six boys between 1977 and 1988 at the Mount Penang Training School near Gosford

Laurence 'Laurie' Joseph Maher, 81, is the ninth person to be charged as part of a police investigation into alleged historical abuse at a Central Coast boy's home near Gosford and similar facilities across the state in the late 1970s and 1980s.

The former independent Mayor of Gosford City Council was a superintendent at the Mount Penang Training School, and is accused of sexually abusing six boys between 1977 and 1988.

Mr Maher has been charged with 13 offences, including four counts of buggery, three counts of indecent assault on male and six counts of sexual assault knowing no consent not given.

He did not attend when his case was heard before Penrith Local Court this week.

There was an attempt to have a non-publication order placed on matter but it was refused by Magistrate Margaret McGlynn.

Extensive career in public life

Mr Maher was elected to council in 2004 and served as mayor between 2007 until his retirement in 2014.

He founded local homelessness service Coast Shelter and was its chief executive for 25 years until 2018.

The 81-year-old has received numerous accolades, including an Order Of Australia in 2010 for his service to the community through welfare and local government organisations.

Coast Shelter has expressed dismay at the charges laid against Mr Maher, emphasising he is no longer associated with the organisation.



Ninth charge for police taskforce

Strike Force Eckersley was set up in 2016 following a series of complaints made to the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.

The Mount Penang Training School was established in the 1940s as a government reformatory facility for teenage offenders.

It was linked to the now-defunct Daruk Training School in Windsor, which is at the centre of the majority of abuse allegations under investigation by police.

Mr Maher's case has been adjourned, to return to Penrith Local Court on June 19.