Douglas Trathen

Douglas Arthur Trathen (1 February 1916 – 19 September 1998) was an Australian Methodist minister and the Headmaster of Newington College and is known for his opposition to the Vietnam War and conscription.^[1]

Early life

Trathen was born in Petersham and was educated at Canterbury Boys' High School. ^[2] He attended the University of Sydney and graduated in arts and theology. After university he served in World War II with the RAAF, and was then ordained as a minister.

Headmaster

In 1951, Trathen hecame Headmaster of Wolaroi College in Orange. In 1963 he commenced duties as Headmaster of Newington College. His obituary in the Sydney Morning Herald states that: "At Newington, he quickly clashed with the establishment ... he sought to broaden the macho sports-oriented base of the school. His ideals were worthy, but his dogmatism alienated many. Interested in philosophy, he did not fit the image of a man's man." In June 1970, at the height of the political crisis about Australia's involvement in the Vietnam War, Trathen wrote a letter to the Herald speaking out against conscription and calling on young men to defy the National Service Act. He wrote: "I am loth indeed to be forced publicly to advocate (non-violent) civil disobedience ... As an ex-serviceman, a private citizen and a man of law and Law, I publicly encourage 20-year-olds, in good conscience and in loyalty to God rather than Caesar, to defy the National Service Act. Mr Gorton and members of Cabinet, for God's sake, stop." The letter was signed followed in brackets by: "The writer is the Headmaster of Newington College." ^[3]The council of the college took issue with the letter and endeavoured to sack him but the conference of the Methodist Church supported him. Trathen was prosecuted for inducing citizens to break the law and although no conviction was recorded he was placed on a good behaviour bond.^[4]

Aftermath

He resigned in September of that year and went on to work in education in both the state and federal spheres before his retirement in 1978. Relations improved with Newington and he visited the college in 1988 as part of its 125th anniversary celebrations. His portrait in oils by Bryan Westwood hangs in the Prescott Hall. Trathen died in Murwillumbah, survived by his wife, Irven (née) Herbert, and four children.

References

Bibliography

• Malcolm Brown, Obituary, SMH, pp 31 (3 October 1998)
• David Macmillan, Newington College 1863-1963 (Syd, 1963)
• Peter Swain, Newington Across the Years 1863-1998 (Syd, 1999)