1928- 19th March 2013
“A man of deep wisdom and compassion”
(information collated from various sources. Acknowledging contribution from Prof Des Cahill, Religions for Peace Australia)
The Reverend (Anderson) Douglas Dargaville, Anglican clergyman, was the General Secretary of the Victorian Council of Churches from 1966 – 1982, and again for a time in 1995.
“Doug was one of the great pioneers of the ecumenical and interfaith movements, especially in his role as executive secretary of the Victorian Council of Churches from 1966 to 1982.
Perhaps more than anyone else, he laid the foundations for the organizational structure of the ecumenical movement here in Victoria and across Australia. A small man with a big vision, he brought his inclusive Anglican spirituality to the tasks at hand. With his retirement to the country town of Bacchus Marsh outside Melbourne with his beloved Lucy, his life’s work was not yet complete.
He devoted three years of his life during the 2000s to being the general secretary of Religions for Peace Australia, and was always a strong supporter of the interfaith movement, not least during the Parliament of the World’s Religions, held in Melbourne in December, 2009. He was an efficient and prudent administrator, never seeking the limelight yet everything was done with an ironic and disarming humor and a certain impish and whole-hearted spirit.
He was, in every sense of the word, a good man whose life was completely devoted to overcoming barriers and forging unity between the different churches and different faith traditions. We pray that he will find rest and eternal peace with the God whom he served so well and so faithfully for so long.
Doug’s work with Council of Christians and Jews. The Council of Christians and Jews (Vic) inc. held its inaugural meeting on Monday, February 28, 1985 at Temple Beth Israel, Alma Road, St Kilda.
Doug served at The Anglican Church of Saint Thomas Werribee, Apr 1962 – Aug 1966
Contributor to the book, Melbourne Anglicans: The Diocese of Melbourne 1847 – 1997 ed Brian Porter (Mitre Books, 1997)
“Ecumenism and the Diocese of Melbourne” by Douglas Dargaville
(from Ecumenical Bulletin, February 1973)
(photo: Doug and his wife Lucy)
