EWL
As a student quoting history your knowledge is fairly limited. The events of the famous shearers strikes late 1800’s and during the early part of the 1900’s, are still part of Australian folk law, and had continuing affects on the participants and their families long after most of them had passed away.
The events of 89, love or hate, are now part of history and will affect the life of the participants and their families for a long time. Too many good people were grievously hurt and scarred both financially and emotionally.
It is totally naïve to expect people to forget, most will learn to cope with it, but most will never forget. It’s just not going to happen so get on with life and accept your lot. If you happen to be from the wrong side of the fence I guess you will just have to learn live with it in your own way.
To compare yourself or 1989 with Australian military history is sick.