Meekatharra, Western Australia.

This Patrol covers an area of approximately 500,000 square kilometres and is one of our largest patrols, with the base in Meekatharra.

Its boundaries are Kumarina Roadhouse in the north-east across to Mt Augustus Station in the north west; Murchison Roadhouse and Yallalong in the west, Yalgoo, Paynes Find to Bibijy Station (the southern most point of the patrol) and from there heading north-east towards Leonora and further north to Wiluna.

The Patrol has a number of small townships within its bounds including Meekatharra (shire population 800), Mt Magnet (shire population 750), Sandstone and Yalgoo (population 50 - 150), Wiluna (population 200). The township of Wiluna is a special place as it has become a community where many Aboriginal desert clans have settled.

Some towns are experiencing population decline as mining companies fly in and fly out their employees.

Some of the stations have diversified their operations to maintain viability. These include bio-organic beef production, station stay tourism, orchards including table grapes and the harvesting and sale of sandalwood.

The first "missionary" was sent to Wiluna in 1930 and the first Patrol Padre was appointed to Meekatharra soon after that. There are 130 stations and various mining operations and the Patrol Minister tries to keep in contact as much as possible - providing pastoral care, worship services, funerals, weddings, counselling and support, together with a simple hand of friendship.