The township of Birdsville falls within the Burke & Wills Patrol.

Burke & Wills Patrol

Charleville, Queensland

The patrol is based in Charleville , Queensland , and covers more than 300,000 square kilometres of south-west Queensland , west to the S.A. and NT border. The current minister is the Reverend John Case.

There are approximately 300 sheep and cattle stations, along with small settlements, oil and gas fields, as well as road maintenance camps. Some of the larger centres include Charleville, Augathella, Morven, Quilpie, Windorah, Bedourie and Birdsville.

As early as 1923, the Church was concerned to exercise some form of ministry in the area. The Birdsville hospital was opened in 1923 and the Innamincka hospital in 1924. The first patrol in the area commenced in 1927 and was known as the Frontier Boulia-Birdsville patrol. The patrol continued with these boundaries until 1941 when they were altered and a number of changes have occurred to the patrol area since that time.

John Case conducts Church services on a regular basis at Charleville and on properties at Christmas/Easter or when requested. He exercises a liturgical and sacramental ministry, along with pastoral care and counselling. John is also the Police Chaplain for the area. Time is also spent visiting the people on the gas and oil fields near the Qld/NT border.

When he is able, John will attend the "mini Schools" associated with the Distance Education programme in the area, so that he connects with families associated with his patrol.