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The Vetting of Wisdom: Joan Montgomery and the fight for PLC
In the story of the biggest school blow-up in Australian history, The Vetting of Wisdom is a gripping tale of a revered Principal-acclaimed nationwide as the leading girls' school educator of her day-loved and admired by all-but with a determined Presbyterian Church minority bent on getting rid of her. Following the formation of the Uniting Church in 1977, the continuing Presbyterians seized PLC and Scotch College from what they saw as the wreckage of Church Union and sought to cast the premier girls' school in their own church-focused image. They were met by court cases, parliamentary fiats, outraged parents, storms of mail, fiery Council debates, packed public meetings and a voluminous, disbelieving press. But after years of bitter protest, Joan Montgomery eventually fell only to be replaced by PLC's first male headmaster in 47 years. For Kim Rubenstein, a former PLC school captain and now with her own brilliant career, it was her first experience of power trumping reason. In the busy years since school, she has often puzzled over what made Montgomery such an inspiring role model for PLC girls and what, in the end, made Joan's detractors think otherwise. The Vetting of Joan Montgomery and the Fight for PLC is the careful piecing together of this puzzle.
- GenresBiography
450 pages, Paperback
Published July 5, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
July 20, 2021
Having had the privilege of teaching at Presbyterian Ladies’ College in 1981 and 1982 under its esteemed Principal, Joan Montgomery, I found Rubenstein’s meticulous and compelling account of “the fight for PLC” illuminating. The relentless attempt to remove the beloved and progressive Principal by powerful Council members of the staunch and conservative Continuing Presbyterians, led by the seemingly personal vendetta of Max Bradshaw, dominated the years I was present and, ultimately, resulted in the forced retirement of one of Australia’s most respected educationalists. The author, herself a proud PLC Old Collegian and 1982 School Captain, delved into the workings of the school as she brilliantly researched every detail of how the five-year campaign to remove Montgomery played out within the school Council, the staff, the students, the Parents’ Association, the media, and most regrettably, within the Church itself.
Rubenstein portrayed Montgomery’s “legacy [as one which the] brutal politics of her departure can never erode or erase.” Nor can the public disregard the despicable activity of the campaign not to renew her contract for a further five years, past the age of 60. The author spent years researching, reading documents, interviewing all parties involved in the school’s activity, and presented a most comprehensive record of the public and secret activity that had led to the irreconcilable division between the Presbyterian Church and the PLC Administration in the attempt by Bradshaw’s contingent to gain control of the school - its administration, its staff, its curriculum, its funding, and its reputation.
Rubenstein’s factual content is presented with flair, written beautifully and inclusive of well-documented conversations and letters that characterised the dispute from all perspectives. The portrait of Joan Montgomery was presented with integrity and warmth, truly reflecting the humility and wry humour of this highly respected woman, particularly in the anecdotes provided by those close to her – friends, family, colleagues and students. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this account and, if possible, my respect grew for Joan Montgomery and her dignified handling of such a tumultuous period of her life.
Rubenstein portrayed Montgomery’s “legacy [as one which the] brutal politics of her departure can never erode or erase.” Nor can the public disregard the despicable activity of the campaign not to renew her contract for a further five years, past the age of 60. The author spent years researching, reading documents, interviewing all parties involved in the school’s activity, and presented a most comprehensive record of the public and secret activity that had led to the irreconcilable division between the Presbyterian Church and the PLC Administration in the attempt by Bradshaw’s contingent to gain control of the school - its administration, its staff, its curriculum, its funding, and its reputation.
Rubenstein’s factual content is presented with flair, written beautifully and inclusive of well-documented conversations and letters that characterised the dispute from all perspectives. The portrait of Joan Montgomery was presented with integrity and warmth, truly reflecting the humility and wry humour of this highly respected woman, particularly in the anecdotes provided by those close to her – friends, family, colleagues and students. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this account and, if possible, my respect grew for Joan Montgomery and her dignified handling of such a tumultuous period of her life.
July 21, 2021
This was a wonderful book, meticulously researched and beautifully written. It is an erudite and unflinching examination of this period of division and bitterness at PLC. The ugliness of the undermining of Joan Montgomery’s position at PLC is the constant backdrop to her dignity, strength and grace under pressure. She was an inspiring Principal of PLC and it was my privilege to teach briefly under her leadership. Rubenstein’s wide-ranging book captures Montgomery as a committed and innovative Principal, a true educator and a great advocate of girls’ education but also as a warm and interested human being.( and I loved the photos!)
February 1, 2022
I forget where and when I read a review of the above . However, I immediately determined it would be a worthy addition to my library .
I initially thought it may be another "Helen Garner" or another "Casandra Pybus". It was neither, but equally powerful.
Like most biographies I've read I wandered at length through, the forward, acknowledgements and research sources. In this volume these sections were vast.
I just knew it would be a great read. The same reaction was felt when I read these sections in Holroyd's "Lytton Strachey". A.Scott Berg's "Max Perkins, Editor of Genius'. Sally Cline's "Zelda Fitzgerald". All meticulously researched, I place this in their league.
Pivotal to the story is the merging of the relative religions. Presbyterian, Protestant, Methodist, Congregation. To become the behemoth "Uniting Church". Also central to the merge was the carve up and running of powerful educational institutions like PLC and MLC and others.
Joan Montgomery was a "thorn in the side" to a mostly male governing body. Who fought agains her more progressive educational methodology pertaining to the female student body. The male hierarchy against her would probably be better suited in the age of "Pepys". Or even a "Medici" era where education was totally church based and designed. Which was probably okay if your career path was solely to become a "man of the cloth", but little else.
She was offered a "golden handshake" to leave. Long before her contract was to expire. Which of course she refused.
During her watch at PLC, because of her progressive teaching methods and the promotion of higher learning for girls. Her era saw the first student graduates become leaders in previously male dominated callings. Including Law, Academia, Science, Medicine and others. Much to the chagrin of the male dominated , dinosaur like governing bodies.
She wasn't to be a long term thorn in the side. The governing bodies decided that if a Principal of these prestigious schools were female they would have to be "Miss" rather than "Mrs." They figured a woman who was both a wife and mother would not have the time or ability to devote sufficient energy to the task.. What a sad logic and thinking. Nonetheless fairly normal for these times.
Before combining, each religious body held its own management team. Each responsible for the running and direction.
Including some powerful and lucrative educational institutions like PLC. and MLC. Suddenly there was a surplus a groups , then the drive for dominance raised its head. Not necessarily for the good of the whole (in my opinion) but for each of their survival.
Well may we promote the "Separation of church and state". This almost cried out for a "separation of church and education".
Joan Montgomery's battle with the dinosaur governing body, would one day see her demise. In spite of her huge support and following from fellow teaching staff. Along with past and present student body. Not to mention the powerful parents of current students. Who contribute untold millions of pounds to the school's survival.
A truly remarkable story, about a truly remarkable educationalist. I fear my ramblings nowhere near do it justice. Either to the book or its main protagonist . Get yourself a copy, I have absolutely no doubt you will agree with everything I've said..
I initially thought it may be another "Helen Garner" or another "Casandra Pybus". It was neither, but equally powerful.
Like most biographies I've read I wandered at length through, the forward, acknowledgements and research sources. In this volume these sections were vast.
I just knew it would be a great read. The same reaction was felt when I read these sections in Holroyd's "Lytton Strachey". A.Scott Berg's "Max Perkins, Editor of Genius'. Sally Cline's "Zelda Fitzgerald". All meticulously researched, I place this in their league.
Pivotal to the story is the merging of the relative religions. Presbyterian, Protestant, Methodist, Congregation. To become the behemoth "Uniting Church". Also central to the merge was the carve up and running of powerful educational institutions like PLC and MLC and others.
Joan Montgomery was a "thorn in the side" to a mostly male governing body. Who fought agains her more progressive educational methodology pertaining to the female student body. The male hierarchy against her would probably be better suited in the age of "Pepys". Or even a "Medici" era where education was totally church based and designed. Which was probably okay if your career path was solely to become a "man of the cloth", but little else.
She was offered a "golden handshake" to leave. Long before her contract was to expire. Which of course she refused.
During her watch at PLC, because of her progressive teaching methods and the promotion of higher learning for girls. Her era saw the first student graduates become leaders in previously male dominated callings. Including Law, Academia, Science, Medicine and others. Much to the chagrin of the male dominated , dinosaur like governing bodies.
She wasn't to be a long term thorn in the side. The governing bodies decided that if a Principal of these prestigious schools were female they would have to be "Miss" rather than "Mrs." They figured a woman who was both a wife and mother would not have the time or ability to devote sufficient energy to the task.. What a sad logic and thinking. Nonetheless fairly normal for these times.
Before combining, each religious body held its own management team. Each responsible for the running and direction.
Including some powerful and lucrative educational institutions like PLC. and MLC. Suddenly there was a surplus a groups , then the drive for dominance raised its head. Not necessarily for the good of the whole (in my opinion) but for each of their survival.
Well may we promote the "Separation of church and state". This almost cried out for a "separation of church and education".
Joan Montgomery's battle with the dinosaur governing body, would one day see her demise. In spite of her huge support and following from fellow teaching staff. Along with past and present student body. Not to mention the powerful parents of current students. Who contribute untold millions of pounds to the school's survival.
A truly remarkable story, about a truly remarkable educationalist. I fear my ramblings nowhere near do it justice. Either to the book or its main protagonist . Get yourself a copy, I have absolutely no doubt you will agree with everything I've said..
October 23, 2021
A meticulously researched biography into the power & machinations behind the removal of one of Australia’s greatest Principals, Joan Montgomery . A fascinating read.
February 4, 2025
3.5 ☆
Finished reading ... The Vetting of Wisdom: Joan Montgomery and the fight for PLC / Kim Rubenstein ... 26 July 2022
ISBN: 9780648899808 ... 399 pp. incl. Index
I have no connection with PLC but remember reading in the press about ructions there and at Scotch College when the Uniting Church was formed and a rump of more conservative Presbyterians continued on as the Presbyterian Church in Australia.
The bulk of the book is concerned with those times but it also gives a biography of Montgomery from birth, much more detailed through her time at PLC, then an afterword that briefly reflects back to those turbulent years from the distance of some decades.
It was not so much the continuing Presbyterian Church that was involved - it probably should have been so events didn't become as destructive as they did. It was a lay man with a position of some authority in his local parish who was the leader of the group that got quite nasty in its ultimately successful bid to oust Montgomery as Principal at PLC in favour of someone who had a more literalist, conservative, closed minded (women should know their place) approach to the Bible.
This was something of a David and Goliath battle. Retention of Montgomery was favoured by everyone – parents, students, staff, leading educationalists around the country. But the backwards looking 'reformer' and his small band of followers had the power.
This is a salutary reminder that in a David and Goliath contest, yes, the underdog wins. But the underdog does not necessarily have right on their side. Power, tenacity, singlemindedness and no concern at all for the person you are opposing, a streak of nastiness you might say, can be enough.
In some parts there is a bit much unnecessary detail, especially in the legal descriptions of what is happening – as befits the lawyer author. But not so much that it's off-putting.
Recommended as a cautionary tale.
Borrowed from my local library.
Finished reading ... The Vetting of Wisdom: Joan Montgomery and the fight for PLC / Kim Rubenstein ... 26 July 2022
ISBN: 9780648899808 ... 399 pp. incl. Index
I have no connection with PLC but remember reading in the press about ructions there and at Scotch College when the Uniting Church was formed and a rump of more conservative Presbyterians continued on as the Presbyterian Church in Australia.
The bulk of the book is concerned with those times but it also gives a biography of Montgomery from birth, much more detailed through her time at PLC, then an afterword that briefly reflects back to those turbulent years from the distance of some decades.
It was not so much the continuing Presbyterian Church that was involved - it probably should have been so events didn't become as destructive as they did. It was a lay man with a position of some authority in his local parish who was the leader of the group that got quite nasty in its ultimately successful bid to oust Montgomery as Principal at PLC in favour of someone who had a more literalist, conservative, closed minded (women should know their place) approach to the Bible.
This was something of a David and Goliath battle. Retention of Montgomery was favoured by everyone – parents, students, staff, leading educationalists around the country. But the backwards looking 'reformer' and his small band of followers had the power.
This is a salutary reminder that in a David and Goliath contest, yes, the underdog wins. But the underdog does not necessarily have right on their side. Power, tenacity, singlemindedness and no concern at all for the person you are opposing, a streak of nastiness you might say, can be enough.
In some parts there is a bit much unnecessary detail, especially in the legal descriptions of what is happening – as befits the lawyer author. But not so much that it's off-putting.
Recommended as a cautionary tale.
Borrowed from my local library.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews