The photo of the 1973 Grade 4 class of St Alipius’ Christian Brothers School in Ballarat should have been a nostalgic reminder of happy childhood memories. However, for Philip Nagle, it represents the heart-wrenching tragedy of a community torn apart by monstrous acts of child abuse. Looking at the image today, instead of experiencing joy, he is plagued by feelings of sorrow and anger.
According to Nagle, out of the 33 pupils pictured, 12 of them later took their own lives due to the devastating sexual and physical abuse they endured at the school. Despite the pain, Nagle is determined that the memory of his deceased classmates will not be forgotten. As one of the first individuals called to testify at the Royal Commission on Institutional Child Sex Abuse, Nagle pleaded for a minute of silence to honor his fallen friends.
Nagle’s hope now lies in more people coming forward to expose the heinous crimes committed at St Alipius. He believes that the more classmates who share their stories, the fewer lives will be lost to suicide in the future. Tragically, some of Nagle’s classmates indirectly succumbed to their trauma, battling alcoholism and drug abuse for years before reaching a breaking point.
The notorious abusers, such as Gerald Ridsdale, Robert Best, and Edward Dowlan, were part of a pedophile ring that operated at St Alipius’ and St Patrick’s College. Nagle himself was repeatedly assaulted by Stephen Farrell, a Christian Brother at the school. Unfortunately, Farrell’s crimes went largely unnoticed as other offenders stole the spotlight. Farrell received a mere two-year and three-month suspended sentence, while victims like Nagle were left grappling with the injustice.
Nagle is aware of other victims of Farrell but has been warned by the police not to actively seek them out or disclose their names. He has spoken to a few, but many are not ready to confront their past. The trauma inflicted on Nagle at St Alipius’ remains deeply etched in his psyche. The abuse he suffered as a nine-year-old at the hands of Farrell was overpowering, leaving him with no chance of escape.
The perpetrators, priests, and Christian Brothers, were revered figures in society, seemingly untouchable in their black robes. The intensity of the abuse endured by Nagle and his classmates over a year-long period left them terrorized and shattered their lives. Nagle’s ongoing struggle for justice continues, as he sees suspended sentences for these crimes as wholly unacceptable.
Nagle’s sentiments reflect those shared by Gordon Hill, who testified at the inquiry that he suffered abuse as a three-year-old in a similar Catholic institution in Ballarat. Both Nagle and Hill believe that the inquiry will only be meaningful if the perpetrators themselves are brought to the stand.
Despite the pain and suffering, Nagle and other survivors in Ballarat band together to support one another and help victims heal from this abhorrent atrocity. The fight for justice and healing is far from over, but Nagle remains hopeful that his testimony and the power of many voices will eventually lead to a resolution.
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