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 have been expanded towards aspects of the Parkin Patrol as well as the Gawler Ranges . Reverend Jenny Swanbury is the patrol minister.

The Australian Inland Mission originally began in this region of South Australia with the appointment of the Revd 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 patrol area contains arid country, its summer months have extreme temperatures and for some there is a sense of isolation from services and neighbours. People on these pastoral stations have had a long association with the land and have been troubled recently by financial difficulties due to prolonged drought.

The Patrol Minister conducts services/celebrations in differing circumstances such as funerals, weddings, town celebrations and seeks to bring something of the grace of Christ as he/she ministers to people. As part of this ministry, the Patrol Minister attends the social functions held throughout the patrol area in an effort to connect with people and get to know them. On many occasions the conversations will be long, thoughtful and very appreciated.

Rev Jenny Swanbury was inducted on 2 April 2006 and is based at Orroroo.