Ruth Flockart and Dr Wood - a crucial relationship in the development of Melbourne Methodist Ladies’ College music program

Oct 15, 2026

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This paper explores how specific working relationships within school music programs can strongly shape development and progress. It investigates the collaboration between music teacher Ruth Flockart (1891-1985) and principal Doctor A. Harold Wood (1896-1989) at Melbourne Methodist Ladies’ College. The research uses memorabilia, music manuscripts, press coverage, magazines, relics, and oral history interviews. Shared religious devotion, strong work ethic, communication, mutual support, and a common vision are identified as key factors, with implications for contemporary schools’ music outcomes.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages8

Reading Time20 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

Flockart’s life and career

Ruth Flockart and Dr Wood: a crucial relationship in the development of Melbourne Methodist Ladies’ College music program Louise Jenkins Jenkins Consulting Abstract This paper explores the notion that particular working relationships within school music programs can have a significant affect on the program’s development and progress. To explore this notion the research focussed on the working relationship of a music teacher at Melbourne Methodist Ladies’ College (MLC), Ruth Flockart (1891-1985) and the principal Doctor A. Harold Wood (1896-1989). The research included an analysis of personal memorabilia, music manuscripts, newspaper articles, magazines and relics. Also, a range of oral history interviews were completed with family members, friends and former students of Flockart and Wood. The paper discusses the reasons for Flockart and Wood’s significant influence upon the MLC music program. A shared religious devotion, a strong work ethic, excellent communication and the provision of mutual support were crucial to their successful working relationship. Significantly, a shared vision of the school music program was also vital. School music programs to this day rely upon the relationship between the school principal and the music teacher, hence the findings ofthis research can speak to contemporary schools with music programs. The findings may encourage understandings about working relationships in school music programs and lead to better outcomes for music. Key words: school music programs, Ruth Flockart, Dr A. Harold Wood, working relationships, Melbourne Methodist Ladies’ College Australian Journal of Music Education 2011:1, 3-10 Introduction Too often we overlook the importance of collegiality and familial support in the work of school music teachers. Influences upon school music programs such as curriculum, funding and social changes are often considered as influential, but the significance of working relationships can be undervalued. This paper explores the notion that particular working relationships within music programs can dramatically affect the development and progress of a school music program. The story of Ruth Flockart (1891-1985) and Doctor A. Harold Wood (1896-1989), and their influence upon the Melbourne Methodist Ladies’College (MLC), exemplifies the type of working relationship which can change dramatically the face of a school music program. Flockart was a significant figure in the Melbourne music world in the first half of the twentieth century. Her outstanding work with the MLC choirs, and her formidable directorship of the MLC school choral program, are legendary. Yet Flockart’s success was not achieved in isolation. As outlined in Jenkins (2007), Flockart greatly relied upon her sister Annie on the home front. Without Annie’s support, it is probable that Flockart would not have been able to pursue her career with such vigour. However, the research indicated that Flockart also relied upon the support of the Melbourne Methodist Ladies’ College Principal, Reverend Dr. A. Harold Wood. They were a highly successful team of dedicated and religiously devout educators. The context and tone of this important relationship will be explored, with reference to Flockart and Wood’s musical and religious philosophies and the impact their successful working relationship had on the MLC music program. To contextualise the analysis of the Flockart/ Wood working relationship, the paper will present an overview of Flockart’s life and musical work. Details of this that have been hitherto unknown have been sourced through personal memorabilia (letters, scrapbooks, references, handwritten speeches, university transcripts) music manuscripts, newspaper articles, magazines and relics. Oral history interviews were also completed with family members, friends and former students of Flockart. Flockart’s life and career Flockart was born in Lancefield, a small town in Victoria near the Macedon Ranges, on

FAQs

What is the main research focus of the paper?

The paper examines how particular working relationships within school music programs can significantly affect their development and progress.

Which two people are central to the study at Melbourne Methodist Ladies’ College?

The study focuses on Ruth Flockart (music teacher) and Doctor A. Harold Wood (principal).

What factors are described as crucial to Flockart and Wood’s successful working relationship?

The paper highlights shared religious devotion, strong work ethic, excellent communication, mutual support, and a shared vision for the music program.

Oct 15, 2026

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