On 7 June 2023, I wrote to the Headmaster Andrew Hawkins, not only as a former student of The Southport School (TSS) but as someone who has carried the weight of trauma for decades.
TSS, a school that prides itself on being an institution of Anglican values, failed to protect me when I needed it most.
The values of care, respect, and integrity that the school and the Anglican Church preach were nowhere to be found when I was subjected to abuse under their watch, nor throughout the years of my legal case.
This post is not just a recounting of what happened to me. It’s a call for accountability. TSS must acknowledge its role in allowing abuse to occur within its walls.
My hope is that by sharing this, more survivors will find the strength to speak up and that institutions like TSS will no longer be able to turn a blind eye to the harm inflicted on those in their care.
My Letter - 7 June 2022
Dear Headmaster,
I attended The Southport School (TSS), from 1992 – 1996, in Thorold House (Tho), as did my brothers, Ben and James Swoboda before me.
My Grandfather, William Neil Douglas, attended TSS from 1931-1933, as did his sons William and Jeremy Douglas.
The Douglas’s and TSS share a rich history spanning generations. Relationships that hold true, even today, looking at the list of The Dixon Society’s found members.
I realise Headmaster, none of this is new information to you. Being a founding member yourself and having studied, prayed and played with a few Douglas’s back in the day (Year of 1995). In fact, one could describe your career with TSS as the one-man faculty. What with the resume boasting such positions as Head of the Health and Physical Education Department, a Boarding Housemaster, Dean of Student and Deputy Headmaster.
If anyone didn’t find that to be an astounding feat in succession climbing, as Headmaster, you are intrinsically bound to the school’s governing body, your master’s, the Diocesan Council.
It must instil an enormous sense of confidence, that those selected to join you on this Council, are fellow active Anglicans. It must be like being part of what some would describe as traditional strong family unit. Consisting of the five TSS Old Boys (two former Head Boys), one Brisbane Boys College graduate, and two, seemingly well qualified, ladies. To no one’s surprise whatsoever, they matriculated at St Hilda’s and Penleigh and Essendon Grammar School, respectively.
The level of assurance provided to prospective enrolee’s is truly pearl clutching, as the members disclose their own children’s institutional enrolment choice.
It’s the pitch that never ends. TSS has undoubtedly achieved a top shelf status. It amasses significant wealth and sizable property portfolios. TSS aligns and partners with the ‘right’ Investors, ‘right’ Leaders, ‘right’ Directors, ‘right’ CEOs and even the ‘right’ products.
It’s through these very well-tended relationships that TSS, more accurately, the Corporation of the Synod of the Diocese of Brisbane (Diocese of Brisbane) enjoys such a prestigious, unquestionable and bankable reputation.
Headmaster, what would you calculate a reputation, like the one TSS has, to be worth?
I am of the opinion TSS does not sell a successful lifestyle.
TSS nurtures those they deem ‘right’, for they will remain a lifetime.
From my experience, from what I have witnessed the Diocese of Brisbane and TSS simply and deliberately will not acknowledge those that may bring the school into disrepute.
Like many survivors, the abuse experienced under the protection of the Diocese of Brisbane run schools, has had a profound impact on the lives of many spanning decades.
Since making TSS, by way of a personal injuries claim to the Corporation of the Synod of the Diocese of Brisbane on 21 May 2021, there has been no help or guidance in dealing with the aftermath of the abuse.
A settlement was finalised on 15 May 2023. It was agreed and acknowledged that the settlement was made without any admission of liability by, or on behalf of, TSS, by way of the Corporation of the Synod of the Diocese of Brisbane.
I declined their offer of an apology.
While I understand that there are very limited avenues survivors can purse to hold institutions like the Diocese of Brisbane to account, I want TSS to know what happened to me and how that school knowingly allowed it to continue.
Pictured below (photos from 1995 & 1996 Biddle House - Southportonians) Is Stephen John Curtis (CURTIS).
Headmaster, 1995 was your senior year at TSS. I was in year 11. You were School Vice-Captain, a sporting legend. I was being groomed and sexually abused by CURTIS all the while being relentlessly bullied by the majority of the boarding the population. Do you remember?
On 15 May 2023, the day my claim settled it was disclosed that, in 1995, there were multiple complaints made by students and their parents regarding inappropriate sexual behaviour by CURTIS towards students. It was stated CURTIS was spoken to about the incidents however no official reports were lodged to authorities. CURTIS’s employment at TSS was terminated in 1997 (the year after I graduated).
It was advised that CURTIS’s employee file was damaged due to flooding and the reason for the CURTIS being fired was unclear, however it was stipulated that it had nothing to do with any of the reports of sexual misconduct with students.
TSS knowingly allowed CURTIS to continue to sexually abuse students.
Pictured below is what I located via open-source internet searches.
Employed in Malaysia at school.
A publish Children’s book author
Book launch: Tujal and the Wind
Book Trailer: ‐
I was not surprised to learn that there is little support available for former students who have experienced sexual abuse at while attending TSS.
It is deeply troubling to me that TSS does not have a system in place to provide resources or assistance to those who have been affected by this type of trauma.
Why are the Abused Old Boys of TSS not provided with any support or allocated any resources.
No offers of counselling services.
No attempt to create a safe and supportive environment for survivors to share their stories.
Not even thoughts or prayers.
Faith will always remain unproven as it is not supported by fact.
Sincerely
John Swoboda
The Headmaster's response 1 August 2022
After many years of silence, my decision to reach out to The Southport School (TSS) following the settlement of my claim was met with a response that I believe reflects the broader issue survivors of abuse often face—acknowledgment, but little meaningful action.
Below is the response I received from the headmaster, Andrew Hawkins:
On the surface, this response might seem conciliatory, even offering support in the form of counseling.
However, the language used—"now that your claim has settled," and "the issues of the past are not within my power to change"—reflects the institution's ongoing reluctance to fully take responsibility for the pain caused.
While the letter offers a meeting, it skirts around the deeper systemic issues that allowed this abuse to persist for so long.
It is this avoidance of true accountability that I, and many survivors, continue to fight against.
A Request for Transparency, Met with Evasion
In a recent email, I reached out to the headmaster of TSS Andrew Hawkins, seeking detailed information about the Dixon Society and various financial and charitable entities associated with the school.
My goal was to ensure the accuracy of the information shared on my blog, My Well Rounded Education, and to gain clarity about the school's historical ties and financial structures. Moreover, I was wanting to know if there was anything, anything at all, historically, present or future, fundraising with the Old Boys & their families in mind - to help them?
My email below:
Below is a summary of the headmaster's response, which reveals a pattern of deflection rather than clear answers to my questions.
The significant changes TSS, and other institutions, have implemented regarding child safety, training of staff & reporting obligations provide current and future students a level of assurance, so many never had, Though I cannot help but wonder if it was not for the Royal Commission, would the sweeping framework changes and transparent policies have been implemented on their own?
In my inquiry, I asked about the specific business and charity entities linked to TSS, including the Dixon Society. I also sought clarification on the formation, objectives, and roles of the Dixon Society members, as well as any disclosable historical records. Additionally, I requested information on how the Dixon Society has impacted TSS over the years and any ongoing activities related to it.
Andrew Hawkins' response, however, largely sidestepped these questions.
While he acknowledged my queries regarding the Dixon Guardian Trust, he offered little concrete information beyond stating that the OSA is embarking on a strategic fundraising journey, with many trusts likely to become redundant.
He assured me that any decisions would be communicated to the community, but there was no direct response to the specific inquiries I had raised regarding the history, purpose, and current state of the Dixon Society and related financial entities.
The headmaster’s response also included a request for me to remove images of students from my blog, citing discomfort about their use. While this concern is understandable, it further distracted from the central issue of transparency around TSS's financial and charitable practices.
Images has been removed. I respectfully apologise to those students & to you Headmaster, for the state of unease.
I note the image in question is the very same one used on a billboard display located on Ferry Road & linked to a marketing campaign.
It also appeared, on the Headmaster's email banner contained in his correspondence to me on 1 August 2022.
Below is a version (some faces have been altered).
Ultimately, this exchange reflects a broader issue: the school’s reluctance to provide clear and direct answers to legitimate questions. The lack of substantive information raises concerns about accountability and transparency within TSS, particularly when it comes to its financial dealings and historical associations.
For me, it's a troubling pattern, especially given the ongoing efforts to hold the school accountable for past wrongs and the need for transparency in the present.
Despite my efforts to seek clarity and answers from TSS, it has become painfully clear that the institution continues to turn a blind eye to the harm it has caused.
My questions remain unanswered.
On 5 November 2024 - The Headmaster and the OSA were emailed the following:
I'll update this post if any response is received.
A quick read. Well done pursuing a legal claim.