I Was There!

Who established the VCE?

Quadrant’s writers and readers are an aware group, and many of them in their lives have been minor players in the dramas that end up being called history. I suspect many are like me and from time to time are shocked when what congeals (yes, there is sometimes blood) or just becomes the publicly accepted version, is an inaccurate report. One such was the statement often made earlier this year, after her death, that “Joan Kirner established the VCE”. I was there! Where was she?

I had retired after six years or so as Director General of Agriculture, but was retained by the Cain government and John Kerin in federal Primary Industry as a sort of handyman. Just after lunch one day I had a phone call. “David, it’s Ian Cathie here.” (Ian was Victoria’s Minister for Education. We had met occasionally, so it was “David” and “Ian”.) “I’ve talked to some of my colleagues and we think you would be a suitable person to start up VCAB.” That didn’t stir any brain cells—was it to do with taxis? I didn’t want to show my ignorance so my answer was, “I’ve got a bit on, Ian, but it could work out. I’ll think about it and call you in an hour.”

I called a friend in education. He explained that VCAB was to be the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Board, a proposed new body to reshape Years 11 and 12 with a new certificate, the VCE, to replace the HSC. My informant suggested there were controversial issues and powerful influences. Dr Margaret Blackwood had done a report that would be a guide to the new body. It was also to take over some important functions of VISE (the Victorian Institute of Secondary Education) such as operating the end-of-secondary-school exams. VCAB would make changes in Years 11 and 12 to rationalise the myriad of subject offerings, and review the interface with universities.

I phoned Ian Cathie and told him I would be happy to take on the project. We met and he briefed me on the position, which included work on legalities and regulations as needed. Thus I was appointed interim chairman and CEO, to take office on July 1, 1986. That day, at 9 a.m., I set about my work in an office in St Kilda Road, appointing staff and beginning other duties. On advice I enlisted the wonderful (late) Win McDonnell as my right-hand administrator. I had a number of meetings with Ian Cathie and some discussions with others, including the Premier, John Cain, who showed interest in how things were going. I held a DipEd and MEdAdmin, had some good connections in education, and was able to ensure the formation of a representative board, balancing the powers of teacher unions and other education bodies.

My task included in due course helping in the search for a permanent chair/CEO, and an appointment was made three months later. When I handed over, Ian and I discussed progress and were pleased—but we agreed we must try to keep the vandals (I shall not name them here, but leave readers to guess) out.

Joan Kirner was no doubt involved in the earlier government discussions about need for change, and had commissioned the Blackwood report that addressed the matter, but I do not remember her ever being present at meetings or showing any interest in my task. History should acknowledge the important role of others, especially Ian Cathie. We were there!

Who founded the Australian Democrats?

How many times have I read, “Don Chipp founded the Australian Democrats”? And how many times I have written making sure the author was better informed! In fact Don came late, after years of tough work by others. To suggest he was the founder is inaccurate.

In the years 1966 to 1968 restlessness in the community resulted in several new political groups forming in different states, eventually coming together as the nationwide Australia Party under the leadership of Gordon Barton, who was called the National Convenor. There were state leaders, and in 1969 I was elected Victorian Convenor, holding office until late 1973, when I moved to Tasmania to work. In Victoria we slowly built support and recruited some good people as candidates, such as John Siddons and Sid Spindler, who both later became Democrat senators. (This period was covered by Tony Blackshield in a Current Affairs Bulletin in July 1972.)

I knew Don Chipp well, and on several occasions in 1972 and 1973, while he was still a prominent federal Liberal member, we talked seriously over dinner about him joining the Australia Party—perhaps, as much as anything waiting for a good “when” rather than “if’’. In the event this was in 1977, when he made an announcement in the House of Representatives. I had been advised beforehand of the event so I was there, and joined in the celebratory supper.

A decision had been made to change the name of the Australia Party to the Australian Democrats—a simple name change. The party had branches in all mainland states and had competed in a number of state as well as national elections. Don was to be described as the Parliamentary Leader—he had no administrative role. He certainly did not found anything. At a stretch one might say that he formed the Democrats, but bear in mind the previous decade of effort by hundreds of loyal members.

I have a thick folder of copies of letters I have sent to well-known commentators and columnists—with repeats—and I worry about their writing of history to suit their point of view.

Yes, I was there! I’m sure many other readers have examples of history being a story made up by media people too lazy to research and revise.