Perhaps you’ve noticed the impressive architecture. Presbyterian Ladies’ College, or PLC, has a story as rich as its facade.
PLC Melbourne began in 1875 in East Melbourne. It was one of Australia’s first independent girls’ schools. The Presbyterian Church of Victoria wanted to provide girls with an education equal to boys.
Imagine the classrooms bustling with the first sixty students. Among them was Catherine Deakin, sister of Prime Minister Alfred Deakin. Another was Helen Mitchell. She became the world-famous opera singer Dame Nellie Melba.
In 1881, the University of Melbourne opened to women. Many of its first female students were from PLC. Constance Ellis was the first woman to earn a Doctor of Medicine from Melbourne University. Flos Greig was the first woman admitted to legal practice in Victoria. Vida Goldstein became a suffragette and the first woman to run for Australian Federal Parliament. Ethel Godfrey became one of Victoria’s first female dentists.
By 1938, PLC Melbourne had outgrown its East Melbourne location. The school needed more space. A property called “Hethersett” in Burwood was chosen. The Junior School moved in 1939. The Senior School and Boarding House followed in 1958.
During World War II, the school changed its motto. The original German motto was deemed inappropriate. “Lex Dei Vitae Lampas” became the new motto. It means “The Law of God is the Lamp of Life.”
PLC’s Boarding House now accommodates 100 girls. A new extension opened in 2008. It added sixty individual bedrooms for senior girls. The extension also included music rooms, a laundry, and a computer lab.
Today, PLC Melbourne offers a wide range of programs. The Early Learning Centre educates girls and boys from 6 months to 5 years. The Junior School is for girls from Prep to Grade 6. The Senior School includes Years 7 to 12.
PLC offers the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program. Students can participate in music concerts. They can also join chess tournaments. The school competes in interschool debating.
The House system fosters school spirit. The Junior School has four houses. The Senior School has six houses named after Scottish castles. These houses compete in various activities. They earn points towards the House Cup.
PLC Melbourne has many notable alumnae. In 2001, The Sun-Herald called PLC the best girls’ school in Australia. This was based on the number of alumnae in Who’s Who in Australia. These include Dame Nellie Melba and author Henry Handel Richardson. Marion Phillips was the first Australian woman to win a seat in a national parliament. Vida Goldstein was a prominent suffragette.
From its pioneering beginnings to its modern facilities, Presbyterian Ladies’ College Melbourne stands as a beacon of education for young women. Its graduates have shaped Australia and the world. The college continues to inspire future generations to achieve their full potential.