THOM, Robert, Rev., M.A. (1846-1928)
Assembly memorial minute 1928
The Rev. Robert Thom, M.A., after a short illness, entered into his rest on Sabbath, January 15th, 1928. He was born at Forgue, Scotland, on December 18th, 1846. He passed from the parish school to the Aberdeen University, gaining special prizes in philosophy, and received his M.A. with honours in mathematics.
He was licensed by the Aberdeen Presbytery. He came to Australia in 1880 and some time was engaged in teaching, becoming headmaster of Geelong College under Dr. Morrison. Under Dr. Nish he opened a school in Bendigo. In 1890 he was called and inducted to the charge of Mansfield.
He took a prominent place in public affairs, and through his efforts the local library was resuscitated; there is now a good building with several thousands of books and hundreds of specimens of natural history. His monumental work in Mansfield is the High School. He went round the countryside and raised money, and one room is called “Thom Room. ” But his chief work was the Church. He built up a weak charge to a self-supporting charge. He travelled all round his large parish once a quarter, visiting his people. His lowest mileage in a year was over 3600.
His beloved partner, daughter of Dr. Nish, was a tower of strength to him. They left Mansfield with deep regret after 22 years’ faithful ministry.
He settled in Heidelberg and very soon he was helping in the church extension charge opened by the Rev. Alex. Hardie. A church was built and a library opened for the people and children, and soon 600 volumes were on the shelves. On December 18, 1927, his birthday, he conducted his last service.
He was not well known to the members of the Assembly. But it is to such men our Church owes a great debt of gratitude. His richly cultivated and many-sided mind touched life. It irradiated even the casual foregatherings of daily intercourse with a charm of old-world courtesy, kindly humour and loving sympathy. His faith was singularly simple and his life very gracious.
Through the effects of the war he lost his son Keith, and some time after his beloved wife died. We desire to express to his sons and daughters our deepest sympathy, and commend them to the God of their father and mother.
Gender
- Male