The Bush Missionary Society

Humble Beginnings 

As with many of the world’s missionary endeavours, The Bush Missionary Society had a very humble beginning. Eight young men congregated in Castlereagh Street in Sydney with a conviction to reach ‘the bush’ with the message of the Gospel. They made plans to go east as far as Coogee and also penetrate the west as far as Fivedock and by visitation to both public and private venues to call men and women, boys and girls to repentance and faith in The Lord Jesus Christ. This goal was achieved through the distribution of tracts and copies of the scriptures.

Spreading The Word

The Mission and its work grew quickly, spreading along the coast, and westward to Bourke and Broken Hill. The penetration into these regions was done on horseback with supplies and gospel tracts and copies of the scriptures. Horse-drawn carts later supplied a greater carrying capacity and protection from the elements of weather. With the advent of the automobile, vans proudly displaying ‘The Bush Missionary Society’ on the sides were on the road. They would travel to remote homesteads, towns, schools and homes, teaching and distributing the scriptures. The growing populations of ‘bush’ communities were their mission fields.

Funding Struggles

The Mission received support from city-based churches, organisations and individuals, but over time the team of faithful workers began to struggle. A solution for funding needed to be found to allow the Mission to maintain independence and preach the Gospel of Grace according to their beliefs as conservative, reformed evangelicals.

Finding a Home at Burrill Lake

In 1956, after 100 years in service, a site was selected for the present day Burrill Pines under the leadership of Mr. R. S. Moulton, Mr. and Mrs. R.J. Lawlor. Two motel rooms were constructed as the first phase of seeking to financially aid the 43 field workers travelling the country roads of eastern Australia. At this time, The Bush Missionary Society had an established field centre at Bourke, which reached the communities of western Queensland. In the Ulladulla district, the Mission found a partner and friend in the local Anglican minister, Rev. Arthur Kimmorley, who helped establish the work in Burrill Lake. He could often be found on the site with his sleeves rolled up, with a pick and shovel in his hands digging out tree stumps and doing other back-breaking tasks.

Opening of Lagoon Point Conference Centre

In the early 1960’s, Peter and Evelyn Snape, along with their daughters Jennifer and Kerry, became members of the team. Peter had a previous connection to Burrill Pines when he answered an advertisement in the local paper for a tree to be cut down on the site. Reg. Lawlor, the site manager and secretary of the mission, considered that Peter looked too young to be competent for the task, and so gave the job to someone else. At the time, Peter was working as a professional logger, cutting hardwood timber in the local forests. In 1969, Lagoon Point Conference Centre was opened as the need for accommodation in the district increased. Kerry helped on the site and recalls driving guests from the office at the motel to the conference centre on the private dirt road in an FJ Holden at 12 years old.

Busy Ministries

Peter and Evelyn were very active in local ministry through the activities of the Mission and on the site. Peter began with the Boys Brigade in 1965 and became Captain in 1970. Evelyn helped with the weekly Ladies’s meetings, Bible study groups, and primary and high school scripture lessons. In 1981, Peter and Evelyn took over the management of Burrill Pines. Up until their retirement in 1998, Burrill Pines was a haven for women’s ministry, house parties and the much loved ‘Sunday evenings around God’s word’ conducted on site.

The Team Expanded

In 1987, Les and Kerry Stewart came to serve with The Bush Missionary Society with their two young children Luke and Amy. They were living on site at the conference centre, assisting Peter and Evelyn in operating the complex. The team was busy, working long days to maintain and manage Burrill Pines. They pushed through tough times when the budget was tight and facility upgrades and maintenance was required. Holiday seasons saw the pace of life rapidly increase. 

Maintaining the Centre

Peter and Evelyn cooked breakfast in the early mornings and kept the office open in the late evenings. Les and Kerry went through the daily grind of waking up to clean the amenities blocks and drive around emptying the 50 garbage bins into the trailer to take to the Ulladulla tip. They would return to drop off the daily washing and clean the amenities blocks again. In the afternoon, they conducted a Christian program for young children. After cleaning the amenities block once again, they ran an activity for teens and preached on Sunday nights at the ‘camp service’. The lack of funds meant occasionally mowing the 7-acre site with a hand-push mower, when the old ride-on mower broke down. Buildings were painted, renovated and reroofed. Halls were constructed and fences were built to better organise the site. During the garbage run, Les would teach the kids Bible verses and reward those who could remember them well with a trip from the Conference Centre to the Motel on the back of the ute while others needed to walk.

Dedicated Staff of the Pines

When Peter and Evelyn retired in 1998, Gary and Pauline Stewart came to serve at Burrill Pines as Motel managers, serving for 12 years. During this time, Geoff and Martha Boye and their family joined the team for 5 years before attending Bible College and serving with CMS in Tanzania. In 2012, Nathan and Lauren Ross joined the Mission, alongside Craig and Emily Pacey and their families. Frank and Marita Williams, Roy and Darlene Dallos, Wayne and Rose Smith, and Robbie and Celeste Luscombe have all served at Burrill Pines at different times. Les and Kerry served with the Mission for over 30 years.

Big Changes and Tough Times 

In 2019, Nathan Ross was handed the reins from Les Stewart. Nathan and Lauren Ross served alongside Angelo and Sharon Porcu, who joined the team in 2017.

In the summer of 2019/2020, Bush fires threatened Burrill Pines in all directions for 75 days, only to be spared by a change in wind direction. The ramifications of COVID-19 over many months saw the mission and local area struggle. These events are a testament to our God who provides all our needs according to His riches in glory. The site requires constant maintenance and upgrading was required in some areas of the site. Nathan, being a licensed Electrician, was very handy when renovating the Motel and Campground amenities.

Recent Ministries

The Lagoon Point Conference Centre and campground continues to cater to many schools, churches, leadership groups, Christian Surfers/Board Riders, Aboriginal study groups, Charity Groups, Scouts and other community groups. The Motel provides income as well as emergency housing to those in need and the team are blessed by the friendships created.

The work of The Bush Missionary Society continued as Angelo and Les preached in churches at Tuross, Bateman’s Bay and Moruya. Angelo and Sharon conducted weekly bible studies and the staff served in ministries at the local Anglican Church. Angelo and Sharon finished up in early 2023 after many years of service.

The Future of Burrill Pines

The Mission has taken many forms in its service over the years; we currently have the job of upgrading and renovating the site as funds permit. We are currently have a D/A approval to upgrade the Lagoon Point Conference Centre as a large structural crack has developed in the building. The D/A will allow us to rebuild the kitchen, amenities and add an outdoor eating area which will further enhance the facilities here. This will be undertaken as soon as funds allow. More than ever, we can see each day a greater need for the Gospel of Jesus Christ to be communicated here on the South Coast. Burrill Pines, as part of The Bush Missionary Society, has a unique and vital role to play in the proclamation of the Gospel of Grace among country people in contemporary Australia.