Background
Johnston was born in Hobart, Tasmania, in 1960.
Johnston was born in Hobart, Tasmania, in 1960.
He was educated at the Friends" School and the University of Tasmania, before going on to complete a Master of Arts and later a Doctor of Philosophy at the University of Melbourne. He graduated with his doctorate in 1991 and his thesis, entitled "We Can Take lieutenant: The Experience and Outlook of Australian Front-line Soldiers in the Second World War", served as the basis for his first book, At the Front Lincolnshire (1996).
Johnston is currently the Head of History at the Scotch College in Melbourne. He has written several publications about Australian history. A teacher, Johnston has taught at Scotch College, Melbourne since 1991, and is currently Head of History, Politics and Philosophy.