History
The Bush Church Aid Society (BCA) was born out of a vision to provide pastoral and spiritual care for the original inhabitants and the new settlers in remote areas of Australia. Its role grew and developed as different needs arose. Over many years BCA has taken responsibility for ministries such as: flying padres, church services, children's hostels, religious education, family counselling, welfare and medical services, as well as simply being a presence for people cut off from family, friends and other support systems. Today, the Society continues to adapt its ministry to meet the needs of those it seeks to serve.
Beginnings
Most people think BCA came into being in 1919. That is not entirely true. The work that became BCA early in the 20th century relied heavily on the support, funding and personnel of its parent body, the Colonial and Continental Church Society (CCCS) which began life in the Swan River Colony in Western Australia in 1836.
It was in 1919 that the CCCS enabled BCA to be properly constituted and appointed its first organising missioner, SJ Kirkby. His job was to assess and further the existing work of the CCCS and develop new work in the ‘back-block’ country.
Kirkby captured the rise of national fervour of the day. He named BCA’s quarterly magazine the Real Australian and wrote prolifically about the new work that was opening up in remote Australia.
20th Century
During the 1930s, BCA’s medical ministries were established. These included bush hospitals and clinics and the flying medical service inaugurated in South Australia. Deaconesses and the van ministry began to blossom as did a network of seven hostels established in the 1920s. The hostels provided accommodation and relational support for children who had to leave home for their education.
The 1950s, and the subsequent mineral boom captured BCA’s attention and the Diocese of NWA became a mission focus for the next 40 years. The Society seized opportunities presented by the boom of opal communities such as Coober Pedy and Lightning Ridge.
In the 1970s some church planting took place in the remote-urban areas of Darwin such as Nightcliff, Sanderson and Palmerston. At the same time BCA provided Diocesan Administrators to the Missionary Diocese of Australia.
New Millennium
The beginning of the 21st Century has seen a particular focus on the ‘New Bush’ with partnerships in outer regional areas. The new millenium has also been marked by a renewed sense of the BCA mission – to bring Australians, regardless of their geographical location, into a relationship with the living God.