After 16 years as a school chaplain, most recently at William Cowper Anglican School in Tamworth, the Rev John Jenner is to ‘retire’ by taking up a remote outback posting in Western Australia.
He and his wife Carol have accepted a position with the Bush Church Aid Society at Paraburdoo-Tom Price, in the diocese of North West Australia.
They move to their new posting in February.
Mr Jenner said there had been a long term calling for the position.
"Through 30 years contact with remote areas of Australia, I've developed a concern for, and a continuation of, ministry in those areas", he said.
On a recent trip to Tom Price, the local high school immediately offered John the school chaplaincy position.
For over four years, Paraburdoo and Tom Price have been without full-time ministry.
"Parishioners in both towns are looking for stability", he said. "One of my first tasks will be to consider ministry possibilities".
"The congregations of Paraburdoo and Tom Price are small groups of faithful people. Being "company" towns we are greatly affected by decisions made by the company.
The parish of Paraburdoo-Tom Price is located in the iron ore-rich Pilbara area of Western Australia.
The Bush Church Aid Society has been ministering to this area since 1971.
Paraburdoo with a population of 2500 has been in existence since the early 1970s and sits on the south west edge of the Hammersley Range. The township is over 1500km north of Perth.
About 80km to the north lies the older and bigger township of Tom Price.
Iron ore mines at Paraburdoo and Tom Price produce over 40 million tones of iron ore per annum.
John's wife Carol said they had thought long and hard about what they would do in semi-retirement.
"John has made significant connections with remote aboriginal communities. It's obvious he has an enthusiasm for the people and the area", she said.
The Diocese of North West Australia is the largest Anglican Diocese in the world. Its area is as large as the states of New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia combined.
