Picture Joan Montgomery’s Life

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Picture Joan Montgomery’s Life – Part Two
  • Joan’s father William Montgomery (far right) enlisted with the First AIF and was twice wounded. He wrote of his experience during a battle at Estrees, north of Hamel — “I felt a kick in my right arm and it became limp as a rag with no power in the hand … Stuck my rifle into the ground, butt up—the wounded signal—in case I should fade right out.” 
  • Grandpa Hugh (Jnr.) Montgomery arrived in Melbourne aboard the Loch Long on 3 January 1878 with his father Hugh Snr. and his older brother Robert.
  • Joan (centre) with Loris McPherson & her father Alec. Numurka.
  • William’s salary included an allowance for a horse. But Joan remembered the car, a big “Dodge; later he had the first sedan in the district. Father was amused to be asked to drive a bride to her wedding.”  Bright.
  • Bank of Australasia, Middle Brighton Branch where William Montgomery became Manager in December 1936 
  • Joan (centre) in her Hampton High school uniform. In year 7, she rode her bike the school’s temporary home at St Leonard’s Church Hall, Brighton Beach, while the school was undergoing alterations. 
  • Mary Neilson
    Joan’s first day at PLC was also the first day as Principal for Scotswoman Mary Neilson.
  • The December 1937 Patchwork announces Neilson’s appointment as the first woman Principal since the school’s founding in 1875. Joan would only know women principals.
  • The much-admired PLC Vice Principal, Miss Helen Hailes , who confronted Joan Montgomery as a schoolgirl — “Stand up and return to your classroom. Your position at PLC is in jeopardy!” 
  • Nora Wilkinson PLC’s inspiring geography teacher.
  • Joan Montgomery (L) and her two deputies, Jane Douglas (C), Eve Tindale (R), present at the 7 May 1980 ‘golden handshake’ meeting with Max Bradshaw and Ted Pearsons.
  • Joan Montgomery (L) and her two deputies, Jane Douglas (C), Eve Tindale (R), present at the 7 May 1980 ‘golden handshake’ meeting with Max Bradshaw and Ted Pearsons.
  • The formidable Max Bradshaw who confronted Montgomery and her two Vice Principals in May 1980 and offered her a ‘golden handshake’ to go early.

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