Congratulations on the solo..the recollection really does stay with you forever! The white knuckles syndrome is definitely improved by disciplining yourself to hold the yoke with only two fingers, and consciously making yourself relax. After a while it becomes second nature.
In the Aust PPL you are officially doing incipient spin training - how to avoid a full spin based on the signals in fully developed stalls. As BroomstickPilot rightly says, it's rubbish. How are you going to recognize a spin if you don't ever experience it? Easy enough to find an instructor who can demonstrate the whole thing and appropriate recovery. There are people who can do a passable effort in getting a spin out of a C172 (with a bit of persuasion) but you might also find a willing local with a C15x or a 'proper' aerobatic aircraft. But anything is a lot better than nothing.
It doesn't need to be some arcane bolt-on to your training, either. No reason why you can't ask for some basic aeros as part of the PPL training. I was a bit hesitant at first but am eternally grateful to my instructor for taking this approach. It's a great developer of stick and rudder skills, and an excellent way of building confidence. Good luck!