BUNTINE, Hugh Alexander, Rev , M.A. (1862-1947)
Assembly memorial minute, 1947
Hugh Alexander Buntine was born at Essendon on 28th December, 1862. He was one of a family of eight sons and two daughters. His father and mother were pioneers of the finest stamp, God-fearing and industrious. The quality of their home influence is seen in the fact that three of the sons - John, Hugh, and Benjamin, became ministers, and one of the sisters became a deaconess, of the Presbyterian Church. Of this large family only two sons remain, one of whom is our honoured brother, the Rev. Benjamin T. Buntine.
After leaving school Hugh was employed for a time by the Education Department as a junior teacher at Toongabbie. Finding that the work did not appeal to him, he resigned to take a clerical appointment at Traralgon, and afterwards at Bairnsdale. For a time he studied with the object of qualifying himself for the legal profession. But while in Bairnsdale he was greatly influenced by the ministry of the Rev. D.A. Cameron, and assisted as a teacher in the Sunday School. At this time the Eastern States were passing through a period of depression, so Hugh, and several of his brothers, left for Western Australia, where a mining boom was in full career. While on the Western Australian goldfields he gave assistance at an Evangelistic Mission conducted by the Rev. John McNeil. A little later he attached himself to another brief mission conducted by the same powerful evangelist at Fremantle.
Shortly after this he decided to return to Victoria, and prepare for entering the ministry. On the recommendation of the Rev. D.A. Cameron he was given employment as a Home Missionary, and served in several Home Mission Stations. While thus employed he studied for the Entrance Examination, and was coached in Hebrew, Greek and Latin, by the Rev. John Mathew of Coburg. Having passed the Entrance Examination, he became a resident student at Ormond College, and attended the Theological Hall in the years 1902, 1903 and 1904. Having passed the Exit Examination, he was appointed to Rutherglen. The station prospered under him, and decided to become a full charge and to call him. He was ordained and inducted at Rutherglen in 1905. His subsequent translations were to: Nagambie (1907), Dandenong (1914), Dorcas Street, South Melbourne (1924), Elwood (1927), Clunes (1937). On resigning from parish work in 1942, he was appointed a Hospital Chaplain in the Metropolitan Area (1943-1946). Ill health compelled his resignation from all work, and he died on 18th February, 1947, being in his 85th year.
Hugh Buntine served his Church faithfully and well. He was a man of deep spiritual experience and of decided convictions. He preached an evangelical message at all times, and his early experiences of life qualified him to present the Gospel to men with a sympathetic understanding of common needs. In his country parishes he took a keen interest in civic matters, and the present High School in Dandenong owes its existence in great part to him. In all his parishes he was assiduous in his attention to Presbytery work. He served on several important Assembly Committees, and was Convener of the Sustentation Fund Committee from 1930 to 1935. He was particularly interested in our Inland Mission work, and for some years was a member of the A.I.M. Committee under the General Assembly of Australia.
In all his parish work he was greatly help by his wife, who was Flora McLeod, of Wallan, and whom he married on April 19th, 1905. To her, to their two children (Hugh and Mrs. Norman Buck), and to his brother, the Assembly tenders its sincere sympathy.
Gender
- Male