David Bonython-Wright, 57, of Bridgewater, Adelaide, has pleaded not guilty to unlawful sexual intercourse and indecent assault.

Bonython-Wright recently returned to the region to speak at public events and sporting clubs, and to help residents through the third anniversary of the Black Saturday bushfires.

He was invited by the recovery group Building Community Wellness Locally, which has funded most of his regular visits, usually for special events. BCWL received Victorian Bushfire Recovery funding to run programs and events in bushfire-affected communities across Nillumbik, including Strathewen.

BCWL member Larry Challis said Bonython-Wright had told him and a small number of other community members of the charges before his latest visit earlier this month.

Mr Challis said he had not made the charges known in the area, nor had he considered cancelling Bonython-Wright’s visit.

‘‘I’m happy for the legal processes to be gone through,’’ he said.

The offences allegedly occurred in 1985 in South Australia. Bonython-Wright faced the Adelaide Magistrates Court in August 2010, but his identity was automatically suppressed under South Australian law. The 16-month suppression was lifted in December 2011 by a District Court judge after a media challenge.

A trial date has not been set and the case will be heard again on February 24 at the Adelaide District Court.

Bonython-Wright has visited the Whittlesea area about 10 times since the bushfires, usually staying for one to two weeks.

Ivan Peterson, secretary of Whittlesea Ministries Inc, which auspices BCWL, said much of Bonython-Wright’s work for BCWL had been in group situations. He believed all of the work had been with adults.

Mr Peterson, who said he had not known of the charges, said Bonython-Wright had held workshops with staff, such as teachers at Whittlesea College, to help them manage bushfire-affected students.