Deaconess Committee

Biography

In 1894 Rev WS Roland first put forward the overture to 'set apart' trained women workers as deaconesses and in 1898 six ladies were 'set apart' as Deaconesses of the Presbyterian Church of Victoria and a Deaconess Training Institution created with Rev WS Roland the first convenor of the Deaconess Committee. In 1899 Miss Pye, teacher of the Chinese School in Melbourne and Miss Macdonald, Church Visitor at St. George's Church, East St.Kilda were recognised as Deaconesses.

Convenors: 1911-1912 A Gillison (Acting); 1913 Rev WS Roland; 1914 C Neville (Acting);1915-1920 Rev WS Roland. In 1920 also Deaconesses came under the Home Mission Committee.

The Deaconess Training Institute Committee convenors were: 1921 Rev AI Davidson; 1924 Rev GM Connor; 1926 Rev J McMaster; 1929 Rev AJ Stewart; 1935-1936 Rev C Harland. The Deaconess Sub-Committee convenors were: 1921 A McCarlie; 1925 Rev GM Connor; 1926 Rev A McCarlie; 1928-1936 Rev AJ Porter. In 1937 with the change to the Deaconess Council, Rolland House Sub-Committee was formed with Rev C Harland Acting Convenor.

In 1937 the Deaconess Council was formed with Rev C Harland Acting Convener. From 1942 this included a Superannuation Fund, Deaconesses and Women Missionaries. From 1971 the Deaconess Committee administered this fund.

Deaconess Council Convenors: 1938 Rev EH McL Shugg; 1940 Rev JA Crockett; 1946 Rev FW Rolland; 1954 Rev WB Hastie; 1960-1970 Rev AC Eadie; 1971 Rev RA Blackwood; 1986 Rev P Locke; 1990 Rev Dr R Mathews; 1997 Rev T Fishwick.

In 1998 the name of this committee became the Diaconal Committee with the closure of the Deaconess Training Institute and in 1999 became part of the Theological Eduation and Diacondal Committee with convenor T S Fishwick.