By Kishor Napier-Raman and Stephen Brook
Cancel culture has reared its head in the rarefied surrounds of Sydney Grammar School.
Every month, the $45,000-a-year institution invites a guest speaker to enlighten the next generation of strapping young lads at its Ithaka Lectures. Grammar isn’t afraid of dissenting views, with punted Herald columnist Elizabeth Farrelly, a fierce opponent of private schools, delivering last month’s oration.
But the school has drawn the line at former Socceroo and football pundit turned human rights activist Craig Foster, who was meant to speak next week. In an email to parents on Tuesday, Grammar headmaster Richard Malpass said that despite the Ithaka Lecture’s commitment to airing a “wide range of views, perspectives and opinions,” Foster’s speech wouldn’t be going ahead.
Unwelcome: Human rights activist and former Socceroo Craig Foster has been dumped from Sydney Grammar’s Ithaka Lectures.
“We are very mindful that our Ithaka Lecture series must also acknowledge and be respectful of the impact it may have on the wellbeing of members of our community,” he said.
“We believe it is not in the best interests of our community at this time for the lecture scheduled for 23 October to proceed.”
What was Foz’s great sin? While his recent posts on X (nee Twitter) snubbing an invitation to meet King Charles III ruffled a few feathers, CBD suspects it’s Foster’s staunch criticism of Israel’s conduct during the Middle East war that has made him unpalatable.
Foster held a leadership role with the Australian Republic Movement until May, when his fellow co-chair, ex-Labor senator Nova Peris quit over differences of opinion over the war.
Foster, who had recently written to Football Australia calling for it to support a push to ban Israel from FIFA, followed her out the door soon afterward.
When asked whether Foster’s stance on the conflict led Grammar to pull the pin, Malpass gave a bit of a non-answer, saying the school remained committed to hearing a wide range of views, perspectives and opinions.
“We are also mindful that the lecture series is delivered in a school campus environment,” he said.
So he didn’t exactly deny it.
Whatever the reason, not everyone in the school community is thrilled, with one parent, who did not want to be named to protect his son, said he was “disgusted” by the move.
“This is the exact opposite of what Grammar is meant to be about, and indeed the Ithaka Lectures – a clash of ideas and broadening minds through debate,” they said.
“If members of the community don’t want to be exposed to uncomfortable ideas, then don’t attend the lecture.”
Couldn’t have put it better ourselves.
LANGUAGE WARNING
Who knew that the nation’s public service broadcaster is dealing with a potty mouth pandemic? That’s the impression given by a “timely reminder” memo from an ABC executive that instructed newsroom staff to stamp out swearing and be “respectful of those working near us from other teams”.
“Bad language won’t be tolerated from any team at any site,” it reads.
At issue is the migration of newsroom staff from the ABC’s Ultimo headquarters in Sydney to what many of the broadcaster’s Sydney staff feel is the western outpost of Parramatta.
This has caused journalists to mix in with civilian teams, with apparently disturbing results.
So much so that alarmed acting NSW Metro editor John McElhinney issued a stern memo to news staff asking them to be respectful of others.
Discussion program Q&A famously had an open mic policy regarding swearing for many years. Maybe it and other programs can follow McElhinney’s suggestion: “Please also go to a quiet space if you need to have long phone calls that could be disruptive to others.”
FOOTING THE BILL
CBD’s news that Bayside Council would be spending over $10,000 in ratepayers’ money to throw a lavish soiree for departing mayor Bill Saravinovski (who is simultaneously facing a mystery NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal case) never really passed the pub test.
Perhaps someone on council agreed, because this week the event was cancelled. The official reason: Bill’s ill-health. Which was the same reason he gave for not re-contesting recent local government elections, rather than the pressure from Labor powerbrokers to move on.
Anyway, the now-aborted dinner, which was meant to happen at the Grand Roxy Ballroom in Brighton-le-Sands this week, seems even more ridiculous given the council had already given Bill a send-off.
That’s right. Following the final council meeting in August, departing councillors, friends and family were treated to a three-course meal, with hired waitstaff, at Rockdale Town Hall.
And while the event was meant to honour all those moving on, Bill, with his 40 years in local government, was given a standing ovation, and the subject of glowing tributes.
In attendance were a smattering of local Labor powerbrokers, Sports Minister Steve Kamper, and former ALP state upper house MP Shaoquett Moselmane – famous for getting raided by ASIO in a 2020 foreign interference probe (no charges were ever laid) and who wants to succeed Indigenous Australians Minister Linda Burney in Barton.
We’re glad to hear Bill got his send-off after all.
Start the day with a summary of the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.