In 1945 the Reverend Harry Griffiths, who worked for the Methodist Inland Mission in Alice Springs, saw the need for a boarding facility for children of families living in remote areas in Central Australia who needed access to schools. He and his wife established Griffiths House, on a site in the town centre, and for many years it became home for students from all over the Outback, including many young Aboriginal people. In the late 1950's the Rev Fred McKay, successor to the Rev John Flynn as Superintendent of the Australian Inland Mission, lobbied the United Church in the Northern Territory to build and expand on this important start. Together the Presbyterian, Methodist and Congregational churches embarked on a missionary venture to develop St Philip's College - a new, larger residential hostel which would one day become a full boarding school. An ideal site - 22 acres of bush at the junction of the Charles and Todd Rivers and backing on to the Telegraph Station National Park - was secured and after six years of planning, construction began in 1964. Fred McKay led the legendary work parties comprised of volunteers from all over Australia who travelled to Alice Springs, paying their own way and volunteering their expertise, time and labour, to turn a dream into a reality. This fantastic tradition continues today, with work parties arriving each mid-year holiday. On 13 February 1965 the first boarders moved in to St Philip's College. For the first 24 years, therefore, St Philip's College operated as a residential hostel only. The College’s ninth Headmaster, Mr Christopher Tudor, arrived in 1986. He and the Council Chairman, Mrs Jan Heaslip, judged that the time was right to complete the original plan to turn St Philip’s College into a fully fledged independent boarding/day school, serving not only “bush” families, but also the growing population of Alice Springs. The then College Council embraced the idea and three years of frantic, determined preparation and planning commenced, culminating in an extensive $2 million building program in 1988. To this day there continues to be further development with the new landscaping underway near The Minnamurra Hall, Reception and Rivergum Cafe, plus the recent completion of the Science & Food Technology building and the new Rivergum Cafe.Head & Shoulders of Chris Tudor.st. philip's college, tudor, chris, eldridge, chris

In 1945 the Reverend Harry Griffiths, who worked for the Methodist Inland Mission in Alice Springs, saw the need for a boarding facility for children of families living in remote areas in Central Australia who needed access to schools. He and his wife established Griffiths House, on a site in the town centre, and for many years it became home for students from all over the Outback, including many young Aboriginal people. In the late 1950's the Rev Fred McKay, successor to the Rev John Flynn as Superintendent of the Australian Inland Mission, lobbied the United Church in the Northern Territory to build and expand on this important start. Together the Presbyterian, Methodist and Congregational churches embarked on a missionary venture to develop St Philip's College - a new, larger residential hostel which would one day become a full boarding school. An ideal site - 22 acres of bush at the junction of the Charles and Todd Rivers and backing on to the Telegraph Station National Park - was secured and after six years of planning, construction began in 1964. Fred McKay led the legendary work parties comprised of volunteers from all over Australia who travelled to Alice Springs, paying their own way and volunteering their expertise, time and labour, to turn a dream into a reality. This fantastic tradition continues today, with work parties arriving each mid-year holiday. On 13 February 1965 the first boarders moved in to St Philip's College. For the first 24 years, therefore, St Philip's College operated as a residential hostel only. The College’s ninth Headmaster, Mr Christopher Tudor, arrived in 1986. He and the Council Chairman, Mrs Jan Heaslip, judged that the time was right to complete the original plan to turn St Philip’s College into a fully fledged independent boarding/day school, serving not only “bush” families, but also the growing population of Alice Springs. The then College Council embraced the idea and three years of frantic, determined preparation and planning commenced, culminating in an extensive $2 million building program in 1988. To this day there continues to be further development with the new landscaping underway near The Minnamurra Hall, Reception and Rivergum Cafe, plus the recent completion of the Science & Food Technology building and the new Rivergum Cafe.Tudor and Eldridge in conversation with the College in the background.st. philip's college, tudor, chris, eldridge, chris

From the Adelaide Advertiser for 19 November 1952, p. 11: Two Happy Visitorsf rom the Pacific Adelaide is proving 'just like our real home'' to two charming and interesting visitors from Methodist missions in the Pacific. Miss Ravesi Mosi. of Fiii. and diminutive Miss Katalini Dimula, of Papua, the first native women missionaries to visit Australia From these islands. Ravesi and Katalini have enjoyed vastly the three months they have already spent in this country. Thev came here at the' invitation of the Methodist Women's Auxiliary for Oversea Missions in Victoria to take part in their diamond jubilee celebrations in Melbourne. They also spent some time in Sydney. But they are particularly happy to be in Adelaide because both of them have found old and good friends here. That is why it feels! like 'home'. Katalini. whose home is on the Island of Misima, in the far south-west of Papua, is the guest of the Rev. H. K. Bartlett and Mrs Bartlett. who lived on Misima for several years and knew Katoitni as a young girl. They are the first people she has met in Australia who speak her language and know her background. It was a personal interest to them to hear of her work as a missionary nurse, for which she did her training in Salamo Hospital on Ferguson Island, about 200 miles away from Misima, where she now helps to train the women of the island villages in the principles of health and hygiene and caring for their babies according to modern methods.Katalini is dressed in a grass skirt and a western top."Katalini Dimula" "D. Schmidt"katalini, dimula, methodist, papua

Possible dates: b. 12/10/1868, d. 14/10/1947. Married Alfred Coates in 1888. Alfred Coates was Home Missionary in Diamond Creek from 1910 to 1913 and in Bacchus Marsh on 18/3/191, according to the Argus, p. 19, 18/3/1916.B & W studio portrait of Sister Bessie (Emma Elizabeth Coates nee Dau) dressed in the clothing of a Methodist Missionary sister.dau, emma elizabeth, sister bessie, home missionary, methodist central mission

Possible dates: b. 12/10/1868, d. 14/10/1947. Husband, Alfred Coates was Home Missionary in Diamond Creek from 1910 to 1913 and in Bacchus Marsh on 18/3/191, according to the Argus, p. 19, 18/3/1916.B & W studio portrait of a seated Sister Bessie (Emma Elizabeth Coates nee Dau) dressed in her Home Missionary uniform.dau, emma elizabeth, sister bessie, methodist central mission, alfred coates, home missionary

Sir Albert Ernest Coates (1895-1977), surgeon, was born on 28 January 1895 at Ballarat, Victoria, eldest of seven children of Arthur Coates, letter carrier, and his wife Clara Annie, née Eustice, both Victorian born. Although their worldly possessions were few, Arthur and Clara raised their family in an affectionate atmosphere and instilled in them the virtues of honesty, industry and education. They were strong supporters of the Methodist Church. (Australian Dictionary of Biography extract). Arthur apparently was a Home Missionary at one stage of his life.Coates in formal dress.coates, arthur

Born 26/2/1924. Ordained 1956. Turiff Home Missionary 1948, Birchip (HM) 1948–49, Mt Isa (Methodist Inland Mission) 1949–51, Drysdale 1952–55, Goroke 1956–57, Sea Lake 1961–65, Avoca 196–67, Strathmore 1967–72, Ballarat West 1973–76, Joined the UCA 1977. Without settlement 1976 while transferred to Rochdale (UK), Boronia, Malvern (6 years), Peterborough (UK). Retired to Geelong in 1989, and died late 1997. Wife: Ruth (4 daughters).Head and shoulders B&W photo."The Rev. Ken Eddy"eddy, kendall w.

Victor Raymond Hicks (11/8/1903–19/11/1995) born at Ballarat. Trained at Otira and accepted as candidate for the ministry in 1927. Ordained 1934. Married Lillian Harvey, 4 children. Appointments to Mitiamo, Matimuk, Woomelang, Wodonga, Kerang, Springvale, Brunswick, North Fitzroy, Geelong West, Kyneton and Brown Hill (Ballarat). Chaplaincy in WW2 and at Box Hill hospital. The article about the Mitiamo church: "Fifty years ago the Rev. Raymond Hicks was minister at Mitiamo as it celebrated its Golden Jubilee. He returned for the centenary this year and powerfully preached on 'Lengthen your cords, and strengthen your stakes' (Isaiah 54:2). He spoke of the great need of the church today to have a passion to lead men and women to Christ. Also sharing in the service were the Rev. Ray Scholl, a Mitiamo member before entering the ministry, and present minister, the Rev. M. Thalheimer. The centenary weekend began with an old fashioned tea meeting and concert. The Sunday school hall housed a comprehensive display of photos and historical records dating back to the Bible Christian days of 1884. Mrs Thirza Phelan has researched and written the church history. FOOTNOTE: The first minister, Mitiamo's the Rev. Daniel Daley, preached at the Golden Jubilee service—Mr Hicks has followed an ancient tradition."Colour photograph of Rev. V. Raymond Hicks standing outside the front of a wooden church porch.C&N identification.rev raymond hicks, home missionary, methodist ministry, otira

ADB entry: http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/langham-frederick-3987 Frederick Langham (1833-1903), Wesleyan missionary, was born on 24 April 1833 at Launceston, Van Diemen's Land, son of Samuel Langham, builder, and his wife Eliza, née Robinson. Nurtured in a Methodist home he attended the Paterson Street Sunday school and was 'converted' under the ministry of Rev. William Butters. In 1847 the family moved to Victoria where Langham joined the Fitzroy Church. After two years training as a teacher in Britain he returned to Melbourne and on 16 November 1854 at Richmond married Ann Elizabeth Knight. In January 1855 Langham became headmaster of the Wesleyan Denominational School at Barker Street, Castlemaine, where he was a contemporary of Shirley Baker at the other Wesleyan school. Influenced by Rev. Thomas Raston to consider missionary work, Langham was prepared for the ministry by Rev. John Harcourt and in 1858 was received into the Victorian Conference. He was appointed to Fiji where he arrived in June. Langham served at Lakemba in 1858-63, Bau in 1864-66 and Viwa in 1868-70. As one of the assertive 'colonial young men', he was resented at first by Rev. James Calvert and his colleagues, but Langham soon dominated the mission and was chairman of the Fiji district in 1869-94. From 1871 he lived at Bau where he won repute among Methodists as King Cakobau's adviser. Although his policies did not please all the missionaries, they accepted him as their spokesman. Believing himself the champion of the Fijians he encouraged annexation by Britain, but often nettled the colonial administrators by his paternalism and lack of imagination. To his colleagues he was 'Father' Langham and Sir Arthur Gordon referred to him as 'The Cardinal'. In 1874-75 and 1890 Langham and his wife visited Melbourne mainly for their health. They finally left Fiji in April 1895 and lived in Sydney where Langham worked on the revision of the Fijian Bible. Though always reluctant in Australia to travel on deputationary work, he identified himself with the Orange cause and was easily persuaded to give anti-Catholic missionary lectures, which involved him in public controversy with Cardinal Patrick Moran. In 1898 Langham went to England to see his New Testament through the press. The subsequent burning of some testaments at the Roman Catholic mission at Namosi received much publicity in Australia. Langham's wife had helped his revision and was author of many Fijian hymns. Their adopted (European) daughter Annie Langham Lindsay died on 21 December 1901, just before the revised Old Testament was completed. His wife did not recover from this shock and died on 5 January 1902. Langham became a supernumerary in 1901 and travelled on deputationary work in Britain, mainly for the British and Foreign Bible Society, of which he was a life governor. He also shared in the 'simultaneous mission' of the Evangelical churches. In addition to the Fijian Bible he had published other works in Fijian, some in conjunction with other authors. Recommended by Sir William MacGregor, Langham was awarded a doctorate of divinity by the University of Glasgow. He died at Wilton Villa, Albion Grove, Hackney, on 21 June 1903 and was buried in Abney Park cemetery. Although he bequeathed a 'cannibal fork with human bone attached' to a sister in Melbourne, the rest of his Fijian collection was sold. He instructed his trustees to destroy his journals and correspondence but many of his original letters are in other collections. Physically impressive with leonine hair and beard, Langham cut his missionary role in the cloth of the schoolmaster. As a disciplinarian his punishments were severe but tempered with justice; he once insisted on being caned by a wrongfully punished boy. His relentless energy and simple piety won him renown as a great missionary by his denomination and those of the religious public familiar with the romanticized version of his career. Sepia toned carte de visite studio portrait of the Rev. Frederick Langham"Langham c.1873-77"rev frederick langam, wesleyan methodist missionary, minister, fiji

Norma Anguey trained as a home missionary. She was accepted as a candidate for the new order of Methodist Deaconesses in 1943.B & W gloss head and shoulders studio portrait of Norma Anguey.norma anguey, home missionary sister, methodist, deaconess

Alec Pederick was born in 1902 and left school at 15 to work on his parents' farm at Wyuna, Kyabrum,Victoria. After receiving a sense of call he trained for the Methodist ministry and was appointed to his first parish at Zeehan, Tasmania in 1927. He was called to serve with the Methodist Overseas Mission in New Britain and New Ireland in 1929. He married Dorothy Clarke just before he left. After four years in PNG he returned through ill-health to Victoria. He was appointed to the Beaufort Circuit in 1933 and then in 1936 to the Methodist Home Missions Department. He was called up as an Army chaplain in 1942 and sent on active service in Papua New Guinea. He was discharged in 1944 and returned to the Home Missions Department. He was appointed acting General Superintendent in 1944 and then General Superintendent in 1946, a position he held until 1962. He also served as Director of the Federal Methodist Inland Mission for a time. He died in 1972.B & W photograph of 16 men and women sitting and standing outdoors. Alec W. Pederick stands 3rd from the left in the back row. The group are probably students and staff of the George Brown Missionary College in Sydney. Photograph is mounted on grey card.alec pederick, methodist, minister, george brown college, zeehan, rabaul, dorothy clarke, methodist overseas mission, papua new guinea, army chaplain,, home missions, methodist inland mission

Rev Alec Pederick (1902 - 1972). Trained at Queen's College. Commenced his ministry at Zeehan, Tasmania in 1927. In 1929 he went to Rabaul P.N.G. and to Piniqidu in 1931. Returning to Australia in 1933 was appointed to Beaufort Circuit and then to the Methodist Home Missions Department. Served as a Chaplain in the A.I.F 1942 - 1944. After discharge from the army Rev. Pederick resumed working with Home Missions, becoming General Superintendent and residing at “Otira”, the Home Mission Training College in Kew, at which he was also principal. President of Conference in 1955. Died 19 August 1972. B & W photograph of Rev. Alec Pederick and Mrs Pederick at the Home Missionaries Retreat Aldersgate.alec pederick, methodist, minister, home missions, overseas missions, chaplain a.i.f., otira, president of conference

Rev. Douglas James Gibson. Home Missionary at Werrimull 1946. Appointed to Berri (Alawoona) in 1950, Ceduna 1952, Kangaroo Island 1955, Elizabeth 1959, Home Mission Department Field Secretary from 1962.Informal B & W photograph of Rev. and Mrs Douglas Gibson on their wedding day.rev douglas james gibson, home missionary, methodist, minister

Horace Henry Gowty (1903 - 1981). Started preaching whilst a member of Christian Endeavour. Served as a local preacher at Meatian, in the Mallee. At the age of 47 became a Home Missionary in the Methodist Church, serving at Lalbert, Birchip, Fitzroy and Alice Springs. On returning to Victoria he went to Poowong. He was ordained in 1967 at the age of 63, and went to Deloraine in Tasmania. On retiring, he and his wife moved to Berriwillock. He died at Sea Lake in 1981.B & W photograph of the Rev. Horace Gowty standing with his wife Lilian May Gowty and daughter Margery.horace henrty gowty, lilian may gowty, margerty gowty, christian endeavour, meatian, home missionary, methodist, local preacher

Horace Henry Gowty (1903 - 1981). Started preaching whilst a member of Christian Endeavour. Served as a local preacher at Meatian, in the Mallee. At the age of 47 became a Home Missionary in the Methodist Church, serving at Lalbert, Birchip, Fitzroy and Alice Springs. On returning to Victoria he went to Poowong. He was ordained in 1967 at the age of 63, and went to Deloraine in Tasmania. On retiring, he and his wife moved to Berriwillock. He died at Sea Lake in 1981.B & W photograph of the Rev. Horace Gowty shaking hands with an unidentified man.horace henrty gowty, lilian may gowty, margerty gowty, christian endeavour, meatian, home missionary, methodist, local preacher

John Blakemore (1908 - 2000). Born at Pelsall, Staffordshire. Became a local preacher at the age of 18. Arrived in Australia in 1926. Accepted as a Home Missionary and served at Ultima, Willaura, Piangil and Moulamein. Studied at Otira and at Queen's College. Whilst studying he was sent to St. George's Rd Northcote, where he met his wife. Returned to England for two years, where he served as a probationer. Returned to Australia in 1937 and was ordained into the Methodist Church. He served at Merbein, Shepparton, Newstead, Numurkah, Maffra, East Ivanhoe, Bentleigh, and Oakleigh. Between 1941 and 1944 he was a chaplain in the A.I.F.B & W head and shoulders studio portrait of the Rev. John Blakemore.john blakemore, local preacher, home missionary, otira, queen's college, chaplain a.i.f., methodist, minister.

Sister Annie was Elizabeth Ann Rickard, b. 1888 in Timor Victoria; died Fitzroy 1967. She was a mission sister at the Carlton Methodist Mission.B & W waist length studio portrait of Sister Annie. Postcard format.To Eva & Doris with love from Sister Annie "God Luck" 28.2.35sister annie, elizabeth ann rickard, carlton methodis mission, home missionary, deaconess

Reverend John Kissack Arnold was a home missionary at Mansfield and was ordained in 1923 for Overseas Mission work. He was appointed to Drysdale, Newtown, Geelong, Yarram, Kyabram, Castlemaine, Kew and Moonee Ponds. He was born in 1895 and died on31 July 1955.B & W head and shoulders studio portrait of the Rev John Kissack Arnold, mounted on grey card.Rev. J.K.Arnoldrev john kissack arnold, home missionary, methodist, overseas mission

Mr. and Mrs. Lynex were Home Missionaries. Mr. Lynex was known as a ‘Circuit Builder’. Mrs. Lynex was a fully accredited preacher.Matte, black and white, head and shoulders photograph of Mr. and Mrs. Lynex on board.lynex, home missionary, dimboola, methodist

Rev. Desmond Tarran (1916 - 1992). Born at Werribee. Converted at age 15. Entered the Home Missionary Training College in 1936. Spent 29 years in many appointments including 3 years 1950 - 1952 in Inland Mission in the Murchison area, Western Australia. Enlisted as an army medical orderly in 1940. Served in the medical service in Palestine and was transferred to a forward casualty station, then taken prisoner by the Japanese in 1942. On the Death Railway in Thailand worked closely with Dr E. (Weary) Dunlop and Dr Albert Coates in caring for starving and maltreated prisoners. Returned to home mission service in 1947. In 1966 was selected for special ordination as a Methodist minister. Served 11 years in country and city churches before retiring in 1978.Satin, black and white, head and shoulders, studio portrait of Rev. Desmond Tarran, as a post card.desmond tarran, home missionary, methodist minister, prisoner of war