Graham Thurley
7 March 2024
Along with marking his 96th birthday on Sunday 25 February among family friends and the congregation of St George’s Red Hill, the Reverend Peter Prentice celebrated 72 years since his ordination as a priest.
Those 72 years had their origins in the time spent with his father the Reverend Stan Prentice travelling around the multi-centre Parish of Condah in the Diocese of Ballarat, initially in a horse and jinker. Here Peter imbibed a sense of the importance of pastoral care which has been a mark of his 72 years.
After training at Ridley College, Peter spent five years as curate at Warrnambool with responsibility for youth work, and ministry in the out centres. This was followed by a move to the Parish of Merino and then to the Diocese of Wangaratta as youth director. His next move was to the General Board of Religious Education with the same focus, before switching to promoting the value of Group Life Laboratory workshops in parishes, as he travelled to most dioceses in the Australian Church.
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In 1966 Peter became chaplain at Trinity Grammar for 10 years, followed by 11 years at Camberwell Grammar. His ministry spanned the pastoral care of students and families, the staff, active involvement in ecumenical work, and the joy of bringing faith through education and compassion to a wide audience.
In 1987 aged 61, deciding he was ready for a sea change, Peter moved to the Mornington Peninsula and became associate priest in the Parish of Sorrento-Rye. He then had time at Paynesville, running a milk distribution business, and being available for locum work at Sale Cathedral and other Gippsland parishes. It came as a surprise to some parishioners to see Pete the Milkman in vestments, but his warm and generous nature was always welcome.
He then moved back to the Mornington Peninsula participating in the life of St Peter’s Mornington and latterly St George’s Red Hill. Again defying the urge to retire he was involved in relief and locum stints in parishes around Melbourne. He also ran the Mornington Peninsula Retired Clergy Group for many years.
Into his 90s Peter has continued pastoral care connections with people through regular visits to people who are housebound, and those in residential aged care. As he enters his 97th year he celebrates the connections he has made through his varied ministries, and in the wider community.
Having been blessed by the vicar, the Reverend Fiona Goy, Peter then gave the blessing as we concluded worship. Well done good and faithful servant.
The Reverend Graham Thurley knows the Reverend Peter Prentice through their shared past membership from St Peter’s Mornington.
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