Parkin Patrol

Hawker, South Australia

The Reverend John Dihm is the Patrol Minister based in Hawker. The patrol area covers the North-east and
North-central areas of South Australia to the Queensland and Northern Territory borders.

There is a range of small communities associated with this patrol. They include Andamooka, Leigh Creek , Maree, the Moomba Gas Fields, Innamincka, Mintabie and Marla. There are also a number of national parks in the area. The patrol contains arid pastoral country associated with harsh living conditions.

The Australian Inland Mission originally commenced in this area through the Smith of Dunesk Mission at Beltana. The Parkin Patrol was expanded from a Congregational patrol which began in the 1950s and had previously included the Sturt Patrol. Visiting of pastoral stations, National Parks, road gangs and the number of small towns in the area is important. The Patrol Minister celebrates the sacraments, conducts services as appropriate and supports the Hawker Uniting Church congregation. Much of the ministry involves spending time listening to people and offering friendship and support in both good times and the not so good times.