It’s a photograph that for two friends, and possibly many others, marks the end of childhood innocence.
Dozens of teenage boys stand uneasily in the central Victorian bush, having been instructed by their teachers to undress and wear just long military coats and boots over their naked bodies.
Alan Whitcher (left) and David Sheppard allege they were sexually abused as teenagers on Mentone Grammar cadet camps in the 1970s.Credit:Wayne Taylor
It was winter 1977 and David Sheppard and Alan Whitcher, who met at the start of the year as year 9 students, were at Mentone Grammar’s cadet camp at Puckapunyal with their classmates, boys aged 14 and 15.
The pair’s friendship has lasted 45 years, but so too has the trauma they say they have suffered since shortly after the photograph of the boys in the bush was taken on the first day of camp.
Mr Sheppard and Mr Whitcher allege they were sexually abused by Mentone Grammar teachers when they and other boys were told to stand shoulder to shoulder while multiple teachers did a “short-arm inspection” – a euphemism for the medical routine formerly conducted in the military to check soldiers’ genitals for STDs. The “inspection”, the men said, was never raised with the boys’ families beforehand.
Now both 59, the friends are suing their former school, seeking an acknowledgement, apology and damages. A writ filed on Mr Sheppard’s behalf with the Supreme Court alleges he was sexually abused from the front and behind in separate offences.
Alan Whitcher says this photograph shows him and other boys at the cadet camp, before the alleged abuse.
“I can remember 20 or so quivering, frightened, skinny young boys waiting to be abused,” Mr Sheppard told The Age.
“I still remember the kid next to me, sobbing, waiting for his turn … we just had to take our turn.”
Mr Whitcher, whose lawyers are to file a similar writ and who has identified himself in the 1977 photograph, said he was abused by one teacher after initially refusing to open his coat, and that he recently spoke to another former classmate who recalled being physically dragged from his tent to the line.
“It was [considered] a ritual passage for boys becoming men … ‘man up and accept it’,” he said.
“They took it upon themselves out of arrogance, out of control, while the whole environment was isolated.”
The friends recall about 10 men – either teachers “dressed up” in military gear or church figures from the area – were present during the alleged abuse, either directly involved or watching.
Afterwards, the friends recall, the boys felt betrayed and humiliated, but discussing the incident was “taboo” for the rest of the 10-day camp and when they returned home to their families.
“None of us wanted to talk about it because it was so shameful,” Mr Sheppard said.
“And I think they [the teachers] knew that too. We were young boys, and they did it just to exploit us sexually.”
Mr Sheppard alleges he was also abused at cadet camps in 1978 and 1979 when aged 15 and 16. He said he experienced pangs of dread during sleepless nights before each camp.
Mr Whitcher said he was so anxious before the 1978 camp he asked if his friend’s sister, then a registered nurse, could help.
“She didn’t ask why, she may have had her suspicions … she put a plaster cast on my arm,” he said.
“That was the only exemption you could get to get out of the cadet camp. I was so relieved. I stopped wetting the bed, I was able to function.” He gained an exemption through his sporting talents to avoid the 1979 camp.
Mr Sheppard, a retired police officer, and Mr Whitcher, an ambulance paramedic educator, said they were ready to recall their ordeals in court if necessary.
Shine Lawyers said both men had been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder and other mental health problems directly related to the abuse.
Mr Sheppard said the ordeal changed him from a lively boy to a reserved and jumpy teen who became an at times bitter man who considered suicide.
“Someone needs to speak out” over what happened, he said, to address what his writ alleges was a breach of care by his former school to its students.
Some teachers on the camps have since died, but Mr Whitcher said he found it galling the school honoured those men for their careers.
“You think, ‘What a load of shit’ knowing they were sexual predators … that got to me and I thought I can’t have this ebbing and flowing in my life all the time,” he said.
“It just started a flame in me that hasn’t subsided. I want justice for it.”
Mentone Grammar is yet to file a response to the court and in a statement didn’t say whether it would contest the men’s allegations. It declined a request for an interview.
Acting principal Jarrod O’Neill said in the statement: “We abhor any past situations that have created any kind of student abuse and want to express our most sincere apologies for any historical failings.
“We stand ready to provide pastoral support, including assistance with counselling, to any affected student.”
Mr O’Neill said the allegations were being investigated, but it was inappropriate to comment further.
Sara Kaurin, a senior associate in abuse law at Shine, said Mr Sheppard and Mr Whitcher hoped the school acknowledged the pain inflicted on them and other former students.
“Our clients have shown great courage in coming forward to seek compensation for the abuse they suffered,” Ms Kaurin said.
“Since doing so, more former students have contacted us to speak out and seek compensation for themselves, which has only strengthened our clients’ resolve to seek justice for what happened.”
If you or anyone you know needs support, you can contact the National Sexual Assault, Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service on 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732), Lifeline 131 114, or Beyond Blue 1300 224 636.
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