Katherine Patrol

Katherine, Northern Territory

Late in 2003 the small, local Uniting Church voted to close due to a variety of issues but mostly saying they were 'worn out' from trying to look after themselves with limited wider pastoral support (they had not had full time ministry for some time). However from the most recent census it indicated that there were 792 people who identified themselves as nominally Uniting Church in the region.

This figure shows that there is potential for both a faith community as well as finding Uniting Church families/individuals on the surrounding stations and communities.

Frontier Services has now raised the finance for a 3 year fulltime placement with vehicle and discussions have occurred with the Pilgrim Presbytery in regards to fostering a "faith community" in Katherine.

Rev Mitch Fialkowski was inducted into the Katherine Patrol on 26 March 2006 . He is visiting stations, communities, involved in chaplaincy as well as continuing to do some Army Reserve chaplaincy time.