Thursday, 15 May 2025

Hampton Park Uniting Church

Gary MAAS (Narre Warren South) (01:56): (1150) The adjournment matter I wish to raise is for the Minister for Carers and Volunteers and concerns the Hampton Park Uniting Church. The action that I seek is that the minister join me to tour the facility and inspect the important work the church undertakes supporting those in need in my electorate of Narre Warren South. Hampton Park Uniting Church is the beating heart of my local community, and over many years the dedicated team of volunteers and staff have supported countless people to access support services, including domestic violence assistance and food relief.

Until his retirement last year the church was led by Reverend Ric Holland, known fondly as Reverend Ric. Sadly, Ric died recently at the age of 77, losing his fight to lymphoma after a really long and tough battle. I considered Ric a dear friend, and his passing has been a loss for me and so many in our community. Ric lived a life of compassion, kindness and service. He was guided by social justice, inclusion, equality and his devout Christian faith. His work spanned 53 years of service to communities in the UK and Australia, concluding with five years at Hampton Park Uniting Church. Ric’s career began in the UK with an honours degree in theology at the University of London. He later undertook ministerial training and ordination in the UK Methodist Church. In the 1970s as a young Methodist minister in Glasgow he established and built up a community program which included the city’s first free community legal clinic, amongst other services. He was a big fan of The Who. He loved their music, and you would often hear that music played at the church’s events. He worked in radio and television, producing programs on social justice for community service volunteers throughout the UK, work which led him to be accepted into the Uniting Church in Australia in 1989. He went on to have a 15-year tenure as CEO of Melbourne City Mission as well as CEO of Lort Smith Animal Hospital. He pioneered Sleep at the ’G and helped lead the campaign for marriage equality, even performing the very first Australian church wedding under the new marriage equality laws, at St Michael’s Uniting Church. His impact has truly been extraordinary.

At Hampton Park Uniting Church Ric led a church where everyone was welcome. During Ramadan, this Christian church would even host Iftar dinners. He worked together closely with me during his time there, and we helped bring his plans to fruition and helped to strengthen the impact of the church’s services. Unfortunately Ric passed away in April, and it was two days after the funeral that he planned for himself. He almost made it – he passed away two days after – but it was a terrific celebration and he was there. His legacy is one of care, support and love, and his vision was always one of a just and inclusive world. He is a true inspiration. It was an honour to know him. I miss him. Vale, Reverend Ric Holland.