Midlands Patrol

Oatlands, Tasmania

The Midlands Patrol is based in Oatlands , Tasmania . The incumbent is Reverend Meg Evans.

One of the main industries in the area is agriculture, which supports the growing of fine wool, cereal crops, potatoes, forest logging, cattle and some poppies for medical purposes. The other main industry is tourism in appropriate seasons. There are small communities that make up part of the patrol. Some are fishing communities in the Great Lakes area, and there are hamlets associated with old timber logging areas.

St Luke's in Bothwell was established in 1831 and is believed to be one of the oldest churches in Australia . It was initially used by Presbyterian and Church of England denominations until 1891. Oatlands, formerly Presbyterian, was established around the same period and has been an active congregation although is smaller these days.

Campbell Town , established in the 1830's, was also formerly Presbyterian and has a small congregation which worships alternatively between Campbell Town and Ross. Ross, formerly Methodist, was established in the 1840's. The patrol minister acts as a resource person to the four congregations in the patrol - Bothwell, Oatlands, Campbell Town and Ross.

Meg Evans describes her role as, "working with the existing 3 congregations in 4 churches, and being the visible presence of the Church in the community, thus giving strength to each other".