SNAPSHOTS OF PARISH LIFE
The Channel Mission
In 1866 the Reverend H.D.Atkinson received his first
ministry appointment at the age of 25.
Full of energy and zeal, his appointment was to conduct mission work in
the D'Entrecasteaux Channel area south of Hobart. (Church News September 1870; CN July 1921) This included the settlement of Peppermint
Bay.
These were pioneer times.
Though the settlement at
Peppermint Bay was later only 50 kilometres from Hobart by road, in
those times there were no roads from Hobart to service the area. (A gravel road from Margate to Gordon was
completed in 1899.) Transport was by sail or steam boat, Woodbridge being 42 kilometres by sea. Much of the clergyman's travel was by
horse or shanks pony along bush tracks.
Fortunately the Reverend Atkinson was not a squeamish
sailor, or his ministry would have been doomed from the start! In addition to this, his wife and family must
also have been of a pioneering nature as they often travelled with him on his
missionary journeys, and were then billeted by some of the settlers. (CN April 1867) The Atkinson's
eventually had six children. The geographical extent of the Rev. Atkinson's
“parish” is considerable. It extended
from Crayfish Point (Taroona), to Garden Island Creek including the settlements
of Kingston; Northwest Bay; the Snug; Great and Little Oyster Coves; (Little
Oyster Cove is now Kettering); Peppermint Bay; Long Bay; Three Hut Point;
Garden Island Creek; North and South Bruny Islands; the Huon Islands and Port
Cygnet. (CN July 1921)
Read some more about the Channel
Mission in the booklet that was launched at the 125th
Celebrations by Graham Rae.
A Rector from the 1930s.
It was great to have contact from Frances Maddock, a
daughter of the Reverend Mervyn Maddock who was Rector of St. Simon and St.
Jude's Church from 1935 until 1938.
Frances and her sisters had some interesting memories of their time in
Woodbridge and also some photos to share.
Read about their memories in the booklet we will be
launching at the 125th Celebrations on November 1.
A Rector and a Poet
Did you know that one of the Rectors of St. Simon and St.
Jude's Church was a well known Tasmanian poet?
Find out his name from the history booklet!
Copies of the book are available for $12.00 posted from Julie. Contact her at julie@woodbridge.com.au to arrange to purchase your copy.
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