I felt like suing my expensive school

BILL Lawson’s excellent opinion article (Talking Point, May 28) triggered memories of my childhood education that I’m still fuming over. I left school in Melbourne in 1960 after spending eight years at a ridiculously expensive private school, which cost my mother dearly. History as taught then dealt mostly with kings and queens of England (of whom I cared/care little) and Australia’s early explorers. At no stage did the First Australians get a mention and it wasn’t until my early 20s on a trip to Queensland when passing through Goondiwindi that I even laid eyes on several of them.

My cloistered life in Melbourne had insulated me entirely and it was only since I escaped to Tasmania 18 years ago that I took the time to study our early Tasmanian history. On reading works of Lyndall Ryan, Henry Reynolds and others, I was horrified to learn of the treatment meted out to our First Australians, so much so that I felt I should sue my school for the shortcomings in its curriculum. I’ve since learnt on travels to former colonies that such treatment was almost the standard practice of the colonising British and their actions should be deplored, not celebrated as they were in my school days. I recommend all Tasmanians make themselves familiar with this island’s history, and reflect on how they can bring about meaningful reconciliation for the wrongs of the past. If you haven’t ventured there already, be prepared to be shocked and ashamed. Graham McLean, honorary treasurer Reconciliation Council of Tasmania