IRCA-Oceania exists to bring a uniquely antipodean perspective to the work of IRCA
We endeavour to encourage rural people in Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and the South Pacific to come to together to share their experiences and challenges.
IRCA-Oceania grown out of a long-standing relationship between Australian and New Zealand rural churches. Since the early 1980’s rural people in New Zealand and Australia have been linking ecumenically to support, encourage, and resource one another. The first Trans-Tasman Conference was held in Darfield, NZ in 1984, followed by Kyogle New South Wales in 1988, Waipawa, Hawkes Bay in 1992, Myrtleford, Victoria in 1996, Northland in 2000, Clare, South Australia in 2004, Nelson/Marlborough in 2008, and Atherton, North Queensland in 2012.
The last conference was held in May 2016 in Wairarapa, NZ. The theme was Life, Death, and Resurrection.
But those who drink of the water that I will give them will never be thirsty. The water that I will give will become in them a spring of water gushing up to eternal life.’ John 4:14
Conference 2020
IRCA-Oceania will hold a conference in Longreach, Queensland in August 2020. Click HERE for details.
Leadership Group
A leadership group, appointed at the Conference in 2016, has had the task of keeping the connections and looking at options for gathering four years later. The group includes:
Stephanie Clay who lives at Waikuku beach, North Canterbury, NZ – our Chairperson
Angela Dutton who lives in Wauchope, NSW, Australia – our Treasurer
Katrina Graydon who lives in Oxford, North Canterbury, NZ – our Secretary
Graeme Learsch who lives in Longreach, Outback Queensland, Australia
Robyn McPhail who lives in Kerikeri, Northland, NZ
Feel free to contact us at any time. Ideas for networking and strengthening ministry in rural communities always welcome. Or to share your stories – stories of challenge and stories of hope.
The operating guidelines for IRCA-Oceania, adopted on the 6th July 2012, can be found HERE
Links
Ruminations Journal of the NSW Rural Ministry Unit, Uniting Church in Australia
Rural Resources Anglican Diocese of Nelson (scroll to bottom of page)
Rural Ministry Unit UCA in NSW and ACT
God of the Whenua, print book by Bill Bennett, ebook
Rural and Remote Ministry Sisters of Charity
Being in Rural Areas Sisters of Saint Joseph
Articles
The Joys (and Challenges) of Rural Ministry
Outback and Country Ministries Australia
Rural Australia is worth considering
Effects of Closing a Small Rural Church
Rural churches cultivate initiatives
The Christian Faith in Rural Australia
Rural churches pose some hard questions
Archive
New Zealand’s ecumenical rural ministry newsletter: Rural Network News