Robert Possingham
The Adelaide-born Robert Possingham came to the Australasian Missionary College not long after becoming a Seventh-day Adventist. A fellow church member had suggested he study theology. “I laughed at the idea of doing the ministerial course,” he says—but the idea stuck. It wasn’t long before the South Australian was packing his bags for Cooranbong.
In December 1956, a year after graduating from Avondale, Robert married Noreen Thorpe—the two will celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary next year. The family—sons Robert and Mark and daughters Sharelle and Roanne—followed Robert Snr around the South Pacific as he took on various roles.
Robert’s first calls were to literature ministry in South Australia and Western Australia, then to evangelism, then to youth ministry in Victoria, New Zealand and Queensland. He then directed youth ministry at the church’s union conference level for 18 years. Robert served for 36 years in youth ministry and says seeing the changes in the lives of young adults have been among the best experiences of his life.
In addition to his pastoral work, Robert has volunteered in the community, including 18 years as a chaplain—eight with the State Emergency Service (SES)—15 years as an SES peer support officer and 40 years as a Justice of the Peace.
Robert credits his wife’s unfailing love and support as a source of strength. “All who know me say she deserves an award of bravery,” he says. “Noreen was indeed God’s choice of a life partner for me.”
The class of 1955 honours Robert for a lifetime of service to youth ministry within the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
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