Second World War Presbyterian Ladies' College, Sydney

advertisement plc @ temporary residence in strathfield, 1942

in 1941, both principal mary hamilton, , senior mistress (novelist, critic , historian) flora eldershaw, left school fill wartime positions in bureaucracy. in 1942, new principal, dr helen wilkie, arrived find falling enrolments, staffing problems , food shortages due effects of second world war. word received australian military authorities wished inspect school view taking over. on 24 march 1942, requested plc occupied royal australian air force (raaf) purpose of establishing top secret radar unit , military barracks known no.1 rimu (radio installation , maintenance unit). in order accommodate plc s students , classes, council approached meriden school in strathfield. meriden agreed house boarders , singing, domestic science, , physical education classes. plc purchased lingwood, property in strathfield, centre school s remaining activities.

at end of 1942, meriden authorities indicated no longer house plc boarders, lauriston, strathfield, on boulevarde, , welbeck, @ 18 margaret street, rented them. in july 1944 council agreed purchase lingwood, @ 16 margaret street, house kindergarten feeder school college, or site permanent move. few months later council decided future of plc lay in strathfield. croydon campus offered military £36,500 , plans made purchase welbeck , lauriston form new plc.

lauriston, part of plc s wartime strathfield campus

the council s preference strathfield permanent location school not shared of school community, , after intervention education trust of nsw general assembly decided plc reopen once again @ croydon in first term 1946. military agreed pay extensive renovations required, final cheque handed on government on 21 march 1949. lauriston , welbeck disposed of in 1946, lingwood property retained preparatory school. council negotiated margaret thompson, owner , principal of branxton, private school in strathfield, moving school lingwood property, retain name branxton , come under control of plc council.

evidence of plc s wartime occupation remain, tunnels , bomb shelters accessible below stage of college hall. plaque presented school raaf, in commemoration of plc s wartime involvement, can found on school verandah @ entrance main school.

earlier still:

miss freda whitlam (born 1920), sister of prime minister gough whitlam principal between 1958 , 1976. period of great social transition. in 1968 miss whitlam wrote: ours world each year become more conscious of how , radically our environment changing. technology taking drudgery out of our lives , opening exciting opportunities have general education , willing think positively , creatively. here girls aim in view. in 1970, after rev. bill mcleod spoke of seniors , advised intending become nurse or teacher learn greek or italian (to aid communication immigrants), miss whitlam took suggestion: have people time after exams @ end of each year - let s organise greek classes them . in march 1972 school produced newsletter ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΑ ΝΕΑ providing background on greek culture , language , bibliography of relevant books in school library.

in 1977, union of congregational, methodist , presbyterian churches took place, forming uniting church in australia. approximately 1 third of presbyterian church decided remain presbyterian, , consequently property of church had divided. in may of year announced plc croydon remain presbyterian , plc pymble transferred, name changed pymble ladies college. in 1978 decided plc croydon should return original name: presbyterian ladies college, sydney. freda whitlam took part in movement form uniting church , ended principalship of school. moderator of new south wales synod of uniting church in australia (1985-6).

plc sydney 120 year anniversary logo

in late august 2005, due financial troubles @ presbyterian ladies college, armidale, announced plc armidale , plc sydney join form alliance, both schools coming under executive leadership of dr william mckeith, principal of plc sydney. members of plc armidale council formed part of new joint school council, making 2 plc s true sister schools.

the aim of alliance strengthen plc armidale through cooperative marketing, change in management, , stronger financial base. meant benefit both schools providing student exchanges, accommodations sporting events or excursions, , additional country or city option prospective students. both schools maintain separate identities in order preserve unique histories , traditions both have developed on many years. plc celebrated 120th anniversary in 2008 , mark occasion college commissioned limited edition commemorative coffee table book, plc sydney 1888-2008: photographic essay.