Montessori: The Australian Story

Abstract

The first centenary of Montessori education in Australia is a multi-layered saga, a tapestry of tales woven together by a single unbroken thread: Australians bringing to life the vision of Italian physician and educator Dr Maria Montessori (1870-1952) in the service of Australian children. The commitment and dedication of Australian Montessorians has, since the beginning, also made an impression beyond Australian shores. The story chronicled here could never be a complete record of all Australian Montessori schools, all Australian Montessori educators and all Australian children who have attended Montessori schools, much less the many hundreds of Australian benefactors and volunteers who have supported Montessori education over the years. It is, instead, offered as a first account of the Montessori work undertaken in this country over the last century.