MILNE, Frank, Rev, M.A. B.D. (1865-1948)
Assembly memorial minute, 1949
Frank Milne was born in Banffshire, Scotland, on the 25th August, 1865. Degrees of Master of Arts and Bachelor of Divinity were obtained at the Aberdeen University. He won high places both as a student and an outstanding athlete. He continued to be active in sport, until declining health compelled him to stand down.
At the age of 26, he was one of three Scotchmen to come to Australia under a scheme which provided preachers for the colony. In 1891 the Victorian Home Mission Committee appointed him to North Moira, where he was ordained and inducted in 1893. Two years later, he was translated to Shepparton. He married, the following year, Miss Jean McLean, of St. George’s Church, East St. Kilda.
In 1901 he accepted a call to Bairnsdale and in 1907 one to Parkville—to commence a pastorate of 32 years, throughout which he gave himself unsparingly to the witness of his Church. He had been chaplain in the Boer War, and volunteered again as chaplain in World War I, being very early in Egypt, in General No. 1 Hospital at Rainley, near Alexandria. Transferred to France, he became ill and was a patient in the Cobham Hall Hospital in 1917, towards the end of which year he was invalided home to resume his task at Parkville. In 1926, he was an examiner for the G. A. A. In 1928 he was called to be Moderator of the Victorian Assembly, a task during the depression which was most arduous. Throughout the distressed congregations of the State he discharged his office with dignity and ability. As a notable Hebrew scholar and a born teacher he enabled many home missionaries to receive sure preparation for the Hall. Many ministers remember him with gratitude for his keen and helpful interest.
He held the Certificate of Honour for the Hospital Sunday Fund, of which he was a member for thirty years. He served on committees for the Sutherland and the Carlton Homes, in the latter of which he was a Life Governor.
Scholarly attainments, pulpit forcefulness and faithful pastoral work made him outstanding at Parkville. Many University students regarded him as among the most interesting of Melbourne’s preachers. His congregation was fed with meat of the Gospel. Parishioners relied upon his strong personality, and were won by his gentleness and sincere understanding. He was the children’s friend. His generosity was frank and wholehearted. He was direct of speech, open of motive and relentless in denunciation of evil. He came down to one’s level, but only to inspire one to rise above weakness and temptation. His contacts were numerous, friends within and without his own Church, friends of no Church, but he never wavered from the fundamentals, while ever tolerant concerning the less essential. He possessed a natural wit and made his fellows feel at ease with him.
He passed away at his home in Royal Park, on the 17th September, 1948, at the age of 83.
To Mrs. Milne and her family the Assembly tenders sincere sympathy.
Gender
- Male