I had long wanted to do postgraduate studies and one of the things I found went against me was the Bell Curve. I remember, I was really happy when I was talking to a guy in my Japanese class and told him how I'd gone in a piece of assessment, and he said, "You realise that that will probably only be a pass?" "What?" "Only 1% of students will get a 7." I never saw him again after that semester.

I completed my Bachelor's Degree, and I was told of a Postgraduate Diploma that was a less ambitious option than Honours, and I did that and was able to complete my thesis on the Emperor Emeritus of Japan's father, The Showa Emperor. I had been interested in doing that since high school. I did better in my Postgraduate Diploma than my Bachelor's Degree, in some ways, as the Bell Curve was abolished.

I still remember the nights I graduated, in 1996 and 1997. And I went to Japan during my degree.

Okay, I went to university in Australia, and I had to start with a Group Two University and then get to a Group One University, but I was determined to do it and that was what got me through.

I had some challenges at university, too.