When and where were you born?
13 October, 1945, Allora, Queensland
Memories of your childhood/family/upbringing/schooling?
A happy, stable and rural background at Allora – moved to Dalby, QLD at 7 years of age. Educated at Allora by Sisters of St Joseph and Mercy Sisters at Dalby and the Jimbour State School and at Nudgee College.
When/why did you decide to enter the Seminary?
1967 – Called at 22. Called and “knocked from the back of a horse” to Banyo Seminary, Brisbane.
Memories of Seminary life?
Very happy years of challenge after Vatican II, with an education for life and ministry.
When and where were you ordained?
12 July 1974, Dalby, Queensland
What areas of ministry have you worked in since Ordination?
Enjoyed my 21 years at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Toowoomba, 15 of these as Administrator. Told by clergy “must be mad”; and worked in rural postings at Charleville, Dalby and Roma.
What have been the highlights of your ministry to date?
Being able to share the depths of peoples’ lives and seven years on the National Council of Caritas Australia.
What challenges have you faced in your ministry and how have these been overcome (if at all)?
Going from being “bullet proof”, then coping with cancer and treatment, slowing down because of this and aging, Allowing God and people into my life and ministry.
What is the best advice you would pass on to future seminarians?
We are ministers not messiahs.
What are your personal hopes for the future?
A full and fruitful retirement after Easter 2011
What are your personal hopes for the future of the Church in Australia?
Let’s continue to be an AUSTRALIAN CHURCH coping with the challenges of TODAY.
Who has been the most influential person in your life?
My family especially my mother who had a very open faith to other Christian faiths.
What was the last book you read or movie you saw?
Book: The Street Boys by Lorenza Carcaterra
Movie: Bran Nue Day
Your favourite travel destination?
Vietnam
What hobbies/pastimes are important to you?
Gardening and “The Pub”
A bit of fun – what would you like to the inscription on your headstone to read?
“Lived his life with THE Spirit!
