Russel Montgomery Bio

I was born in Perth, Western Australia, in 1959

I was an Air Force kid. That meant we moved a lot. Mostly we bounced back and forth between the desert (dad@weapons testing) and Melbourne (dad@training).

I was baptised in the Methodist Church of Australia as a baby.

Dad died when I was 11. Mum remarried and it didn't go well. My teenage years were difficult.

We came to live in Western Australia again when I was 15.

I got religion in my early twenties. I was baptisted in an Independent protestant church as an adult.

I meet my wife and we married in my mid twenties.

I trained to become a baptist pastor but did not proceed into ministry.

I got disillusioned with religion in my late 20s.

Friends convinced me to go teaching in my early 30s.

My first child was born in my early 30s.

Wife, children, teaching brought balm to my life... I began to heal.

I took time off teaching to look after our children.

My last child was born in my early 40s.

My last child is now in primary school. I am back teaching again.

I still distrust religion profoundly. Though have not given up the faith.

I love my wife very much and really enjoy being her husband.

I love my boys and am a very proud father.

I love teaching though it is a monster that will consume my life if not manged well.

I have come to know the southern shore of the Swan River estuary as my heartland. It is my place.