BUNTINE, Benjamin Taylor, Rev, M.A. (1868-1948)
Assembly memorial minute, 1949
Ben. Buntine was born in Gippsland, at Cowwarr, on the 9th June, 1868. He was of a family of Scottish Covenanters, one of whom — Robert Buntine — was in 1666 taken captive and martyred at Rullion Green. In the early sixties of last century, two brothers — Robert and John, stalwart God-fearing pioneers — selected and settled in Gippsland. Robert became the father of Walter Buntine of the Caulfield Grammar School and Dr. Robert Buntine, practising medicine in South Africa; John, the father of three ministers and two deaconesses of our Church.
Ben was the youngest of these brothers, and towards the close of last century was engaged in the building trade in Western Australia. On returning to Victoria he settled at Coburg, and married a lady from W.A., Miss Isabella Rodgers, who proved herself a noble helpmate. In Coburg, Dr. John Mathew, M. A., discerned fine Christian character and capabilities in his young parishioner, and persuaded Ben. Buntine to train for the ministry. He was in charge of the Borung Home Mission station while preparing for entrance to the Hall, in which he studied from 1907 to 1909. During his Hall course he worked within the Campbellfield Mission. As an exit student he went to Cobram, to be ordained and inducted in December of 1909. He was translated to Echuca in 1912 and to Fairfield in 1922, there to retire from active ministry in 1938 after 16 years of painstaking service.
His ministry inspired the confidence and love of his parishioners. He displayed in every charge a decided ability for organization. Within the Borung Mission he was responsible for a new Church at Korong Vale. Mainly because of his initial efforts a new Church was built at Fawkner. He inspired the people of Cobram to erect a brick Church. His inspiring leadership at Echuca accomplished the quick reduction of a £1, 000 debt. Fairfield pays tribute to his fruitful work, three of his young men becoming ministers of our Church; one, one time missionary in New Guinea and later in the military forces, is now training for the ministry. Two of his daughters were among the girls of Fairfield in executive positions of the central P.G.F. committee.
Mr. Buntine’s executive ability was well recognized and utilized, in his appointment as secretary of the Metropolitan Presbyteries Church Extension Board. He was a member of the 3.H.’s, the Sisterhood and the Babies’ Home committees, a foundation member of St. Andrew’s Hospital committee and for four years on the committee for the Kilmany Park Farm Home, some time of which he was convener. He was also convener of the Temperance committee. He was for some time, of late, in charge of Chelsea.
Benjamin Buntine, possessing a wealth of rich experience, cast his powers into the work of the ministry. Truly generous in praise of others, he was incapable of self-advertisement, a humble minded and modest man of God. His daughter’s health brought long sorrow, but the parents accepted the will of God, so that He made their hearts well-springs of sympathy and gentleness.
Failing health, with much pain, brought his life to an end, at his home in Ivanhoe, on the 21st January, 1949, in his 81st year.
To his three daughters, the Assembly tenders sincere sympathy.
Gender
- Male