Father Richard retires after 50 years service to Anglican Church
Margie and Father Richard Gowty with their cavoodle Barney at St Augustine’s Palmwoods ... “I thank God for the privilege of serving in this community.”
The Most Reverend Dr Phillip Aspinall, left, visited St Augustines in 2020.
Sunday January 29 will be a sad day for the parish of St Augustine’s Palmwoods as they farewell their much loved priest-in-charge Father Richard Gowty and his wife Margie.
Fr Richard had retired from the parish of St Mark’s Buderim in 2012 and was planning a life of golf, golf and more golf, though family, friends, church life and of course the Geelong Cats were hugely important.
This was not to be and he was persuaded to accept the position as priest in charge of St Augustines in 2013. This was only a part time position, but he and Margie quickly became an integral part of the loving and caring church family and many happy, busy and fulfilling years followed.
Margie took over the position as manager of St Augustine’s Op Shop after retiring from teaching at Matthew Flinders and, like her husband, loved playing an active part in the life of the church and the wider community.
“The Op Shop has been so much a part of my life and it has been wonderful to be part of the church in the community this way,” says Margie.
“The people of Palmwoods have strongly supported the shop. It has been a joy to be involved in the lives of so many people. I can’t tell you how grateful I am for this rich experience.”
Fr Richard was ordained priest in St John’s Cathedral Brisbane on St Andrew’s Day 1972, and so his retirement comes after 50 years of service as a priest.
Significantly, a wonderful service to give thanks for his ministry was held in the cathedral on November 30 last year, with people from past parishes attending.
Fr Richard’s first appointment was as a curate in Toowoomba then he served in Gatton, Indooroopilly and Buderim. In between there were stints in the UK and Austin, Texas, as well as many chaplaincies in Germany, Italy and Spain.
The service on January 29 will bring to an end a lifetime of faithful and committed service to the Anglican church and will be an acknowledgment of how much he has given to so many people over the last 50 years.
“I thank God for the privilege of serving in this community,” said Fr Richard. “St Augusti ne’s is a wonderful parish. We have loved being part of it and will miss it enormously.
“Barney will miss keeping watch at the front door and waiting eagerly for all the treats that come his way at morning tea.
“Margie will miss her close involvement with the Op Shop and all the special relationships she has developed over the last nine years. I will miss being part of the lives of those at St Augustine’s. Happily the Rev’d Deborah Bird, the rector of Maleny will now also look after St Augustine’s and the parish will be in good hands.”
• A warm welcome is extended to anyone who would like to attend the January 29 farewell service at St Augustine’s Anglican Church Palmwoods starting 8.30am, followed by morning tea.