SWAN, Ernest Ashby, Rev, B.A. (1885-1950)
Assembly memorial minute, 1951
Ernest Ashby Swan was born at Geelong in 1885. His father was Headmaster at the Shelford State School. The Rev. H.M. Burns was then Minister in that charge. Ashby Swan received a State School education and passed on to the Melbourne University, where he graduated as Bachelor of Arts in 1908. The following year he entered the Theological Hall at Ormond College, and completed a brilliant course in 1912. He was appointed as an exit student to Gawler, South Australia, and was ordained and inducted into this pastoral charge on the 12th March, 1913.
He returned to Victoria in 1915 to be inducted into Wallan on the 24th June. He was translated to Burnley in 1918; to Mornington in 1921; to St. Margaret’s, Balaclava, in 1924; and finally to St. Giles’, Caulfield, in 1930. Here, after 17 years, he resigned from active parish duties to be appointed Minister Emeritus within the Presbytery of Melbourne South, within which he had served for 26 years.
From 1920 to 1922 he was an examiner under the G.A.A.; from 1933 to 1938, convener of the Beneficiary Fund Committee; and was also a member of committees for Life and Work and Christian Social Order.
During the depression Mr. Swan became convinced that the Christian Church was called to a greater activity in the promotion of social justice. For 38 years of ordination he exercised a faithful ministry in parish and pulpit, and was ever eager to proclaim the Gospel of his Lord. During three years of retirement he was diligent in pulpit supply throughout the congregations. He was thus engaged at Kilmore, when he passed away suddenly, on Sunday morning, the 27th August, 1950.
To Mrs. Swan and the five sons, the Assembly tenders sincere sympathy.
Gender
- Male