The Peppercorn Tree

For fifty years, John Fitzgibbon didn't tell anyone about the abuse he had suffered at the hands of notorious priest and paedophile, Father John Day, in Mildura. Over a two-year period during primary school, John was one of Day's favourites, pulled out of class to visit Day in the presbytery.

The Catholic Church knew about Day. Victoria Police knew about Day. Both institutions protected him, and it is believed the number of his young victims totals in the hundreds.

For fifty years, John kept silent about the abuse and the trauma it caused him, trauma that echoed throughout his adult life. He didn't tell his family. He didn't tell friends. Now he speaks.