Goulburn was the centre of national attention and the focus of the front page on this day in 1962 as a schools 'strike' rolled on. Sparked by a lack of government funding that would have allowed one of the town's Catholic school to upgrade its toilet block, it led to a decision by the town's religious schools to shut down to in protest at the lack of government funding and to show the load they took of the state through educating students.
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The report on this day said about 600 Catholic students had enrolled into government schools during the strike while a similar amount were on a waiting list. Goulburn High School was described as a "scene of chaos" the previous morning as 800 children and parents turned up awaiting enrolment instructions.
Parents of the Catholic students interviewed were supportive of the shutdown. "My son's schooling may be upset for a few weeks but I support this protest to the hilt," Mrs Allport of Crookwell said. The strike lasted a week and achieved its aim, not only of getting the Goulburn school its toilet upgrade but of ensuring state funding for non-government schools.
