Ballarat

Ballarat's industrial base was further developed during and after the Second World War. Metropolitan and Overseas firms were wooed with the promise of labour and cheap land on the North West outskirts of the city, an area in Ballarat Shire that had been set aside as a common at the time of the gold rushes. Much of this development was fostered by Edgar Bartrop, the Greater Ballarat Industrial Committee and the Ballarat Development Committee. The Ballarat Shire had little to do with this development, apart from expressing frustration over the fact that the State Government and the Development Committee were negotiating contracts under its nose for industrial placements on lands under its jurisdiction. The Shire eventually purchased several properties in order to take charge of at least some of the development that was proceeding within its territory.

Local firms, like M. B. John and Franklin Caravans, also throve through increased demand and creative initiative. However, many businesses, like local bakeries, needed to confront competition from Melbourne and inter-state. Others, like Lucas, were wiped out almost overnight by a combination of off-shore production by first world nations and tariff reductions by the Whitlam government. When the firm's history, The Golden Thread, was published in 1963, the business was sufficiently healthy and innovative to have drawn the attention of the international giant Courtaulds. In 1967 the printing department was shifted from the old Phoenix factory in the city centre to the common, not far from the Western Highway. Not many years after city planning controls in the 1960's forced Lucas to relocate at its new site, the business closed.

During the 1970's and 1980's Ballarat's industries were increasingly at the mercy of international markets and competition. One of the casualties was Franklins Caravans, one of Ballarat's largest industries in the 1960's. By 1990 Ballarat had ceased to be supported by a predominantly industrial base and looked increasingly to service industries, government and private, to provide employment for its population.

The common, to which Lucas repaired in the late 1960's, was also of interest to the Housing Commission, after it had constructed a limited number of dwellings at several sites in Ballarat North. An Olympic Village, constructed for the aquatic segment of the 1956 Melbourne Olympics, later became commission accommodation.

The School of Mines also shifted from the City in 1968, locating at Mt. Helen, where it became, in turn, the Ballarat College of Advanced Education, Ballarat University College and the University of Ballarat.

In 1959 L. T. Frazer was commissioned to develop a comprehensive scheme to re-order the city. One of his suggestions was the removal of traditional post-supported verandas, which he considered a danger in the era of the motor car. Fortunately, protests from the National Trust, a developing nostalgia for the past and the dawning recognition of the prestige and economic benefit to be derived from refurbishing historic buildings, including miners cottages, arrested this senseless initiative. One casualty, however, was the old Mining Exchange. Later reconstruction, however, undid the damage.

Later developments in the City area were the construction of the Civic Hall in the old Haymarket site in 1956 and the development of the Bridge Street Mall in 1981.

In the 1960's Nancy and Ted Millett renovated Montrose Cottage. This significant beginning in the purposeful reclaiming by Ballarat of its colourful past was taken a step further when the Ballarat Apex Club, after visiting a reconstructed pioneer settlement at Swan Hill, which had been begun in 1960, called a public meeting to discuss a similar project in Ballarat. The idea was taken up enthusiastically, and with the support of the Council and State Government and the project was officially commenced on the 15th of November, 1968. The site chosen was the North Normanby Mine. Beginning with the construction of a poppet head and the first few buildings on Main Rd, Sovereign Hill grew to be Victoria's premier historical tourist attraction. It has been complemented, on an adjacent site, by a Gold Museum.

Other reconstructive highlights have been the further development of the Ballarat Art Gallery, the focus given to Bakery Hill and the Eureka Stockade and the refurbishment of Craigs Hotel and of some of the older bluestone warehouses. Keith Ryall, from Creswick, has helped increase the visibility of Ballarat with his medieval castle, built on a shoulder of Mt. Warrenheip, facing the Western Highway.

Ballarat's complex of voluntary welfare agencies, with the passage of time and changing economic conditions and social philosophies, lost their traditional importance. In spite of this, however, bodies, like the Salvation Army, the Town and City Mission, St. Vincent de Paul, the Methodist Welfare Council and the Children's Protection Society, have frequently been called upon to carry some of the burden of welfare when government policies, politely jettisoning elements of economic welfare with a rhetoric emphasising devolution of authority and community self-help, have pursued, some would argue self-interestedly, a policy of economic rationalism and small government.

By 1990 South Street, which could not compete with the electronic media, was a shadow of its former self. The Begonia Festival, however, a more recent development, continued to flourish and to draw visitors to "Beautiful Ballarat". The Golden City, characterised by the continued jostling of conservative and radical traditions, was increasingly mining its past to sustain its present.¹

Wider Church Developments

An increased intake of migrants and refugees after the Second World War began to change the racial and religious configuration of the nation and led to a significant increase in numbers in the Catholic Church. All churches faced fresh challenges with the mushrooming of new suburbs.

Anglicans struggled with an increasingly out-of-date Prayer Book, with the Sydney Diocese holding firm against change.

To combat the influence of Communists in the union movement Santamaria, and concerned allies in the Catholic Church, created Christian cells, or "Groups", in the unions. The attempt by Dr. Evatt, who appeared to underestimate the Communist threat, to assert his authority in the Labor Party, to which most Catholics had, over the years, given their allegiance, split the Party in 1954, when disenchanted Catholics left to for the Democratic Labor Party.

Increasing concern for Aborigines began to be voiced by the churches in the 1930's and 1940's. Dr. Charles Duguid, an Adelaide surgeon and Presbyterian elder, was one of their most persistent advocates. The integration of Aborigines into the education system, arising from the 1937 assimilation policy, however, was so staunchly resisted by vested interests that it was not until the early 1950's that it was anywhere near complete.

In the early 1950's the General Conference of the Methodist Church organised a Crusade for Christ and a Mission to the Nation. Baptists and Churches of Christ also organised evangelistic Crusades in the 1950's. The Billy Graham Crusade of 1959 culminated these efforts.

Large Sunday schools and overflowing suburban services were a feature of the late 1950's.

While Catholic seminaries retained an earlier emphasis on devotional formation and traditional theology, many Protestant theological colleges in the 1950's and 1960's began to introduce their students to newer theological scholarship.

As national policy shifted from assimilation to multiculturalism, Methodist, Presbyterian and Congregational churches resumed union discussions, an initiative that resulted in the coming into existence of the Uniting Church on the 22 June 1977. The two branches of the Lutheran church that were represented in Australia

had come together in 1966. Furthermore, by the 1960's, as a result of immigration, Eastern and Oriental Orthodox Churches had became visible within the Australian community.

During the 1960's state aid to denominational educational institutions was introduced and the churches generally changed their minds about six-oclock closing, which they had to admit had increased, rather than reduced, alcohol abuse.

One of the most significant ecclesiastical shifts of perspective, stemming from the 1960's, resulted from the Second Vatican Council, which met in Rome in 1962. Changes in worship, theology and ecumenical relations continue to impact upon the Catholic Church and those communities in which it is placed.

The 1960's, a period of affluence and of sexual revolution, were difficult years for the church. It felt itself regarded as irrelevant by many in the community at the same time that some of its own theologians were talking about the "death of God". This dry was succeeded, in the early 1970's, by the development of the Charismatic renewal movement and the mushrooming of a variety of Pentecostal churches. It was also during this period that the churches, along with the community generally, faced the issue of Australia's military involvement in Vietnam.²

Dawson Street

Andrews Farewelled

Early in 1949, G. J. Andrews announced that he would be relinquishing the Dawson St. ministry to take responsibility for the church at Rockdale, in Sydney. During his time at Dawson St. Andrews had served as president of the Council of Churches, of the CE Union and of the Sunday School Union. Representatives of these bodies were present at his farewell on 2nd of February. It was evident that the Andrews would be missed. For her part, Mrs. Andrews indicated that it was difficult for her leaving so attractive a city, where she had made many friends. Andrews' final addresses were preached to large gatherings on the 6th of February.³

F. C. HUNTING, 1949-1975

Andrews was succeeded by F. C. Hunting, who was to remain with the church for 27 years. Frank Hunting, who had been in ministry with the Ann St. church in Brisbane, commenced on the first Sunday in March.⁴ Hunting's ministry at Ann St., which had been shared with C. J. Mackenzie, was described as "a wonderful work which proved memorable in many ways and contributed generally to [the] advance of [the] work."⁵

Easter Camp

Hunting was not at Ballarat long before he shared in the leadership of the Easter Camp of the Ballarat Churches of Christ with Harold Long and Lal Feary. A former State Youth Director, Hunting was to pour considerable effort into this yearly activity.⁶

Early Enthusiasm

With Hunting's coming, "interest in every phase of the work . . . quickened." This included attendance at morning and evening services, mid-week prayer meetings and pre-gospel prayer meetings.

Hunting held a series of "Radiant Life" meetings at Mt. Clear, for which Dawson St. was directly responsible and which all the Ballarat Churches of Christ supported enthusiastically. Plans were in hand for a similar effort at Ballarat North, where new housing areas were being opened up.⁷ The Mount Clear effort led to increased attendances, the establishment of a women's' meeting and the baptism of three scholars from the Sunday School.

During June it was reported that Hunting was preaching with great power at Dawson St. and "presenting rich teaching to a strong group of members".⁸ In October it was noted that there was a steady stream of confessions at evening meetings. By November the number of converts had reached 14.⁹

Mt. Clear

At Mt. Clear, also, there were indications that the work was continuing to pick up.¹⁰

Doveton St.

While all Ballarat Churches contributed finance and personnel to the work at Doveton St., the principal responsibility was born by Dawson St., which, during this period, increased its effort.

It was planned that the increasing impetus would culminate in a mission with Thomas Hagger,¹¹ who, that year, retired from full-time ministry,¹² though by no means from missioning.¹³ Hagger had been preaching for over 50 years.¹⁴

In October midweek meetings were commenced in preparation for the Hagger mission.¹⁵ The small building at Doveton St. was crowded for early meetings of the Hagger mission.¹⁶ Harold Long, from York St. was the song leader and the effort was supported by all the Ballarat Churches of Christ.¹⁷ However, despite this massive support from the churches, the saturation of the area with publicity, the involvement of Hunting, Mackenzie and Long in the visiting and the enthusiastic song-leading of H. Feary and H. Long, the mission was uphill work. It "proved hard

to attract the outside public." Hagger himself was far from well¹⁸ and was later hospitalised.¹⁹ He died the following year.²⁰

90th Anniversary

On November 12th, 1949 the church celebrated its 90th anniversary, when relatives of two of the pioneers, Charles Martin and Charles Morris, were present. At the anniversary services it was reported that there were in 1949 450 members in Ballarat Churches of Christ and 400 Sunday school scholars.²¹

Hunting Spends a Week at Norwood, SA

In November the officers released Hunting from responsibilities at Dawson St. to spend a week with the church at Norwood, South Australia.²²

Student Preacher for Doveton St.

Also in November, an approach was made to a student at the College of the Bible, Owen Jones, to become student preacher at Doveton St.²³ In March, 1950 he was paid £8/15/- for 5 weeks work. At that time the Advisory Board at Doveton St. asked that his services be retained for the rest of the year.²⁴ In September the Dawson St. officers wrote to the Doveton St. Advisory Board indicating that they were keen to retain Jones' services for a further year and asking for a response.²⁵ In January 1951 an invitation to a further year's service was sent to Jones via the College Principal.²⁶ In November 1951 it was decided that Jones' salary would be 57/- per week from the 1 November 1951, and thereafter, a third of the basic wage.²⁷

Emphasis on Holiness

From the commencement of his ministry, Hunting emphasised the importance of holiness in the life of the Christian.

The 1950 Christian contained an article by Hunting, "His Cross and Mine", in which he argued that, following an initial cleansing when Christ is first encountered in one's life, Christians must deal seriously with their sin. The spirit of the article was evident in the comment:

His cross was his identification with our sin. My cross is the renunciation of all right to myself in order that I may live in abandonment to God.²⁸

The theme of holiness was also emphasised at the Ballarat Churches of Christ Youth Camp at Halls Gap at Easter that year, where Hunting was one of the leaders. 80 young people attended. The focus was "upon the things of God and the daily experience of each camper with Jesus Christ."²⁹

During his years of ministry at Dawson St. Hunting was to draw

into the church a large number of people who had been in the depths mentally, emotionally and spiritually. By introducing a discipline into their lives by way of prayer, church attendance, and regular counselling sessions with himself, a loyalty to Frank and his church was developed which was hard to shake.³⁰

Under Hunting's leadership, the Dawson St. church trialed a novel evangelistic experiment, a week of meetings in which a 20 minute Christian film was followed by an address by R. J. Anderson of Geelong. The meetings commenced on March 13th, 1950. The highest week-night attendance was 135. 180 were present on the Sunday evening that climaxed the venture.³¹

Death of W. Benson

The church was saddened by the death, on April 6th, of W. Benson, who had been an officer for 50 years and treasurer for 25 and who, as a Sunday School teacher, had influenced generations of scholars. He had also been a prominent lay preacher.³²

Colac Mission

During August, 1950 Hunting conducted a week's mission at Colac, which was supported by the Ballarat and Geelong churches. A further mission was planned for Colac in April of the following year.³³

Tasmania

The church also agreed to release Hunting for a pre-conference mission with the Tasmanian churches.³⁴

Doveton St.

In August the Doveton St. church, in Ballarat North, was heartened when a young woman made a decision under the preaching of Owen Jones. Plans were also in hand for four students from the College of the Bible to conduct a mission at Doveton St. later in the year.³⁵ The most encouraging activity at Doveton St., however, was the Sunday school.³⁶

Youth Focus

An interesting feature of the young people's work in 1950 was the formation of a tennis club, jointly sponsored by the youth groups of the Dawson St. Churches of Christ and the City Baptist Church.³⁷

At the 1951 Easter Camp at Halls Gap 73 campers were present from Ballarat, Bet Bet, Dandenong and several city churches. 9 students from the College of the Bible

also took part. Frank Hunting led group discussions on "surrender" and "witness", while Harold Long took Bible studies on Ephesians.³⁸

In August, 1951 it was noted that the Sunday school had topped 100 and that there were plans in hand for the extension of boy's work.³⁹

Hunting Senses a Spiritual Lethargy

In reviewing 1950, in February of 1951, Hunting was concerned at what he discerned as a "spiritual lethargy", that he felt was holding the church back.⁴⁰

Church Anniversary

The church anniversary speaker in 1951 was G. T. Fitzgerald, whose 8-year ministry had endeared him to the church. 300 were present for the evening service.

Mt. Clear

At the annual meeting in 1951 it was reported that three young people from "Mount Clear branch school" had "accepted Christ."⁴¹ They were later baptised in the church at Mt. Clear, which was the first time baptisms had been conducted at Mt. Clear for 50 years. Over the past 50 years it had been customary for converts associated with Mt. Clear to be baptised at Dawson St.⁴² Teachers from York St. were helping staff the school.⁴³

Colac Mission

The mission at Colac, which opened on April 8th, was a joint venture of the Ballarat and Geelong churches, with assistance from Warrnambool. Harold Long from York St. was the missioner and Lal Feary the song leader. Frank Hunting and Jack Anderson, from Geelong, visited assiduously. Despite widespread advertising through the local radio, the local paper and the distribution of handbills, however, "the public did not respond." The mission closed with one decision and one re-consecration.⁴⁴ Notwithstanding this minimal result, Hunting's interest in Colac continued.⁴⁵

Returning to a Central Theme

The June 26th edition of the Christian, edited now by C. G. Taylor, who, like his predecessor, A. W.Stephenson, was from Western Australia,⁴⁶ carried an article by Hunting, "Going to School With Christ", in which the preacher from Dawson St. returned to the theme of holiness. In this brief piece Hunting commented that

In Bible school and at college we have one kind of teaching; if we are to be of much use to Christ we must submit to a further kind. Jesus becomes our teacher--we

- 333 -

become his pupil. This teaching is personal, intimate, soul-shattering and soul-building. He often has to break us, discipline us, train us, and recreate us, in his own way before we are of much use to him.⁴⁷

The Blackburn Mission

In October the church released Hunting for a two-week mission at Blackburn.⁴⁸ During Hunting's absence the pulpit was filled by W. W. Saunders, Will Aitkin of the Social Service Department, the State conference president, F. Lee, Owen Jones and A. J. Wilkie.⁴⁹ There were 2 decisions and 2 reconsecrations at the Blackburn mission.⁵⁰

Washing Machine for Murrumbeena

Concerned with grass-roots practicalities, the women's fellowship, early in 1952, raised $85 for a washing machine for Murrumbeena Home, a home for the aged under the management of the Social Services Department.⁵¹

Statistics

At the annual business meeting in March 1952 it was reported that 20 had been added to the church during the previous year.⁵² The total membership at the time was 261.⁵³

Ede McGibbony to Aboriginal Work

At the gospel service in the evening, Edith McGibbony, who had been studying at the College of the Bible, was made a presentation before leaving for Perth to equip herself for work among the Aborigines.⁵⁴ Ede studied for her teaching qualifications in Western Australia during 1952-1953, after which she taught Aboriginal children at Carnarvon, Roelands and Collie. Later, when her mother became ill, she was transferred to a school at Strathmerton in Victoria.⁵⁵

Easter Camp, 1952

Easter Camp 1952, held at Hall's Gap, again proved a success. 110 young people attended, under the leadership of F. Hunting, H. Long, D. Hammer and "Auntie Rita" Roberts. The booklet studied was Roy Hessian's The Calvary Road.⁵⁶

Special Meetings at Mt. Clear

In late April Hunting, with a continuing concern to foster the small congregations for which he and Dawson St. accepted responsibility, conducted a series of special meetings at Mt. Clear. The small chapel was filled every night.⁵⁷

Tennis Club Wins Premiership

At the same time, excitement of a different sort was generated when the tennis club celebrated its win in the C grade premiership.⁵⁸

Chapel Entrance

During July improvements were made to the chapel entrance.

Wider Involvements

During August the church was involved in two activities beyond the local district, the Fourth World Convention of Churches of Christ and the Snodgrass-Pollock Evangelistic Mission, both of which were held in Melbourne. The church was disappointed, however, that the American evangelistic team was unable to fulfil an engagement in Ballarat because of illness.⁵⁹

J. E. Webb Mission

The church was also involved in a mission with J. E. Webb in November, which was preceded by a programme of visitation. This was described as "a time of reaping through God's power".⁶⁰

Saunders' Children Involved in Tragic Accident

It was during 1952 that the church learned of the deaths of Brian and Valerie Saunders, the two children of W. W. Saunders, the previous minister at Dawson St., who were killed in a level crossing crash at Boronia. They were with a busload of campers that collided with a train.⁶¹

Membership Climbing

At the beginning of 1953 the membership had climbed to 282.

Hunting Invited to Continue

The church continued to prosper under F. C. Hunting's ministry. At the annual business meeting in March, 1953, members were advised that the church had finished the year with a credit balance of £70. Hunting was also asked to continue with the church for a further three years.⁶²

Ede McGibbony

During Hunting's absence during January Miss. Ede McGibbony was asked, along with a number of others, to fill in for him in the pulpit.⁶³

Ballarat North

In May, 1953 it was decided to subdivide the Brougham St. land and erect a building.⁶⁴ By June it was reported that plans were in hand for a new school hall at Ballarat North.⁶⁵ The church at Ballarat North, however, was thrown into mourning and the work at Doveton St. set back with the tragic death of Clem Hill, secretary and Bible school superintendent. Clem was killed on the evening of July 24th⁶⁶ on the way home from work.⁶⁷ Nevertheless, work proceeded with the building, largely through working bees supervised by the Fearys from York St.

The building used by the church, up until this time, was a rented double-fronted shop in Doveton St. This proved inadequate and a good corner allotment was purchased by the church. On this Brougham St. land two buildings were erected, a chapel 24 by 19 and a kindergarten, 19 by 19. They were opened on Sunday afternoon, December 6th.⁶⁸ In January, 1954 Dawson St. contributed £305 to the Brougham St. building programme.⁶⁹

Mr. and Mrs. Owen Jones

Mr. and Mrs. Owen Jones were to leave Ballarat for missionary service at Pentecost, in the New Hebrides, in August, 1953.⁷⁰ However, their departure was delayed several weeks to allow Mrs. Jones to recover from medical treatment.⁷¹ In the end, it became obvious that she would not be able to accompany her husband, due to continuing ill health.⁷²

Joint Tennis Club Disbanded

In July difficulties developed between the Baptist and Churches of Christ components of the joint Baptist-Churches of Christ Tennis Club,⁷³ which led, in December, to its being disbanded.⁷⁴

The Hamilton Mission

During the first two weeks of September, Hunting conducted a fortnight of special services at Hamilton, as a result of which there were "two primary decisions and many evidences of spiritual renewal."⁷⁵

Films and a Focus on Youth

Back at Dawson St. Hunting continued to foster interest in the evening service, with the use of films and with encouragement to young people to take part in the service. Rich Cartledge and Betty Williams led the youth service on October 18th.⁷⁶ In January of the following year the Dawson St. Bible School boasted a record of 128 scholars.⁷⁷

Holiday Reading

Frank Hunting spent his annual holidays at Lorne during January 1954. He afterwards wrote a serialised account of the books he read during this time in the Christian. His interest in the subject of holiness was reflected in his choice of Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest and Thomas a Kempis, Imitation of Christ. Two other books, Ivor Powell's Black Radiance and We Saw it Happen, rekindled his enthusiasm for preaching the gospel.⁷⁸

Wilkie

In November, 1950 Mr. and Mrs. Wilkie toured New Zealand.⁷⁹

Early in March, 1954 a letter from Wilkie was published in the "Open Forum" in the Christian, affirming Ron Graham for the excellent way in which he had conducted the "Frontiers of Unity" segment in the Christian and regretting that Graham was now relinquishing this responsibility. Despite this accolade, however, he did not hesitate to criticise Graham for emphasising everything favourable to the World Council of Churches, while taking little note of comments critical of the WCC.

In his letter he was trenchantly critical of C. C. Morrison, editor of the Christian Century, for arguing that the treasures of all the churches should be shared with one another. His point was that this comment insinuated that each of the churches jealously guarded their "treasures", which was something, he argued, that Churches of Christ had never done. He also reacted to Churches of Christ being referred to as "followers of Campbell" and argued that "we are the inheritors of the Restoration Movement begun in Britain years before the parallel movement in the USA". In this comment Wilkie reflected an anger shared by many in the British Churches of Christ, who were indignant at the suggestion that the genesis of the movement in Britain was due largely to the initiative of Alexander Campbell, one of the pioneers of the American Disciples.⁸⁰

Wilkie was again in print, in the July, 1954 edition of the Christian, when he appealed to Churches of Christ throughout Australia to support the work of three small, but potentially significant, churches in North Queensland at Townsville, Mackay and Charters Towers. In making this appeal, he pointed out that he was speaking on his own behalf and was not representing any committee.⁸¹

Wilkie returned to a theme he had raised in March, when he commented, early in August, in the Open Forum, on the forthcoming Evanston Assembly of the World Council of Churches. He was convinced that no Churches of Christ leaders were to be involved in the Assembly. Reflecting a continuing concern with the WCC, he wrote:

. . . , when we face the cold hard facts, we can scarcely expect any better treatment. A church that advocates the literal lordship of Christ over his people, that pleads for

- 337 -

the place and purpose of baptism as depicted in the New Testament, and that actually allows unordained laymen to administer the Lord's Supper must appear to many leaders in the "great historic Churches" as just another "American freak church", . . .⁸²

R. P. Morris, secretary of the Federal Committee for the Promotion of Christian Unity, responded to Wilkie's letter, correcting several misperceptions and assuring him that leading ecumenical spokespersons within Churches of Christ were centrally involved in discussions on Faith and Order.⁸³

Renewed Emphasis on Christian Living

Hunting was featured in the Christian at the end of March, when he offered devotional comment on "How Faith Works", arguing that we need to be continually applying our faith.⁸⁴ In the May 4th edition of the Christian he suggested how Christians should approach what appear to be impossible demands made by Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount.⁸⁵ In June the Christian published another article by Hunting, in which he contended that "Christianity Begins Where Others Leave Off". He drew the distinction between what we profess and what we live, contending that there is often a time lag between our knowing that we should live a certain way and our living it. His point was that, while we cannot bridge the gap by our own effort, Christ, living in us, enables us to increasingly actualise the ideal.⁸⁶

"Wedding Bells"

In April, 1954 a "Wedding Bells" service was arranged "to remind young marrieds of their vows."⁸⁷

Minister's Salary Reviewed

In April, 1954, the board, in reviewing Hunting's salary, decided to create a car replacement fund, into which they paid £39 per annum. They would contribute to the Preachers' Provident Fund and would increase the salary by £1 per week from the beginning of April.⁸⁸

The Youens Mission

In May a programme of intensive visitation was undertaken, followed by a one-week mission with Fred Youens, minister of the Gardiner church. This resulted in 12 decisions and 12 reconsecrations.⁸⁹

Mr. and Mrs. Mark Rutherford

On June 20th, Mr. and Mrs. Mark Rutherford, American Disciples who were specialists in Men and Women's work and who had been invited to Australia by the Australian Churches of Christ, visited the church to talk with the congregation about the possibility of setting up men and women's groups along the lines of those

they had established in the US. Other Churches of Christ from Ballarat and from Maryborough were also involved.⁹⁰

Statistics

In August, 1954 it was reported that average attendance over the previous six months had been, Bible School 129 and morning worship at Dawson St., 126, Mount Clear 11 and Brougham St. 11.⁹¹ At the close of 1954 Dawson St. showed encouraging signs of progress, with ten additions to the membership. Numbers in the Bible School were increasing, due largely to the initiative of Neil and Geoff Reed. Brougham St. remained healthy under the leadership of Harold and Glad Smith. A week-night CE, conducted by the church secretary, Lloyd Morris, was popular, while the Bible School work at Mt. Clear was adequately staffed by the York St. Young People.⁹²

Renewed Emphasis on Holiness

Hunting's pulpit and personal work continued to be "deeply devotional".⁹³

In 1955 104 young people attended the Easter Camp at Halls Gap. This number was maintained in succeeding years. 108 attended the 1957 camp, which was described as "the best camp yet."⁹⁴ Hunting, who led the camp, impressed his personal style and emphasis upon this significant event in the life of the Ballarat Churches of Christ. His leadership was described as "splendid and Spirit-filled". The predominant emphasis was "unwaveringly directed towards a betterment of the spiritual life, a deeper surrender and a more vital union with Christ". The camp discussions "centred on the subjection of the self-life and will to Christ".⁹⁵

In the November 15th, 1955 edition of the Christian, Hunting, returning to a developing theme in his ministry, pleaded with ministers to recognise the importance of "Spiritual Counselling". He wrote:

The greatest need in some lives is to have a competent spiritual counsellor with whom they can sit at ease, quietly finding a solution to the problems, spiritual in origin, which are making life intolerable for them.

He went on to comment:

Ministers of long experience are often blind to the real needs of spiritual counselling in the lives of some of their people. They do not read the signs in people with need for this kind of pastoral help or, if they do see the need, they do not understand how to give the help.⁹⁶

During 1956 Hunting continued to emphasise the importance of the spiritual life. His teaching and preaching "centred on (the) need for revival in (the) spiritual life of members, personal repentance and (an) enlarged prayer life." Twelve people were attending a daily early morning prayer meeting between 6 and 7am.⁹⁷ Throughout the year prayer groups in the church continued to pray "for revival and deepening of the spiritual life".⁹⁸

Jan Hunting

Janice Hunting, Frank and Hazel's daughter, began nursing training at the Base Hospital in April, 1954.⁹⁹ Her influence soon began to result in increases to the church. Three nurses were immersed on July 10th, 1955.¹⁰⁰

Religious Films

During 1955 religious films were used extensively, their popularity as a means of communicating the gospel had been growing gradually.¹⁰¹ The Billy Graham Organisation, through its films, initially the Hour of Decision, screened at Dawson St. on May 29th,¹⁰² began to impact upon the church.

Further Salary Increase

In June, 1955 the board increased Hunting's salary to £18 per week.¹⁰³

Fostering Youth Leadership

Four young men from Dawson St. were involved in the service at Brougham St. on the 23rd October, leading the service and afterwards singing together as a quartet. Frank Hunting was encouraging the young people at Dawson St. to develop ministry skills.¹⁰⁴

Wilkie Again

In August, 1955 Wilkie spent time in hospital. He was discharged early in September.¹⁰⁵ The fact that he was aging did not diminish his fire. Returning to the theme of the World Council of Churches, Wilkie, in 1956, to balance exclusively positive editorial comment on the WCC, requested the editor of the Christian to reprint an article from the Christian Advocate, a journal of the British Churches of Christ, with highlighted the tensions within the Church of South India and the Church of England over the issue of ordination. He commented, "it is only wise and fair that the reverse side of the picture should be known by our people". The reprint appeared in the Jan 31st, 1956 edition of the Christian.¹⁰⁶

In July, 1957, Wilkie again weighed into the WCC debate, pointing out that Dr. Fisher, the Archbishop of Canterbury, had suggested that "the Pope would be an acceptable chairman of a Council of Churches". He also commented on the Roman liturgical tendencies of the Church of England.¹⁰⁷

Wilkie continued submitting articles to the Christian. In February, 1958, in "What God Hath Joined", he juxtaposed the stories of the creation of the world and the creation of the church.¹⁰⁸

Hunting Invited for a Further Two Years

At the annual church business meeting in March Frank Hunting was invited to remain with the church for a further two years.¹⁰⁹

Building Activity

The last baptisms had been conducted in the old Mount Clear chapel on May 27th, 1951. Those baptised were Lylia Henderson, Colin Hocking and Des Feary.¹¹⁰

Early in 1956 Mount Clear sought to raise money for a new building. One such function was a garden party held at Tom and Edith Henderson's home, next door to the church. This house later became the first manse.¹¹¹ Working bees were planned, under the direction of the Fearys from York St., to help construct the building. Colin Hocking drew up the plans.¹¹² Men from all the Churches of Christ in Ballarat participated in the project.¹¹³ The new chapel, opened on the 15th April, 1956, attracted media attention.¹¹⁴ It was erected in 2 days.¹¹⁵

The first wedding conducted in the new chapel was that of Lylia Henderson and Colin Hocking in February, 1957.¹¹⁶

The old chapel was demolished in 1858 to make room for a new Sunday School hall. The Mount Doran Christian Meeting House was offered to the church for this purpose.

During 1957 Dawson St. renovated the front of their buildings, which included the enlargement of the two vestries. The work was completed in November, when an electronic organ, in memory of Mr. and Mrs. E. H. Price, was donated to the church by relatives.¹¹⁷

Ashram at Halls Gap

On the Labor Day weekend in June 1956, Frank Hunting led the third "Ashram", involving ten married couples from the Ballarat churches, at Hall's Gap. The programme included counselling, study and recreation.¹¹⁸ The 1958 Ashram at Halls Gap involved 10 couples.¹¹⁹

Lloyd Morris Transferred to Taralgon

At the end of 1956 the church lost its secretary, Lloyd Morris, who transferred to Taralgon, as manager of Fidelity Trustees. He was a grandson of Charles Morris, one of the pioneers. He had been active in the church for over 20 years.¹²⁰

Manse Purchased

In January, 1957 the church purchased a property at 27 Victoria Ave. as a manse for its minister. The purchase price was £2300.

Revival

In March, 1958 the church identified what it felt were stirrings of revival. A group had been meeting for prayer in the chapel every morning for the past two years. Their numbers had doubled and there were 40 at the weekly prayer and Bible study meeting.¹²¹ During April Hunting continued to deliver "challenging messages", with an increasing number making decisions and reconsecrations.¹²² Early in June it was being reported that "hardly a week goes by without decisions and immersions".¹²³ August saw a further 7 decisions and 2 reconsecrations.¹²⁴

Living-Link Missionary

In mid-1958 the church decided to support a living-link missionary in New Guinea.¹²⁵

New Manse

During 1958 Dawson St. purchased a manse, two thirds of which was provided from a legacy from the estate of James J. Black, who came to Ballarat from Kaniva and served for a time as an officer of the Dawson St. church. He stipulated that the manse was to be named after his wife Janet.¹²⁶

Young People Involved in Evangelism

As the year progressed the Young People took an increasingly active part in evangelism, through church meetings, CE meetings and Youth For Christ Rallies. On the day of the YFC rallies the Young People prayed, fasted and went into the streets of Ballarat to ask unsaved teenagers to attend the meeting.¹²⁷

Good Companions and Explorers

During August, 1958 Good Companion and Explorer Clubs were also formed.

Miss G. Batch Resigns.

August also saw the resignation of the organist, Miss G. Batch, after 35 years service.¹²⁸

St. Arnaud

In March, 1957 the Ballarat Church discussed how they could best assist the church at St. Arnaud.¹²⁹ A suggestion by Lal Feary, at York St., that the Ballarat preachers visit St. Arnaud once a month in rotation and that once a quarter a group of young people visit the church for a Saturday Young People's rally, was endorsed by the Dawson St. board at a meeting in May.¹³⁰ During 1957 Frank Hunting, along with other ministers from Ballarat and Maryborough, assisted the church at St. Arnaud.¹³¹

Having helped out at St. Arnaud for 18 months, the Ballarat Churches planned an eleven day mission there to run from November the 9th to the 19th, 1958, with Frank Hunting as evangelist. A series of "Happy Hours" for children were organised in conjunction with the campaign.¹³²

Combined Officers Board Suggestion Rejected as Inopportune

In July, 1957 the board at Dawson St. rejected the suggestion of the Combined Officers Board that a full-time preacher be employed to look after Mt. Clear and Doveton St. It was considered to be not practical at the time.¹³³

Mt. Doran Building

In February, 1958 the church was offered a building situated at Mt. Doran by the sole surviving trustee. It was inspected by Lal Feary, who estimated that the only cost to the church would be a £20 insurance premium to cover its transportation. The offer was accepted.¹³⁴ The building was transported to Mt. Clear.

Commitment to Increased Missionary Focus

Also in February the board at Dawson St. adopted in principle "the undertaking of special missionary projects."¹³⁵ In June, 1958 the church committed itself to raising £505 per annum for missionary work. £100 was given immediately to finance construction of the first building in the New Guinea field and a further £100 was to be forwarded to the Overseas Missions Committee for literature distribution in India. The rest would go to support Harold Finger, the church's prospective "living link."¹³⁶

Tennis Courts

In May 1955 the church decided to approach the Albert St. Methodist church to determine the cost of purchasing their court.¹³⁷ Dawson St. did end up acquiring a property, because, in 1958, Peel St. wrote to Dawson St. asking if they could lease

land below the Dawson St. court to construct their own court.¹³⁸ In October Dawson St. informed Peel St. that they could develop a court of their own on the Dawson St. court property without the obligation of a lease.¹³⁹

Missionary Visitors

In November, 1958 the Ballarat churches combined to welcome Edna Vawser and Shantabai Choudhari from India. On the 26th the Dawson St. members met Rex Chamberlain, who was on route to New Guinea, and who became their living link.¹⁴⁰

Centenary Celebration

During 1959 two significant events stood out as highlights. The first of these was the centenary celebrations, that ran from the 7th to the 9th of March.¹⁴¹

Billy Graham Crusade

The second event was the church's participation in the Billy Graham Crusade in Melbourne.¹⁴² Preparation for the 1959 Billy Graham Crusade began with the launching of Operation Andrew on the 28th of November, 1958. The programme involved weekly prayer and preparation.¹⁴³

Crusade of Evangelism

As a follow up to the Graham crusades, the Ballarat Churches of Christ organised a three week Crusade of Evangelism, which commenced on May 3rd. It was preceded by special prayer meetings, sessions on the local radio station and door-to-door visitation. Frank Hunting was the missioner. The crusade made use of first class films, inspiring singing by combined adult and children's choirs and solos by Geoff Feary and Max Murray.¹⁴⁴ Colin Terry, newly appointed minister at Peel St., and Colin Thomas, minister at York St. were also involved. The meetings were held in the Lower Civic hall, where there was an average attendance of 230 each night.¹⁴⁵ During the first week "four souls" were "added to the Kingdom".¹⁴⁶ In all there were 31 decisions, more than two-thirds of these being primary.¹⁴⁷ Following the crusade, numbers at the mid-week prayer meeting at Dawson St. were in the 40's.¹⁴⁸

At Dawson St. the afterglow of the Billy Graham crusade was evident the following year in the popularity of the film, Under the Southern Cross, which was viewed at two sessions on the 9th of April by 700 people.¹⁴⁹

11 Dawson St. Auctioned

The property next to the church, at 11 Dawson St., was auctioned in June 1959, but the bidding went higher than the church's ceiling bid of £2000.¹⁵⁰

Janet Hunting to New Guinea

On August 5th¹⁵¹ "Sr. Janet Hunting", after completing a second nursing certificate at the Ballarat Base Hospital, left for missionary service in New Guinea.¹⁵² The June 13th, 1961 edition of the Australian Christian carried an article by Jan in which she drew attention to the superstition and fear of evil spirits that prevented New Guineans in the Tung area, particularly women who were at the point of giving birth, from coming to the mission hospital for treatment.¹⁵³

Wilkie Takes on Clay

Throughout this period J. A. Wilkie continued in fine form. This was evident from his spirited response to an article by Will Clay, the Director of the Social Service Department in Victoria, on the question of Capital Punishment. Clay was opposed to the use of capital punishment. Wilkie, in response, wrote:

Our esteemed Will H. Clay gets very sentimental over the feelings of a condemned murderer awaiting his just punishment! Evidently he has no tears to shed over the innocent victim, no shudder over the cruel and vicious murder, no expression of sympathy for the widow or children or parents! This is not worthy of Mr. Clay's kind heart! He sets forth the supposed case for capital punishment; we would not expect him to set forth a convincing case! In fact, he displays six straw men, and then valiantly knocks them down!

He declares that the only authority for capital punishment is the Law, which came by Moses. I am surprised that he ignores the Universal Law given by God through Noah for all mankind to observe: "Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed, for in the image of God made he man" (Genesis 9:6). . . .¹⁵⁴

Death of Jabez Wiltshire

Early in 1960, J. Wiltshire, a former minister at Dawson St. died peacefully in Hamilton Russell House, Melbourne, following surgery.¹⁵⁵

Gathering Momentum

At the annual meeting in March, it was reported that 24 had been added by faith and baptism during the previous year, which included 8 at Brougham St. Bible School attendance averaged 130. Open air meeting were being held weekly in the main street, as well as a quarter of an hour radio session over 3BA on Sunday evenings.¹⁵⁶

Lois Sonsie

During April the church was also encouraged when one of its members, Miss Lois Sonsie, who had recently enrolled as a student at the Melbourne Bible Institute, was awarded a University of Melbourne exhibition for singing.¹⁵⁷

At the Hall's Gap Easter camp, led again by Frank Hunting, six young people made first decisions and there were five reconsecrations.¹⁵⁸

"Tell Ballarat" Crusade

Following the success of the combined 1959 Evangelism Crusade, the Ballarat Churches of Christ planned a four week "Tell Ballarat" Crusade with Harold Long, formerly minister at York St. and currently Home Mission Director in New South Wales, in May, 1960. The meetings would be held in the Civic Hall.¹⁵⁹

Early in May the "Tell Ballarat" crusade was launched, having been preceded by a day of fasting and prayer. Though the weather was bad during the first week, meetings were well attended and inspiring.¹⁶⁰ Despite continuing bad weather, attendances, six nights of every week averaged 174. There were 35 decisions.¹⁶¹

Hunting Accepts a Further Term

In late July, Hunting, who would shortly complete 12 years with the church, accepted a further 2-year term.¹⁶²

Missionary Tea

120 sat down to a church missionary tea on the 27th of July, which was addressed by Dorothy Geyer from India. At that meeting, the church secretary reported that the amount given to others, thus far for the year, was £1060, of which £710 had gone to overseas missions work. Arising from a keen interest in Jan Hunting's work in New Guinea, slides were shown of the area in which she was working and the church was challenged to accept responsibility for providing a punt for work on the Ramu River. The CWEF, together with York St. ladies, had provided large quantities of hospital linen, sterile bins, a steriliser and tongs to assist Jan in her work.¹⁶³ The church also sent Jan tapes of Dawson St. services.¹⁶⁴

Extra Room at Brougham St.

In November, 1959 it was decided to add a further room to the Clyde Rd. frontage of the Brougham St. building. It was to be 15' 8" by 19'. The quote from Feary Brothers was £770.¹⁶⁵ By early August, 1960 the Brougham St. congregation had been provided with an extra room to facilitate their work.¹⁶⁶

The Mildura Mission

As early as April 6th, 1960, the church at Mildura, in concert with Red Cliffs, Dareton, Merbein and Robinvale, began planning for an evangelistic mission with Frank Hunting. News of events at Dawson St., together with the success of several evangelistic missions sponsored by the Ballarat Churches of Christ, had obviously encouraged the church at Mildura to enlist Frank Hunting's services for a major outreach effort in their district. The mission was planned for August.¹⁶⁷

Frank Hunting was pre-occupied with the mission in Mildura from August the 6th to the 20th, where he was supported, not only by local churches, but also by a sizeable contingent from Ballarat. Lal Feary was song leader.¹⁶⁸ Over the period, attendances increased from 130 to 250. There were 8 decisions and £110 was raised to cover expenses.¹⁶⁹

Sporting Activities

Like other Churches of Christ in Ballarat, Dawson St. sponsored numerous sporting activities. During 1960 a second tennis court was laid. At that time two senior and three junior teams were entered in the competition. In April, two of the senior tennis teams won premierships and one of the junior teams reached the final.¹⁷⁰

Combined CMS Rally

In June a combined Christian Men's Society rally at the La Trobe Terrace Church in Geelong, drew, not only 61 members from Melbourne churches, who travelled on a special diesel rail car from Spencer St., but also members from Ararat, Colac, Geelong and Ballarat, making a total of 180. The men from Ballarat were encouraged by meeting with men from CMS groups in other areas.¹⁷¹

Hunting Needing Guidance on His Future

In June, 1960 Hunting consulted the officers about an attractive invitation he had received from Nailsworth in South Australia.¹⁷² He asked their advice. They reaffirmed their confidence in him and urged him to remain at Dawson St.¹⁷³ In August Hunting accepted a further two-year term with Dawson St.¹⁷⁴

Undiminished Fire

In November, 1960 Wilkie, who had for some time been confined to a wheel chair after breaking his leg,¹⁷⁵ was able to attend church without needing to use the chair.¹⁷⁶

Age did not diminish Wilkie's fire. He was again in print in July 1961, criticising leaders within Churches of Christ involved in ecumenical dialogue for supposedly

remaining silent on issues on which Churches of Christ disagreed with other groups.¹⁷⁷ On this occasion it was pointed out to Wilkie that he had completely misconstrued the nature of the statement to which he was reacting. It was a draft document designed to promote discussion, rather than a definitive statement.¹⁷⁸

College Students Fund

In February, 1961 the board voted £5 each to Lois Sonsie and Lyn Westaway, both of whom were doing ministry training, to help offset some of the cost of books.¹⁷⁹ Lois Sonsie completed her course at the Melbourne Bible Institute at the end of the year.¹⁸⁰

Christian Counsellors Trained

During 1961 decisions for Christ continued to be made at Dawson St.¹⁸¹ To cope with the number of new Christians, Frank Hunting trained counsellors. In June, refresher counselling classes were commenced.¹⁸²

Half-Yearly Convention in Ballarat

In 1961 the Half-Yearly Convention of Churches of Christ in Victoria was held in Ballarat on Saturday 9th of September. The programme included a "Workshop on Evangelism."¹⁸³

Statistics

At the half-yearly business meeting in July it was reported that in the previous six months 11 had been added to the church through faith and baptism and that £1631 had been given to local needs and £971 to others.¹⁸⁴

Research into All-Age Bible School

The church had also been asked to consider commencing an All-Age Bible School. Visits were made to Rosanna and Brunswick Baptist churches where such programmes were running.¹⁸⁵

Gospel Films

Hunting was continuing to use films occasionally in evening services. In July, Faith Triumphant was screened and drew an attendance of 200.¹⁸⁶

Family Ashram

In September, a Family Ashram involving 65 people was held at Halls Gap.¹⁸⁷

Overseas Missions Commitment

During the year £150 was sent to the Overseas Mission Board to purchase an outboard motor for New Guinea and the church adopted a second living-link missionary in New Guinea.¹⁸⁸

Students Farewelled

On December 10th 9 young people, who had been studying in Ballarat and attending the church and who had completed their studies, were farewelled.

Work on the Church Buildings

During 1961 the chapel was redecorated¹⁸⁹ and the following year the church building was rewired and new lighting installed.¹⁹⁰

Sunday School Bus

The Sunday School had also experimented with using a bus to transport children from the Wendouree housing area to the school. An average of 40 were being picked up each week.¹⁹¹

Death of Mrs. Wilkie

The year closed on a note of sadness, with the death of Mrs. Wilkie.¹⁹² Mabel Helena Wilkie was a daughter of the Chapmans of Gordon. She had been baptised at the age of 14 at Gordon. Mrs. Wilkie had collected for the British and Foreign Bible Society and had taken a keen interest in the Ballarat Auxiliary's activities. She had been deeply interested in Missionary Work and was appreciated as a gracious hostess. Over the past two years she had nursed her husband, whose broken leg, the result of a car accident,¹⁹³ had taken a considerable time to knit.¹⁹⁴

Second Living Link

In December, 1961 Janet Hunting became the church's second "living link" missionary.¹⁹⁵

Teenweek

Late in 1961 the Young People met regularly to pray and plan for a Teen Crusade which they were organising for 1962.¹⁹⁶ Teenweek, sponsored by the Ballarat Combined Deacons' Board, ran from March 18th to the 25th and was a huge success. Albert Stevens, of Wangaratta, was the missioner and the venue was the lower Civic Hall. Every house in the city was circularised twice in the two weeks preceding the meetings, cars displayed stickers and calico signs, schools were supplied with advertising blotters and thousands of illustrated daily programmes were handed out in the city streets and at factory gates on the days on which the

meetings were held. Consistent prayer was offered for the meetings and counselling classes were conducted. Attendances were astounding. On only one night was the hall, with a capacity of 420, not filled. Total attendance for the eight nights was 4400. On Tuesday night the meetings needed to be moved to the Main Hall, when 900 were in attendance. On the final night there was an overflow crowd of 650, which were accommodated in a large foyer. Prayer was offered each evening during the meetings. On the final night 70 gathered to prayer in an adjacent dressing room. The crusade resulted in 46 decisions, thirteen on the final night. Thirty-five of these were first decisions.¹⁹⁷

Wendouree Project

In March, 1963 the Combined Officers Board raised the possibility of commencing a work at Wendouree, a newly developing suburb North-West of the city centre. The proponents were in favour of purchasing a site and building. Dawson St. sought to restrain their enthusiasm. They also argued that each church needed to consider the amount they were willing to contribute to such a purchase.¹⁹⁸

Graeme Jackel Engaged as Pastoral Assistant

In April, 1962 Graeme Jackel, son of Ces Jackel, then minister at Peel St., and a graduate of Woolwich Bible College, was appointed part-time assistant to Frank Hunting. His major responsibility was Brougham St. and Mt. Clear.¹⁹⁹ In February, 1962, Jackel's term was extended for a further 12 months.²⁰⁰ Further extensions were offered in 1964 and 1965.²⁰¹ Jackel relinquished his ministry at the end of 1966.²⁰² At that time leadership was given at Brougham St. by Harold and Glad Smith and, at Mt. Clear, by Howard and Iris Trezise.

NSW Ministers Refresher and Mission at Epping

Hunting was guest lecturer at the NSW Ministers' Refresher from August 27th to the 30th, after which he remained in Sydney to conduct a mission at Epping.²⁰³

Missionary Interest

During 1962 interest in missionary endeavour continued to develop. In June Janet Hunting, the church's living-link and the daughter of the Huntings, was welcomed home on furlough from New Guinea. The church also had the opportunity of meeting Dr. and Mrs. Dick Williams, missionaries-elect for India, that same month.²⁰⁴

Wilkie Reminisces

The July 17th, 1962 edition of the Christian contained an article by J. A. Wilkie, who reminisced over 70 years of church membership. Wilkie had been received into

church membership with the Church of Christ at Grangemouth, a seaport on the Firth of Forth, when he was 14. He moved to Glasgow to work when he was 20. He had been an Australian for 50 years, having arrived early in 1913. After spending several months in Melbourne, where he attended the North Carlton church, he moved to Ballarat. Mr. and Mrs. E. H. Price made him welcome and he settled into membership with the Dawson St. Church. The article alludes to significant events in his personal journey of faith, both in Scotland and Australia.²⁰⁵

Several issues later, in the 4th September issue, Wilkie was again in print, when he reviewed the traditional Churches of Christ slogan, "In Essentials Unity'. He wrote:

We thank God for the Restoration Movement. We believe that the authority of the apostles' teaching rests on our acceptance of the full inspiration as defined by the apostles in their writings contained in the New Testament.²⁰⁶

Wilkie took up his pen again early in 1963, when he took another swipe at the World Council of Churches, in a letter published in the Open Forum of the Australian Christian. He quoted from a pamphlet published by the Sudan Interior Mission. in which it was alleged that the WCC was by-passing inter-denominational mission organisations in order to conscript young indigenous congregations into the ecumenical movement.²⁰⁷ His letter prompted debate.²⁰⁸

Wilkie contributed a further letter to the Open Forum on June 25th, 1963 in which he drew attention to the fact that episcopacy, which Churches of Christ totally rejected, would be a recurring difficulty in unity negotiations. He was commenting on negotiations between Methodists and Anglicans in England and between Presbyterians, Methodists and Congregationalists in Australia, which he felt would ultimately include the Anglicans.²⁰⁹

Mission at Bexley North

In August, 1962 Hunting, in Sydney for the NSW Ministers' Refresher and a mission at Epping, conducted a further mission at Bexley North, one of the southern suburbs of Sydney.²¹⁰

5 Year Extension

It was also in August, 1962 that Hunting was offered a 5-year extension to his term at Dawson St.²¹¹

Hive of Activity

During late September and early October, 1962, Dawson St. was a hive of activity. A missionary meeting was addressed by Ted Heard, a missionary working in India. A monthly programme, organised by the young people, Challenge to Youth, was conducted by a team from the College of the Bible. A Young People's Christian

Endeavour Society was commenced, with meetings being held at 8:30 on Sunday evenings. 16 attended a 6-week Readers and Speakers training class. A Woman to Woman evangelism programme was launched with special prayer. The CWEF put on a play and musical, the proceeds of which went to help equip Miss Inez Groves. Doug Nicholls, MBE, aroused the enthusiasm of the congregation at a morning worship service, after which he addressed the Bible Class. The yearly Family Ashram was conducted at Halls Gap. Frank and Hazel Hunting, after 14 year's ministry, were invited for a further 5 years. This plethora of activities almost takes one's breath away. Reflecting on these involvements, the church must have been convinced that God was among them and working through them.²¹²

G. T. Fitzgerald at B.S. Centenary

On November 3rd the Bible School celebrated its centenary. Attendance at the morning service was 340, while, in the afternoon, 500 gathered to listen to the scholars sing. The chapel was again filled in the evening when the former minister, G. T. Fitzgerald, spoke on the theme, Your Witness for Christ.²¹³

Overseas Missions Crisis

In the May 28th edition of the Christian the Federal Board of Overseas Mission indicated that they faced a financial crisis. They were £10,000 down on a budget of £75,000. Frank Hunting wrote a letter for inclusion in the Christian, which was published as a guest editorial in the June 4th edition. With a unique inversion of emphasis, he spoke of the "Glorious Opportunity" that faced Churches of Christ, whom he felt would sacrificially rise to the occasion. Young people had trained themselves and volunteered for service. Churches needed the will to finance them.²¹⁴ The Overseas Missions issue of June 18th carried an article from Jan Hunting on "Preaching Christ on Medical Patrols".²¹⁵

Continuing Growth

During the early part of August, 1963 there were 18 additions to the membership. Attendances were also on the increase. There was an average of 40 attending the mid-week prayer and Bible study.²¹⁶

Church Family Group

August 18th saw the commencement of the Church Family Group. Made up of a nucleus of adult church members, the group was designed as an educative and outreach venture, in that it was planned to invite parents of Bible school scholars to join the original core. This venture launched the Family Adult Education programme. L. A. Trezise, Director of the Department of Christian Education within

the Victorian Conference of Churches of Christ, helped the church organise this venture.²¹⁷

Further Signs of Progress

A Woman to Woman evangelism project was also gaining results and Mt. Clear and Ballarat North were in a healthy condition.

Planned Giving

During September the church launched a new stewardship programme, Planned Giving, with Alan Avery, a field worker with the Victorian Department of Home Missions and Evangelism. It culminated in a dinner in the Lower Civic Hall attended by 270 adults. 100 children met in the Bible School building.²¹⁸ In May of the following year it was reported that this planned giving campaign, which was the most extensive in which the Home Mission Department had to that time been involved, was proving successful. Giving had lifted from £100 to £168 per week. The church had pledged to raise £24,000 over three years and already looked like exceeding its target.²¹⁹

In September, 1966 the three associated churches, Dawson St., Mt. Clear and Brougham St. were engaged in a review Planned Giving programme with Kevin Harvey, Field Director with the Victorian Department of Home Mission and Evangelism.²²⁰

Hunting Preaches Conference Sermon

Frank Hunting preached the 1964 Vic-Tas Conference sermon, in which he spoke of the importance of the local church in the outworking of the kingdom in the community. Notes of the sermon highlight the essence of the address. They read:

Inhibitions

What inhibits ordinary Christians from being the power they could in their community?

1.	Local leaders are engrossed in church organisations.
2.	We are organised and trained to meet external, surface needs, rather than deep personal needs.
3.	We allow shyness, fear, gossip, criticism, and such like, to prevent us from speaking of Jesus Christ to people in need.
4.	We are not always living at the high level Jesus Christ demands of us, so we cannot witness to his saving power in our own lives.

What we can do

1.	We can challenge our whole membership to have a daily encounter with God in prayer and Bible study.
2.	We can show people the wonderful potential of their personal lives to the Kingdom of God.
3.	We should grow spiritual fellowships which work at depth, to which people with spiritual and moral needs may come and find the concern and understanding which will help to heal them.
- 353 -
4.	We should restore the prayer meetings to the place of spiritual power in every local congregation.221

Wilkie on Evangelism

During May, 1964 there was a letter from Wilkie In the Christian in which he argued that the churches and Departments were not as committed to evangelism, to starting new causes or fostering weak ones, as was the case fifty years ago. He identified preachers as the "key" men, and went on to ask, "Do they proclaim the original gospel with a zeal and intensity that will infect our members to attempt personal canvassing?"²²²

Wilkie's tacit criticism of the current Victorian Department was responded to by B. J. Combridge, who produced figures that contradicted the bases for Wilkie's comparisons.²²³

In the latter part of the year, Wilkie's health declined and he was admitted to the Will H. Clay hospital.²²⁴

High Level of Activity

During 1964 the energetic activity of he Dawson St. congregation continued unabated. There were 60 involved in the Adult Bible School. Hunting, in association with the York St. Gospel Singers, was conducting a weekly 15-minute crusade from station 3DB at 6pm on Sunday evenings. Graeme Jackel continued as assistant, being responsible for Mt. Clear and Brougham St. Woman to Woman evangelism was proving effective and the higher level of giving was being maintained.²²⁵

Hunting Visits New Guinea

In the latter part of the year Frank Hunting visited the New Guinea mission field and was able to catch up with his daughter Jan. He was impressed by what he saw and wrote to the Christian, encouraging churches to support the extension of the work through their praying and giving.²²⁶

In March of the following year Hunting wrote an article for the Christian dealing with a young 16 year old New Guinean, named Dori, who, observing missionary carpenters, offered to help and was taken on as an apprentice. Hunting asked, "Is he opening up the way for a New Guinea version of Secondary or Technical education, from which will come other carpenters, mechanics to work on motors, new methods of agriculture, teachers, pastors?"²²⁷

The Willersdorf-Nixon Youth Crusade

In December, 1964 the church held a Billy Graham night. That same month Brian Willersdorf held a meeting at Dawson St. for all teenagers in preparation for a Ballarat Youth Crusade, which was planned for April, 1965. Early in March preparations were in hand for the Willersdorf-Nixon Youth Crusade, a combined churches venture held in the Civic Hall. Dawson St. donated £200 to the venture. 40 of the 200 counsellors, who were attending training classes, were from Dawson St. The Crusade commenced on April 25th. During the first week around 100 "received Christ as Saviour".²²⁸

1965 Annual Meeting

At the annual meeting in March, 1965 it was reported that the membership was 272. In addition, Graeme Jackel's term had been extended for a further 12 months, his task being to minister at Brougham St. and Mt. Clear.²²⁹

The Gospelaires

Early in 1965 the The Gospelaires, a singing group drawn from the Youth of the church, sang at the Begonia festival at an after-church rally at the Sound Shell.²³⁰ Throughout 1966 and 1967 the "Gospelaires" continued to be used and enjoyed.²³¹ The fame of the Gospelaires continued to spread. In 1969 they were invited to sing in Melbourne churches.²³² In March, 1970, they were featured on the front page of the Christian.²³³ It was explained that they were a singing group from the Ballarat Churches of Christ, who, in 1969, travelled over 2300 miles and sang to over 10,000 people. They had sold over 450 records and had featured in two TV programmes compered by Frank Clark, which were shown over BTV channels 6,9 and 11.²³⁴

CWF Formed at Mt. Clear

At a meeting on the 12th April, 1965, Mrs. Hazel Hunting, President of the Dawson St. Women's' Evening Fellowship, recommended that a fellowship be formed at Mt. Clear. The suggestion was endorsed. The inaugural office bearers were Iris Trezise, president, Merle Reed, secretary, Claire Elms, vice president, Lorriane Mead, treasurer, Lylia Hocking, organist and May Kilburn, hostess.²³⁵

Easter Camp Reunion

On June 19th, 120 attended a Ballarat Easter Camp Reunion. Camps had been held since 1933, and, for the last 17 hears Frank Hunting had led them. The earlier camps had been held at Learmonth and Daylesford, before being located permanently at Hall's Gap.²³⁶ Easter Camp reunions became a yearly feature of Dawson St.'s programme. The 1968 re-union drew more than 100 ex-campers, to whom John Byrnes preached.²³⁷ On June 6th, 1967 120 attended a camp reunion,

which was addressed by Bert Stevens of Manifold Heights, Geelong.²³⁸

Second Manse Purchased

In the church year, 1965-1966, a second manse was purchased at 1143 Eyre St.²³⁹

New Associate

On February 6th, 1966, the church welcomed Mr. and Mrs. John Byrnes and family, from Taree, NSW, to an associate ministry with Frank Hunting. John was to be responsible for aspects of the work at Dawson St. and for the Mt. Clear and Brougham St. congregations.²⁴⁰ Byrnes was offered a further 12-month engagement from the end of January, 1968.²⁴¹ Graeme Jackel had left Dawson St. to take up the ministry at the Wedderburn-St. Arnaud Circuit.²⁴²

Holmes Replaced by Patterson as Treasurer

At the annual business meeting on the 23rd of February, 1966 Harry Holmes retired as treasurer after 20 years service and was replaced by Eric Patterson, son of H. J. Patterson M.A., a Churches of Christ minister. Eric was chief executive officer of the SEC in Ballarat.²⁴³

Boys and Girls' Clubs

Eric and his wife were responsible for re-activating²⁴⁴ the Boys Explorers and Girls Good Companions.²⁴⁵ On October 1st, 1966 the Good Companions and Boys Explorers were involved in an Athletics Sports Day at Royal Park in Melbourne.²⁴⁶

Hunting Hospitalised

Frank Hunting entered hospital for surgery on June 21st, 1966 and made good progress. After recuperating in Adelaide, he was back in Ballarat in early August. John Byrnes filled in during his illness.²⁴⁷

Teens and Twenties

During the year, the young people of the church were provided for by a Teens and Twenties group.²⁴⁸ In June Teens and Twenties organised a car trial, involving 12 cars and 50 people.²⁴⁹ On September 25th the church farewelled Daryl Anderson, who had been called up for National Service.²⁵⁰ In July, 1968 70 attended a Teens and Twenties coffee and cabaret programme.²⁵¹

Brougham St. Ladies Celebrate Third Birthday

In June, 1966 the Brougham St. ladies had celebrated their third birthday, with 100 in attendance.²⁵²

Family Night in the Civic Hall

In September, 1966 a family night was held at the Civic Hall. Compered by Alan Rowe, and also featuring the Gospelaires, Max Murray and Geoff Feary, it drew an attendance of 300.²⁵³

Death of Frank Hunting's Father

On April 21st, 1967, Frank Hunting's father, who was 80, died suddenly²⁵⁴ at his home in Sandringham. He had been born in Ballarat.²⁵⁵

Visiting Team

In June, 24 members committed themselves to become part of a visiting team among members and friends of the church."²⁵⁶

Gospel Service Needing Support

In July, 1967 Frank Hunting sought to increase attendance at the gospel service. With his usual directness, he wrote:

Several types of meetings are being tried as substitutes or replacements for the Gospel Meetings, so long a strength in Churches of Christ witness.

Some of these substitutes are pathetic, and would seem in some places, to have screwed down the coffin lid very firmly on the Gospel Meeting as we have known it.

Other substitutes have kept the Gospel Meeting, or rather, an evening meeting functioning, but, it could hardly be called a Gospel Meeting.

Careful, honest thought, about the matter would probably reveal there is no substitute meeting for the Gospel Services.

What is killing the Gospel Meeting? All sorts of things are blamed. The motor car, TV., and almost anything in our modern way of living.

The real answer to the above question is:--The Christians are killing the Gospel Meeting. It is the responsibility of every able Christian to attend the Gospel Meeting--and it is also their responsibility to try to bring friends to hear the Gospel preached.

When this happens, there is no fear of the Gospel Meeting going out of existence.²⁵⁷

Purchase of the Block of Ground Adjacent to the Church

In August, 1967 the church negotiated with the Fidelity Club to purchase the block of land next door to the church. They offered $9,250.²⁵⁸ The land was bull-dozed

early in 1970²⁵⁹ and used for car parking.²⁶⁰

Death of J. A. Wilkie

On March 3rd, 1968, J. A. Wilkie died, a few months short of his 90th birthday, at the Will H. Clay nursing home. Frank Hunting, in a eulogy, wrote of Wilkie:

He passionately loved and served our brotherhood in Victoria. For long years he served on the H.M. Committee, and in 1932 had the highest honour conferred on him of being elected President of Conference. Throughout the years, he was a commanding presence on the floor of Conference, and an extremely wise and able debater. A man of unusual wisdom and insight, his advice was sought by many from all walks of life. He ardently sought to support evangelism of all forms, and was intensely interested in Overseas Mission work, generously supporting it. . . . Mr. Wilkie was a powerful speaker, and much in demand. He was a superb master of ceremonies and on all sorts of occasions had the exact and apt word to say. The keenness of his mind was above average and he was both widely read and travelled.²⁶¹

Easter Camp, 1968

There were 140 at the Hall's Gap Easter Camp in 1968, led by Frank Hunting. Participants came from Ballarat, Geelong, Frankston and South Yarra.²⁶²

CMF Re-formed

During 1968 the Christian Men's' Fellowship was re-formed.²⁶³

Brougham St. Closes

In July, 1968, after John Byrnes had turned down a proffered extension of his term that would have taken him to the beginning of 1970, those in leadership at Brougham St., Jim Bridson and John Morris, suggested to the half-yearly meeting that the church discontinue as from the end of 1968. This was agreed to, so long as the decision was confirmed by the annual meeting.²⁶⁴ The decision was endorsed at the annual meeting in February, 1969 and the disposal of the property was left at the discretion of the board.²⁶⁵

Mt. Clear Bible School Centenary

Late in the year Mt. Clear Bible School celebrated its centenary. Photos of Frank Hunting, Howard and Iris Trezise and Colin Hocking appeared on the front page of the Christian.²⁶⁶

CWF 21

On the 12th November the CWEF celebrated its 21st birthday, when the president, Mrs. Cottee presented to the church a cheque for $970 to pay the debt on the

purchase of a block of land, adjacent to the church, which the church was in the process of purchasing.²⁶⁷

Old Manse to be Sold

At the annual meeting in February, 1969 the board was given authority to sell the old manse at 27 Victoria Ave.²⁶⁸ It was sold in May for $7,500, the proceeds offsetting the loan on the Eyre St. manse.²⁶⁹

Hunting Offered Further Term

At that same annual meeting, Frank Hunting, whose daughter Jan was home on furlough from New Guinea, was offered and accepted a further two years ministry with Dawson St.²⁷⁰

First Deaconess

At the annual meeting, "Mrs. F. Burnham", an English immigrant who was baptised in October 1952,²⁷¹ was elected onto the board as "deaconess". For the first time in the history of the church a woman had been elected onto the board.²⁷²

Paul Burnham

In May, 1969 Paul Burnham, one of the sons of Pris and Frank Burnham, applied to the board for a letter of recommendation to support his application to enter the College of the Bible to train for the ministry. The board was happy to grant his request.²⁷³ His brother Peter was later to enter the newly established Kenmore Christian College, in Queensland, being impressed with lectures given by its inaugural principal, Dr. James H. Jauncey.

Frank Burnham

In October 1969, Frank Burnham, foreman painter at the Base hospital, wrote to the board offering to clean the church from January, 1970 at no remuneration.²⁷⁴ He continued this work, together with other maintenance tasks, into the early 1980's, when the family shifted to Melbourne.

Ted Keating

Ted Keating, Field Director with the Department of Home Mission and Evangelism of the Vic-Tas Conference, featured in two significant developments at Dawson St. in November, 1969. The first was a Planned Giving Review programme he conducted, which resulted in a 10% increase. The second was a board retreat at the Hepburn Springs Guest House on the 7th and 8th of November, which evaluated the work at Dawson St. and planned "for a positive thrust of outreach and evangelism in 1970.²⁷⁵

A Mood of Depression

At the 1970 Annual Meeting Frank Hunting spoke somewhat pessimistically about the future of the church. He argued that

there is a shrinkage in membership by quite a number of removals from Ballarat, also students leaving to go to Melbourne for tertiary education. There is no spectacular increase in replacements. Generally, the church's image is at an all-time low. Churches in "explosion" areas have a future. Some city churches have faded right out and some of our largest churches are now even struggling for their very existence. We could be somewhere in this pattern in the 70's. We will have the biggest job we have had on our hands for the last several decades. We have got to see the importance of our evangelism. Churches go or stop according to leadership. Vigorous vital leadership leads to a strong church. Where this is lacking weakness sets in. We should strike a note of loyalty to our church.²⁷⁶

This mood, together with attempts to stir, what Hunting regarded as a lethargic church, continued throughout the remainder of his time at Dawson St. and were reflected in comments at annual meetings. There were those, at this stage, who felt that he had been at Dawson St. too long.²⁷⁷

1970 Easter Camp

135 young people attended the Easter Camp at Hall's Gap in 1970. It was catered for by Mrs. Beth Thomas. Beth had been cooking for the camp for the last 20 years.²⁷⁸

Service Recognised

In May recognition was given to several people who had given years of service to the ministry of the church. Miss May Innes was honoured for having "prepared the Lord's Table for 30 years" and Mr. Eric Steel for 28 years service on the board. Mr. and Mrs. George Allen were also recognised on their retirement from the Kindergarten after 19 years' service.²⁷⁹

Miss Franklin 90

In July, 1968 Miss Louisa Franklin, who was much loved by the congregation, had several falls and needed to be admitted to the Queen Elizabeth Home.²⁸⁰ On April 26th, Miss Franklin celebrated her 90th birthday. She had been a member for over 75 years, a Sunday school teacher for many years "and a keen worker in the Dorcas Society". She had also been "Camp Mother" at Daylesford Youth Camps from 1944 to 1948. In her early years she contracted a bone disease and, as a consequence, had suffered over a long period. She had, however, through her faith, overcome this handicap.²⁸¹ Miss Franklin remained in the QE Geriatric Centre until

her death in November, 1971.²⁸²

Other Seniors

A number in the congregation were aging. In the middle of the year Jim Robertson celebrated his 90th birthday and Mrs. Gladman, who had been a member for 34 years, died.²⁸³

Mindful of the many aged in the congregation, the Christian Endeavourers arranged an "afternoon treat" for 26 members in their "golden years." Eleven of these were over 80. Some of the oldies helped with the entertainment.²⁸⁴

Continuing Missionary Emphasis

During 1967 $90 was raised to help defray the costs incurred by a work party that went to New Guinea to build a hospital at Chungribu.²⁸⁵ Mindful of their isolation, the Dawson St. church regularly sent tapes to New Guinea missionaries.²⁸⁶ In 1970 Sister Esther Gamble, a member at Dawson St., who was later to leave for missionary work overseas with the Leprosy Mission, was awarded the Matron's prize at the graduation as the "most reliable and efficient nurse over her three years training" at the Base Hospital.²⁸⁷ Later in the year Ted Mattulick, one of the members, volunteered to help with a mission at Mt. Isa.²⁸⁸ In November, 1971 the Women's Evening Fellowship raised $250 to help buy bedding for the Carnarvon Aboriginal mission.²⁸⁹ Early in 1972 Dianna Catts, from New Guinea, spoke at the annual meeting of the combined Churches of Christ in Ballarat. She was also guest speaker at the CWF camp at Hall's Gap, where 7 of the 77 women present were from Dawson St.²⁹⁰ Late in 1972 Janet Hunting arrived home from New Guinea.²⁹¹ The target missionary area for 1973 was the New Hebrides.²⁹² In November, 1970 it was announced that the Combined CWF of the Ballarat Churches of Christ had raised $1,111 to establish a new mission station at Gokto on the Keram River in New Guinea, which would be managed by Janet and Bill Buli from the New Hebrides.²⁹³

Youth Evangelism

During the late 60's and early 70's youth outreach was focussed increasingly through a new initiative, Challenge to Youth. In July, 1970 120 attended a Challenge to Youth Coffee Cabaret, 50% of whom did not attend church.²⁹⁴

While Challenge to Youth made a considerable impact, in youth evangelism, Easter camps continued to play a major role in this area. In 1971, Barry McMurtrie, who had been at York St. a year, led the Bible Studies at Hall's Gap. Graeme Jackel

guided the Juniors in their studies.²⁹⁵ 150 campers attended.²⁹⁶

In July, 1970 Challenge to Youth drew 150 to "King's Kavern" to hear Barry McMurtrie deliver a "with it" message.²⁹⁷ During September, 1971 a youth rally, which drew 70 to a smorgasbord dinner, was addressed by a team from the Melbourne Bible Institute.²⁹⁸ In July Colin Hocking, a member from Mt. Clear, supervised the preparation of the "Black Hole", an area under the Dawson St. chapel, which was later opened as a coffee shop.²⁹⁹ In August it was reported that the "Black Hole Coffee Shop is meeting the needs of outside young people and faithful witnessing is carried out."³⁰⁰ Before 1972 concluded John Smith, of the God Squad, addressed a "Challenge to Youth" gathering.³⁰¹ A further significant development was the formation of a new singing group, the Maranatha Sounds, which involved some of the Dawson St. young people, and which conducted the evening service on April 14th, 1973.³⁰²

Wider Commitments

The World Convention of Churches of Christ was held in Melbourne in 1970. 12 members from Dawson St. attended.³⁰³ Prior to the convention the church was visited by the Greenlees, who addressed the congregation. They were from Wichita Kansas.³⁰⁴

In November, 1970 the church decided to raise its giving to conference departments from $65 to $75 per week and also agreed to subsidise the ministry at Thomson by $8 per week for 1971.³⁰⁵

Schools of Prayer

During 1971 there were frequent requests from other churches for Frank Hunting to conduct Schools of Prayer.³⁰⁶

Planning for 1972

As the congregation moved into 1972 Hunting was keen to place renewed emphasis on spiritual development, which had been his central theme from the beginning. Towards the close of 1971 the church officers met with Ted Keating, of the Department of Home Missions and Evangelism, to plan a "renewal programme for 1972".³⁰⁷ The officers also decided at the beginning of 1972 that bi-monthly board meeting would be given over to discussion of "the spiritual needs of the church".³⁰⁸

Audio-visual Package on Evangelism

In 1972, with home evangelism a continuing priority, the church purchased an audio-visual package to facilitate the process.³⁰⁹ During 1973 evangelism continued to be on the agenda. A dinner was held for the officers and their wives at the home

of Mr. and Mrs. Colin Hocking, at Mt Clear, when Evangelism through House Fellowship meetings was discussed.³¹⁰

Half-Yearly Convention

In August the Ballarat churches hosted the Half-Yearly Convention of Churches of Christ in Victoria and Tasmania.³¹¹ Jim Bridson, church secretary, was convention organiser and Mrs. Hunting supervised the catering.³¹²

Death of Keith Price

In August, 1972 Keith Price died unexpectedly. Keith, a son of E. H. Price, was a beloved elder and church treasurer.³¹³ Keith had been dux of Ballarat High and had taken an engineering degree at Melbourne University. He had served as a director of E. Lucas and Co, the family business, until it was sold several years before his death. He had been elder, chairman of the board, treasurer, deacon and Sunday school teacher. An unassuming man, Keith followed the family tradition of civic service. Over the years he served on the councils of the YMCA, Ballarat Youth Centre, the Institute for Advanced Education, Christian Education in State Schools, the Avenue of Honour, the Ballarat Branch of the Red Cross and the Campbell Edwards Trust.³¹⁴

Castlemaine Anniversary

Towards the close of the year, Frank Hunting spoke at the 102nd anniversary of the Castlemaine church, where John Byrnes, a former associate at Dawson St. was then ministering.³¹⁵

Peter Burnham

On February 27th, 1973, Peter Burnham, a former teacher who had grown up in the church, who had been one of the Gospelaires and who had recently graduated from Kenmore Christian College, a Churches of Christ College in Queensland established in 1965, was commissioned as chaplain to Ballarat High School. Peter was later to be appointed Director of Christian Education in the Conference of Churches of Christ in Victoria & Tasmania. Peter was returning to his old school as chaplain.³¹⁶

Cheryl Johnson

Early that year Cheryl Johnson, another of the young people from Dawson St., entered the College of the Bible to train for the ministry.³¹⁷

Hunting Accepts a Further Three Years

During 1973 Hunting accepted the church's invitation to a further 3-year term, commencing January, 1974.³¹⁸

"One Hundred Days of Love"

Hunting returned to the theme of holiness in April, 1973. He organised a "Day of Repentance" on April 16th to prepare the congregation to work through the book, One Hundred Days of Love.³¹⁹

Extensions

Two-story extensions to the side of the church, to provide a minister's study, vestibule and internal toilets, were opened on August 4th.³²⁰ The extensions honoured Keith Price and cost $20,000. They were opened by Eric Patterson, a former member who was currently president of the Conference of Churches of Christ in Victoria & Tasmania. A plaque celebrating the work of Miss Louisa Franklin, who had been associated with the church for 92 years and had been a member for 77, was also incorporated into the structure.³²¹

Plans For 1974

November was a significant month in the life of the church. The officers, who invited Barry Jenkins, who was working with inner-city churches, to join them, spent time at Daylesford planning their 1974 programme.³²²

Pris Burnham

November was also a busy month for Pris Burnham, who was in charge of training counsellors. It was her responsibility to organise training for those who would be involved in a "Logos" Mission in the Memorial Theatre, with Gordon Moyes,³²³ scheduled for November 21st to the 25th.³²⁴ Pris was also busy at that time preparing studies, "Living or Just Existing", for the CWF camp at Halls Gap to be held early in 1974, and which was to be attended by a number of the women from Dawson St.³²⁵

25 Years at Dawson St.

On March 3rd, 1974, Frank Hunting completed 25 years as minister of the Dawson St. church and was honoured for his outstanding service.

Hunting, who had been born in Perth, entered the College of the Bible from the Middle Park church in Melbourne. He began a student ministry at Blackburn, where he continued after graduation. After a total of 9 years at Blackburn, Hunting spent 18 months at Prahran, before serving as New South Wales Youth Director for three years. In 1944 he became minister of the Ann St. church in Brisbane, where

he continued his interest in Youth Work, assisting the Queensland Youth Director, Harold Greenwood, to obtain the site of the Caloundra Youth Centre. It was at the beginning of 1949 that he took up the ministry of the Dawson St. church.³²⁶

Spiritual Battle

In his report to the board in April, 1974 Hunting, returning to parallel themes of holiness, revival and repentance and introducing a new but developing emphasis on demon-possession, contended that the "spiritual battle is still continuing" and "the time was right for a clean-up."³²⁷

Committee of Management at Mt. Clear

A Committee of Management was established at Mt. Clear following a church meeting held there on the 10th of April, 1974. The committee's task was to arrange for programmes and preaching appointments. Financial control was to remain with Dawson St.³²⁸

Shift to AM Sunday School

In 1974 the Sunday School was shifted from the afternoon to the morning. Numbers maintained.³²⁹

Renewed Emphasis on Commitment

As the 70's wore on Frank Hunting continued to stress the importance of all-out commitment to Christ. In the Christian of August 24, 1974, it was reported that "Some members have become aware of the need to make a better contribution to Jesus and His church, to offer their lives afresh to him and give 100% loyalty to Him."³³⁰

Satanic Forces

Frank Hunting, in the later stages of his ministry at Dawson St., was convinced that much that bedevilled Christians and frustrated their effort was due to the influence of satanic forces. Besides dealing with this topic in prayer meetings,³³¹ he also organised for a film on the occult to be shown at a "Challenge to Youth" rally.³³²

School of Prayer

Later in the year Frank Hunting went to Adelaide for a school of prayer and, on his return, was laid low with a virus.³³³

Presentation to Hettie Morrison

In November a presentation was made to Miss Hettie Morrison, who had been organist for the past 47 years.³³⁴

Hunting Resigns

Hunting resigned from Dawson St. early in 1975. In April it was announced in the Christian that he had accepted an associate ministry at Grote St. Adelaide, where Harold Long, who had ministered at York St., was the senior minister.³³⁵ Late in the year Janet Hunting was welcomed home from New Guinea after 16 years service.³³⁶ After 27 years, Frank Hunting preached his final sermon at Dawson St. on December 14th.³³⁷

New Ministry

Later, in June, 1975 Dawson St. church advised that they had called Graeme Chapman, then senior lecturer at Woolwich College, to minister to the church from the beginning of 1976.³³⁸ Chapman had grown up in the church at Bexley North, in Sydney, and, after graduating from Woolwich in 1963, had had ministries at Kedron, in Queensland and Hurstville in New South Wales, before becoming senior lecturer at Woolwich in 1971. His wife, Helen, was a grand-daughter of A. R. Main.³³⁹

Half-Yearly Convention

In anticipation of his projected shift to Victoria, and to give Dawson St. members an opportunity to see their future minister in action, Chapman was invited to be guest preacher at the Half-Yearly Convention of the Churches of Christ in Victoria and Tasmania, held on the 9th and 10th of August, 1975 at Warrnambool.³⁴⁰

Preparation for the New Ministry

Two events helped prepare for the ministry of the Chapmans. First, church leaders attended a Church Growth Seminar, conducted by Win Arn from America. Arn was publicising the Church Growth principles developed by Dr. Donald McGavran of Fuller Seminary, in Pasadena, California.³⁴¹ The leadership of the church then ran a seminar on Church Growth for the congregation. The second development was the organisation of a planned giving review programme, run by Trevor Giles Field Director with the Vic-Tas Department of Home Mission and Evangelism, the result of which was encouraging.³⁴²

Death of Jack Price

Before the year was out the church was saddened by the death of Jack Price, brother of Keith Price and son of E. H. Price. He died on the 14th of November, while handing a prescription to his chemist. Jack was 64 and had suffered three previous coronaries. The Price men were prone to heart conditions. Jack was Sunday School teacher, deacon and then Elder "His counsel and wisdom was constantly sought by his minister and the members of the congregation." He served for many years as

secretary, and then treasurer of the church. He was a humble and generous man.³⁴³

[BCOC 325-366]