How Joanne Curtis Became Chris Dawson's 'Teacher's Pet'
Jess Pullar
1 hour ago
The disappearance of Lyn Dawson was a case that gripped Australia, and the relationship between her husband Chris Dawson and his 16-year-old schoolgirl lover Joanne Curtis is at the centre of the mystery.
Now, 36 years on, the answers are unravelling.
Renewed interest in the case has flared up due to a new podcast called The Teacher's Pet - a deep dive into the unsolved mystery.
The podcast itself has generated so much interest that it's now one of the most popular true-crime podcasts ever produced.
A Current Affair tracked down Joanne and tried to speak with her about the case. Some of Joanne's schoolmates were also interviewed, telling ACA they believe she was groomed by Dawson.
We're hungry for more clarity on the disappearance, but before that, we've taken a step back to investigate the intriguing relationship between Chris and Joanne.
How did Chris and Joanne's relationship start?
Chris was a sports teacher at Sydney's Cromer High School. It was here that he singled out one of his Year 11 students, Joanne Curtis, for special attention. The 16-year-old had a troubled life at her mother's home in Dee Why where her stepfather was violent and a drunk.
Her tough life at home made Joanne vulnerable, but as her teacher, Chris was a protective presence for the young schoolgirl. Curtis became a babysitter for Chris and Lyn's two children, meaning the pair were often in close quarters, and it was around this time that they entered into a sexual relationship.
Schoolmates of Joanne's have recently spoken to media about Chris's inappropriate relationships with students. One student, Michelle Walsh, told A Current Affair that Chris had also groomed her.
"I feel that I had definitely been put in a position when I looked at how I felt about him, how comfortable I was in his company," she said.