PETHERICK, Ernest George, Rev (1879-1950)
Assembly memorial minute, 1951
Ernest George Petherick was born in Melbourne in 1879, and received his early education in Melbourne and Sydney. The Rev. W. Gray and J.G. Stirling were both instrumental in turning his thoughts toward the ministry, the call to which came early in life. He entered the Home Mission service in 1900, his first appointment being to Carisbrook, then as assistant to the Rev. J. Henderson then minister of the Balmoral charge. Under this appointment he preached at eleven places, in Churches, hall, homes, and in kitchens, conducting each Sunday five services and travelling 130 miles on horseback during the week-ends. He was then appointed to Raymond Island, then to Korumburra, after which he entered the Theological Hall at Ormond, in 1904.
While at Ormond, he was secretary of the Students’ Missionary Society, which supported an assistant teacher at Mapoon, as well as a native teacher on Tanna. This work was possible by means of fees received by the students for pulpit supply. Upon completing exit in 1906, Mr. Petherick responded to an appeal by Dr. Meiklejohn for men to help the West Australian Church. He was ordained in North Perth in August of 1907, and inducted to the combined charge of North Perth and Maylands. The cause at Maylands had originally been initiated by the Lay Preachers’ Association, who held first services in the Coffee Palace. Under the ministry of Mr. Petherick both the causes prospered, until in two years each place called a minister, Mr. Petherick accepting the weaker to become minister of Maylands. Three years after this settlement a brick church was built at Maylands.
In 1910, Mr. Petherick responded to the call of the outback and was appointed minister to the white settlers in the districts of Port Hedland and Marble Bar, in the vast spaces of north-western Australia. In 1913 he was married to Miss Anne Pedlow. That same year he responded to an urgent call by the congregation at Boulder City. As their minister he revived this congregation that had been seriously crippled by fire and was deeply in debt. He reorganised Youth work on the goldfields, and gave religious instruction in State Schools to 770 children. He sponsored a Scout Movement, and became the first Scoutmaster. He was untiring in the fight for local option and the change of closing time of liquor bars, from 11 to 6 p.m.
In 1910 he was appointed chaplain to the Commonwealth Forces, and in 1916 volunteered for active service. He went abroad with the first A.I.F., to Egypt and France, as chaplain of the Fifth Battalion. In 1919, he was chaplain to the 3rd A.A. Hospital at Dartford. His commanding officer testified that his whole attitude among the men was a powerful influence for his Master.
That same year he returned to Western Australia, where he received a call to his former charge of North Perth, as successor to the late Rt. Rev. Alex Crow. He was called to the chair of moderator of the West Australian Assembly, and during his moderatorial year was zealous in the causes of Child Welfare, Local Option, Film Censorship, Gambling and State Lotteries. During this year the Assembly Hall at Perth was built and opened.
He was translated to Horsham, Victoria, in 1922 and exercised a strenuous ministry throughout a large parish. Three new Churches were built, one Sunday School, a Manse and the Norman Tower added to the Church in Horsham, during his pastorate. His congregation financed the rebuilding in Korea of a Church demolished by floods. During the depression Mr. Petherick was always active in relief work. He gave of his ability and experience in civic affairs, and for a second time became 1st Scoutmaster.
In 1939 he was translated to Brighton Beach, where he was zealous for youth education, holding membership on the Councils of Presbyterian Ladies’ College, Haileybury College, St. Leonard’s Girls’ College, as well as the Melbourne Orphanage.
His work among the young created a deep impression. On mornings for religious instruction school children would assemble at the Manse gate that they might walk with him to school. He was a faithful Presbyter and was a member of 12 Assembly Committees.
He won the esteem and affection of all throughout a most fruitful ministry of 43 years of ordination. He never wished to be conspicuous, but possessed a gentle and gracious courtesy that inspired friendship. As a faithful pastor he was welcomed by the sick and aged, and pre-eminently fitted to convey Divine solace to the bereaved. He possessed the happy combination of natural endowments and cultural attainments, so that, as preacher, his discourses were marked by thoughtful persuasiveness and humble earnestness, in the pardon and peace of the Gospel Message.
After a lifetime of immunity from serious sickness, Mr. Petherick died at St. Andrew’s Hospital after a few days of illness on the 20th May, 1950.
To Mrs. Petherick and her three daughters, the Assembly tenders sincere sympathy.
Gender
- Male