Sturt Patrol

Orroroo, South Australia.

The Patrol covers an area 150 kilometres either side of the Barrier Highway from Peterborough to Cockburn. It includes the settlements of Yunta, Mannahill, Olary and Cockburn along with the rangers at Danggali Conservation Park. The boundaries are Curnamona/Frome Downs in the north, Danggali Conservation Park in the east, Redcliffe Station in the south and Woolgangi in the south-west. These boundaries are shared with parts of the Parkin Patrol. In addition, the Patrol covers the Gawler Ranges, to the west.

The Australian Inland Mission (AIM) originally began in this region of South Australia with the appointment of the Rev John Flynn to the Smith of Dunesk Mission at Beltana in 1911. Soon after Flynn's appointment AIM hospitals were built at Birdsville, Innamincka, Beltana and Leigh Creek.

The summer months have extreme temperatures, and combined with some arid country, some of those living in the area feel and experience a strong sense of isolation from services and neighbours. People of these pastoral stations have had a long association with the land. Recovery from the recent years of drought will take some time.

Along with general pastoral care, the Patrol Minister conducts funerals, weddings, baptisms and town celebrations in a variety of circumstances and seeks to bring something of the grace of Christ as she ministers to people. On many occasions the conversations will be long, thoughtful and much appreciated.