Junee RSL Sub-branch (RSL NSW) President Greg Zakharoff and Reverend David Hilliard.
Forty years is an outstanding time to be in anything, but for a reverend like David Hilliard, it is remarkable for all he has contributed to local communities. Unfortunately, that time has come to an end, and Mr Hilliard is now taking a well-deserved retirement.
Now David has spoken to the Junee Independent to reflect on his time past and what he plans to do in the future.
“In the various types of ministry I’ve been involved in parish-based ministry or chaplaincy, particularly uniformed chaplaincy, people there are great friends that I’ve made and I’ve journeyed with them,” he said.
“I really appreciate the opportunity to have a very varied style of ministry. Chaplain in Uniformed Services, New South Wales Police and the Air Force, but most of my parish-based ministry was in small rural communities, which were a great joy. Living and working in smaller communities, particularly with the friendships you get to make, is a highlight. Chaplaincy afforded me opportunities and life experiences that I never thought I’d be able to do.
“I didn’t even think that they would be things I’d be doing. That was one of the side benefits of those ministries, engaging with many and varied people, and I counted it as a great privilege to have just been able to journey with people even at their lowest points in their lives.
“I get bored taking it easy. I’ll still be involved in some sort of ministry. I’ve actually accepted a position to be on the pastoral care and Welfare Committee for ProPatria in Wagga, so I’ll be working with those guys and girls.
“I’ve had some discussions with some folk about staying involved with ministry at the hospital in Junee and Cooinda Court, working with oldies so they don’t get left out.
“I haven’t firmly settled on anything at the moment, but I’m just having some quiet time to think about some of the opportunities and what I’d really like to be involved with.
“With Pro Patria in Wagga, that’s a great passion. It’s again working with first responders and defence veterans, where I’ve spent a significant amount of my time in ministry.
“We bought our retirement house in Junee, and we intend to stay in Junee. We’ve made some really good friends here. We plan to stay for the foreseeable future, however long that is, I don’t know, to stay here Junee. We enjoy this part of the country.
“I was recognised with a certificate from the Junee RSL Sub-Branch during the last Sunday in July. Being an ex-service person, I’m always keen to be involved and support Remembrance Day, Anzac Day, and other significant days of remembrance for the military and the Peacekeepers’ service that we have in May.
“I’ve been told by the RSL that the Peacekeeper service will continue, which is really good that people have come on board after one or two years and are keen to support that and see it going for a period of time. I’m not sure what its life span will be. It might be 5,10, 15 years, I don’t know, but we’ll keep it running whilst there’s interest and people attend. That’s another good time of remembrance for both first responders and military people, as both cohorts have served as peacekeepers.
“I’m actually an electrician by trade, and I did my apprenticeship at the Port Kembla Steelworks and was very happy there, but the nightshift got me down. I was really enjoying that work, and moving into ordained ministry was probably the last thing that I really thought of. Here we are, 40 years and seven months down the track. I don’t regret leaving the steelworks.
“I still stay in contact with the guys, the electricians who worked at the coke ovens, which is where I was. Some of them worked for me, some of them worked alongside me, depending on what they were. I really enjoyed it, but I’ve really enjoyed the other opportunities that ordained ministry has offered me.”
Wherever David goes next, the Junee community will be behind him.
– Jack Murray
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