Obituaries Australia

A former minister of St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, who was well known and highly respected throughout the Wimmera, the Rev. Ernest George Petherick, died at St. Andrew's Hospital, East Melbourne, on Saturday. He was 68.

The late Mr. Petherick was a native of Victoria and had been trained at the Theological Hall, Ormond College. As an exit student he went to Western Australia in 1906 and under him North Perth and Maylands became full charges.

In 1910 he went to the Pilbara district in North West Australia, and in the following year was called to East Fremantle. He was invited to Boulder City in 1913, and in 1917 become a chaplain, to the A.I.F., being attached to the 5th Battalion. On his return to Western Australia at the conclusion of the war he had the honor of receiving a call from his former congregation at North Perth.

He was moderator of the State Assembly in 1921-22, and had just completed his term of office when he was called to Horsham, arriving here on August 21, 1922.

During his period here, St. Andrew's continued to progress, the present Manse being completed and opened the year following his arrival, and four new churches built.

These were Lynott Street, Horsham Dooen, McKenzie Creek and North Wonwondah. Apart from his church activities he took an active interest in public affairs. In sport, his chief interest was bowls; he being president of the Horsham Bowling Club in 1932, and club champion for four years, in 1924, 1925, 1930 and 1931.

It was in 1938 that he received a call to St. Leonard's, Brighton Beach, where he was in charge until his death; which followed a brief illness. He is survived by Mrs. Petherick and their three daughters, Lesley (Mrs. C. Emerson, Merino), Mary (Mrs. B. Waters, Sydney), and Margaret.