Reverend John Hebblewhite of St David’s Church in Llandilo has celebrated an important milestone, with his 60th Anniversary of Ordination to the Priesthood last month.

The significant occasion was recognised at a thanksgiving service and morning tea, with family and friends on hand, at St David’s Church on Saturday 6th May 2023.

Graduating from St Columb’s Theological Hall in Wangaratta in 1961, Reverend John was made a Dmaceeacon in 1962 and a Priest in 1963. He began serving at St Augustine’s Shepparton in Victoria, primarily with Macedon Orthodox congregation in 1962/1963.

Reverend John would go on to serve at various churches throughout Sydney, before arriving at St David’s Church in 2003, 20 years ago.

“Since serving, I have enjoyed watching couples, who I have joined in wedlock, progress and, in particular, their children” Reverend John Hebblewhite explained to the Jordan Springs Gazette.

As well as his Ordination to the Priesthood, Reverend John has had an extensive career in Nursing. He was admitted as a Member to the Order of Australia in 1997 for his contribution to people with disability. The Spinal Injury Nurses Association introduced the ‘John Hebblewhite Award’ for Conference presentation in 2022. The Committee grants the award to a person presenting for the first time and content considered to be of high standard.

Clinical visits to share theory and practice with nurses at spinal injury units have taken him around the world.

Reverend John founded Freedom Across Australia in 1988 with travel for people with disability and also the Skoda and Tatra Automobile Museum in Oberon in 2019.

He has authored several publications, including chronicling St David’s Church with ‘Reflections from St David’s’, ‘Treasures of St David’s’ and ‘A Reed Organ: quirky but beautiful’ detailing the history of the organ at St David’s.
Reverend John continues to enjoy his time serving at Llandilo.

“Good old Llandilo has not yet been swallowed up in housing development progress” he added.

Thank you for serving the local community Reverend John Hebblewhite.