Frontier Services is delighted to welcome Tim Fischer back as its Patron, wonderfully timed for the Centenary year marking 100 years at the heart of remote Australia.
Mr Fischer returned to Australia this year after serving three years as Australian’s first resident Ambassador to the Holy See.
A long-term supporter of people in the bush, Mr Fischer this week resumed his role as Frontier Services Patron, a position that he held for seven years before he left for the Vatican.
With a firm commitment to Frontier Services’ work in delivering equitable services and support in remote Australia, Mr Fischer first became Patron in 2002.
Ten years on, Mr Fischer will join Frontier Services in celebrating 100 unbroken years of service and support for the people living in remote Australia.
The Centenary marks 100 years since Rev John Flynn presented a proposal to the Assembly of the Presbyterian Church, which resulted in the establishment of the Australian Inland Mission (AIM).
Flynn’s vision to create a ‘mantle of safety’ for the people in the outback created a network of social services and patrol ministry, which is still in operation today.
Frontier Services, the successor in the Uniting Church to the AIM, continues to walk alongside remote Australians to build sustainable communities despite the challenges of distance and isolation.
Mr Fischer will play an active role in the Centenary year, celebrating Flynn’s vision, and highlighting the hope, spirit and resilience of the people at the heart of remote Australia.
On September 26, 2012, Mr Fischer will welcome more than 2000 people from across Australia to Melbourne for the official Centenary celebration at the Dallas Brooks Centre.
Both politician and farmer, Mr Fischer, the former Australian Deputy Prime Minister and leader of the Federal National Party, has spent as many years on the farm as he did in Parliament. In 2005, he was awarded a Companion of the Order of Australia (AC).
Frontier Services National Director Rosemary Young said Mr Fischer’s empathy with the people of the outback and his love for remote Australia was well documented.
“His genuine compassion and excellent understanding of people who live in remote and isolated areas, makes him the perfect choice as Frontier Services Patron,” Ms Young said. “It’s a privilege to have him work with us.”
Mr Fischer said was a privilege to step-up for this organisation that had achieved so much over ten decades.
“Everyone should be in awe of the work of so many in outback Australia, from John Flynn and Frank Rolland to Fred McKay and many more,” he added.