Ronald Wilson - Church and Social Leadership

Church and Social Leadership

Throughout his life, Wilson was an active participant in first the Presbyterian Church of Australia and then the Uniting Church, formed after the union of many congregations of the Presbyterian Church of Australia, Methodist Church of Australasia and Congregational Union of Australia into one denomination. He held a range of senior positions in the Church including:

  • Moderator of Assembly, Presbyterian Church in Western Australia (1965)
  • Moderator, WA Synod, Uniting Church in Australia (1977-1979)
  • President of the Assembly, Uniting Church in Australia (1988-1991)
  • Deputy Chairperson of the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation (1991-1994)
  • President, Australian Chapter, World Conference on Religion and Peace (1991-1996)

Wilson was the first layperson to be the President of the Assembly of the Uniting Church in Australia. He was particularly concerned with encouraging the broad Australian community to gain an understanding of Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history.

In retirement, he travelled widely to Aboriginal and church events, and was an active member of a refugee education scheme near his home.

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