Join us for our end of year HCV Friends and Board gathering as our presenters explore 'High School, My School – Reflections on Public Education and Democracy'

Professor Joy Damousi, Balwyn High School and Australian Catholic University

Emeritus Professor Graeme Davison, Essendon High School and Monash University

Emeritus Professor Peter Gronn, Camberwell High School and Monash University

A century and half after the passage of Victoria’s ‘free, compulsory and secular’ Education Act, the democratic hopes of its makers remain unfulfilled. Although the 1872 Act established state schools for primary age children there were no state high schools until 1910 and it was only after World War Two that high schools providing a path from primary school to university opened all over the state. The three speakers, high school students in, respectively, the 1950s, 60s and 70s, were among those to benefit from that remarkable expansion of opportunity. Since the 1980s, however, high schools have lost ground as government funding has swung towards independent schools. They have become the poor relations, lower in resources, prestige and morale. In this informal conversation, Joy, Graeme and Peter reflect on their personal experience, celebrate what their schools and teachers gave them, and take up some of the questions now raised by critics of ‘meritocracy’. What has become of the hopes that democrats once rested in state education as a path to social opportunity and equality? Was their vision flawed or is it yet to be realised?  

This special event is for HCV Friends, guests and the HCV Board and will be held in person at the Drill Hall, RHSV, 239 A'Beckett St Melbourne. Drinks and light refreshments will be served.

If you are not yet an HCV Friend, we would love you to join us! Click HERE to find out more.