Ministry, doctrine and dodging the odd cricket ball might sound heavy going for an 81-year-old, but for Paul Mahaffey, they have been part of everyday life for the past two years.

Mr Mahaffey expects to graduate in March next year with a Diploma of Bible and Ministry, and as he receives his certificate, he will be the oldest student ever to graduate from the college.

He admits that life as a student has had its challenges, but says he has been determined to follow the course through to the end.

"I sometimes wonder why I'm here, but if you're not an old 80, you should be doing something useful,” he says.

"My memory's not as good as it used to be, which makes exams more difficult, but it was my choice to go through with this, so I can't blame anybody for that!”

However he adds that there have been blessings as well, with food and fellowship being some of the highlights of his time at Moore.

"Everyone has been kind and I've been welcomed as an individual," he says.

"My children (Andrew and Ruth) had always told me the meals were great, but they were better than expected " it's worth going just for the meals!"

Determination beats disappointment

It was the hope of becoming a deacon that first led Mr Mahaffey to start the Diploma of Bible & Ministry course, with a view to boosting his ministry at Long Bay Jail, where he has visited inmates for over 20 years.

However the end of his first year brought the news that Mr Mahaffey could not be deaconed, due to his age.

This did not deter Mr Mahaffey, and he decided that "having started this course, I should finish it".

He says his diploma will better equip him for the ministry he is already involved in at St John’s Wilberforce as a licensed lay preacher.

“It will reflect in my preaching and teaching, because I have a better grounding in the Scriptures than I had before.”

And as he steps onto the podium at the ceremony, what will he be thankful for?

“That I did it, that I managed to hang in there,” he says with a smile.