The Mallee

The Mallee
Tatiaral Pastoral District SA

The Tatiara Pastoral District was formed in October 2002 as an amalgamation of three parishes of Pinnaroo, Keith and Bordertown. The District includes the two main eastern entrances into SA; the Mallee Highway to Sydney and the Dukes Highway to Melbourne. Agriculturally diverse: from mallee dry land farming in the north to irrigated production in the south. The District has small population centres spread over a wide area, including seven churches.

Mark and Joy Clayton have given notice as members of the BCA field Staff, and concluded their ministry in the Mallee. Mark resigned as priest in the Parish of the Tatiara and their last Sunday was Anzac Day. Supporters will know that the Society , at the request of the Diocesan Bishop was assisting Mark to provide a ministry to Southern Mallee, an area to the north of Bordertown where the Claytons lived. Mark had a particular focus to the towns of Pinnaroo, Lameroo and Murraytown and in recent times was able to arrange a coordinated mission effort with other churches which touched the hearts of many people. Travel of some 300kms was required each time Mark needed to go up to the Mallee. The Society principally provided funds to assist the Tatiara Parish release Mark to access the opportunities for pastoral ministry and undertake normal services in that District.

It is a real disappointment that Mark and Joy have decided that they are not able to continue. We understand the circumstances and ask your prayers for Mark and Joy as they seek guidance for their future. They have moved to their family home at Hahndorf. The Society has been pleased to be in partnership with the Diocese in attempting to address the need of ministry provision to an isolated and remote area of South Australia. At the time of writing no plans have been made as to how ministry will be provided to the area.

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