McLEAN, Robert Walker, Rev, M.A. (1867-1948)
Assembly memorial minute, 1949
Robert McLean, the fourth of eleven children, was born at ‘The Sugar Loaf, ’ Sailor’s Gully, near Beaufort, on the 26th August, 1867. His father came to Australia twenty years previously, from Scotland, where his forebears had been preachers, farmers, graziers and surgeons. His mother’s family was linked with that of Sir James Simpson, the discoverer of chloroform, and also a Huguenot nobleman, who as a refugee had fled from France. Mr. McLean’s father prospered in gold mining and bought land at Nepunga, in South Australia, later settling on the Padthaway Station, near Narracoorte.
His early education, in addition to the usual course, included Latin, Algebra, and Euclid.
Coming under the influence of the late Rev. J.J. Spalding, Mr. McLean turned towards the ministry, to matriculate from Scotch College and then to graduate in B. A. at the Melbourne University in 1892, taking out his Honours Degree the following year. Before entering the Theological Hall he served for twelve months as the home missionary at Kaniva. Throughout the vacation months of his years at the University and the Hall he continued to serve as home mission agent at Corryong, Cranbourne, Berwick and Rutherglen. His years in the Hall were from 1894 to 1896.
He was sent as exit student to Omeo, where the congregations called him as their first minister, being ordained and inducted in 1897. Four years later he was translated to Mia Mia, and in 1908 to Narracoorte, where he laboured for fourteen years, for almost thirteen of which he was clerk of the Penola Presbytery — 1910 to 1922. Also, during this pastorate he volunteered to serve with the First A. I. F., and was chaplain to the Forces in camps of South Australia and Victoria, and later saw active service in Egypt.
On the 10th of January, 1922, he was inducted into his final pastorate, at Bacchus Marsh, where he executed a full and effective ministry of fourteen years, being Moderator of the State Assembly in 1932.
Upon his retirement from Bacchus Marsh, the last and, in some ways, the most active sphere in his life began. He continued to preach, and gave himself unstintingly to the wider work and life of the Church. He become minister emeritus in 1936 and continued as a member of the Presbytery of Melbourne West, to which he had been appointed clerk in 1924, in which office he rendered competent service until 1946. He became a member of the session of Trinity Church, Camberwell. As successor to the late Donald Cameron he was for five years convener of the Jubilee Fund committee — 1936-1940. He was convener of Public Questions committee from 1942 to 1946, and was known as a valuable and active member of the Defence Forces Chaplaincy Committee.
Mr. McLean, being himself a member of a country home, gave himself to the task of the ministry, having learnt well the viewpoints and problems of the man on the land. He rose to be an ideal as a country minister, earning the gratitude of many as their beloved pastor as well as respect as their advisor in the protection and use of property.
In those latter years he served the wider Church, diligently and strenuously, to maintain a ministry of friendship and counsel to ministers and laymen who came to trust his judgment and to value his prayers and understanding. He took a most intelligent interest in world affairs, stressing that the Christian faith should be set forth in plain words. Common sense and kindly understanding characterised his public utterances.
Mr. McLean was twice married. He suffered severely from the death of a brilliant son — a house physician of the Perth Hospital. He was a husband and father beloved and revered.
He was active until the last, working at business of the Assembly, which he attended in 1948, from Monday to Thursday, May 6th, when he was, on his way home, stricken down. He passed away while the Assembly was still sitting, late on Thursday the 13th, nine months after the celebration of his 80th birthday, and having seen 50 years as an ordained minister. His influence for good will long continue throughout the whole Church.
To his widow and remaining sons the Assembly extends deepest sympathy.
Gender
- Male