Wodonga sex offence detectives charged Vincent Reynolds, now in his mid-70s and living in a small town in the state's north-east, with 99 indecent assaults against 38 of his former students who ranged from prep-aged to grade six. 

Police allege the offences, which mostly occurred in classrooms at various state schools, happened over Mr Reynolds' 32-year career and began at his very first school in 1960.

He worked at the school, in a tiny township near Ballarat, for less than two weeks before he moved on, beginning a pattern in which he shifted from school to school around Ballarat.

He travelled to the state's north-east in 1975 and taught at almost 15 schools over the course of his career.

It's understood a complaint was made to the education department in 1980 when he was working near Wodonga. He was sent to a local psychiatric ward for treatment and, after he was discharged, continued

Another allegation, which he denied, was made to school heads in 1988 when Mr Reynolds was deputy principal and librarian at Beechworth primary. He stayed on at the school until his resignation in 1992.

The reasons for his resignation cannot legally be disclosed.

Mr Reynolds is living near Yackandandah with his wife, an Order of Australia medallist, and the couple have been involved with the local historical society and town museum. 

He was charged on summons to face a magistrates court on October 17.