Brian Eccles spoke at an Ecumenical Mens' Breakfast on Saturday15th October, held in the St Arnaud Anglican Common School Hall. Despite needing to be hospitalised during the week, Brian was bright and enthusiastic by Saturday morning and gave a wonderful talk covering his childhood, his passion for sport, and then his varied vocations as police officer, probation officer and priest. He grew up in England and migrated to Australia as a ‘Ten Pound Pom’ in 1968 and found work in Tasmania as a policeman and then as a parole officer in Tasmania. His faith developed during his first wife’s illness and has grown and enriched his life since then. He was ordained as a priest in the Anglican Church in 2003. He ministered at New Norfolk in Tasmania and then South West Rocks in the Diocese of Grafton. He and his second wife Gloria retired to Tasmania but they moved to St Arnaud two years ago so they could live closer to Gloria’s sister. Brian now worships and takes his turn in the ministry team at the St Arnaud Church of Christ.
A cooked breakfast was served with all the trimmings and the conversation flowed. The consensus was that future breakfast get-togethers would be welcomed.