Barbara’s journey as a minister started as a Pastor in Hughenden and Richmond in north Queensland, where the locals didn’t really want a woman as their pastor. She and Ric arrived during a flood with no food in the house as the locals didn’t want them there. But they left two years later having made lifelong friends. Barbara told a few humorous stories of her time there. She was sometimes known as “Father”, Pope-ess or Mother Superior. Her next stint was in the Burdekin at Ayr and Home Hill;  during that time Barbara did four weeks in the USA as a New World Missioner. Also in Ayr, her husband Ric had a debilitating stroke and after 6 months training in Brisbane she became an Ordained Minister.  After being promoted to the role of Presbytery Minister for North Qld (the equivalent of a Bishop) she shifted to Townsville with Ric. She shared more humorous stories of times on Thursday Island. In 2004 Barbara and Ric moved to Caloundra and the Rotary journey began.

 

In early 2005, Frank and Les came into the pharmacy where I worked as a pharmacist, with plastic boxes and I said, 'Here come the men who don't have women in Rotary!'  As it happened, they had decided to ask women to come the following Thursday night so I went and have never looked back!  On May 17 2005, I joined Rotary because I was aware of the impact this organisation had on communities and the world. It introduced me to a new group of dedicated people both male and female and these friendships helped me through the illness and death of my husband. I have particularly appreciated sharing experiences with Rotarians around the world at our International conferences. I have stayed because I can still make a difference!

 

Barbs yearly project is to send Christmas boxes filled with toys, books, clothing, to places such as Ukraine. Afghanistan, Philippians, PNG, Solomon Islands, for the children less fortunate than our children here.