Rev. Robert Mitchell, associated with the Mitchell Memorial Church, Goodwood, 1924

Robert Mitchell (1851–1929) was an Australian Presbyterian minister who became the first Presbyterian to be ordained in South Australia.[1]

Childhood

Mitchell arrived in Adelaide, South Australia as an infant in 1855 with his parents, Robert and Agnes, and older brother Thomas, from Scotland.[1] He attended Salt Creek School and North Adelaide Grammar School prior to commencing studies for the ministry in 1868.[1]

Service as Minister

In 1872 he began pastoral work in Clare.[1] In 1882 he set up a congregation in Port Augusta. In 1884 he and Rev. W. F. Main organized the Smith of Dunesk Mission. The mission's base was at Beltana and the parish covered 77,700 km². Mitchell was the first missionary at Beltana[2] and for the next four years Mitchell travelled widely and provided a range of services, including first aid and dentistry, in addition to the usual religious services.[3] His work underpinned that of Rev. John Flynn and the development of the Royal Flying Doctor Service.[3]

Death

He died at Goodwood in 1929 and was buried in Payneham Cemetery.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Love, J. H. (1986). "Mitchell, Robert (1851–1929)". Australian Dictionary of Biography. National Centre of Biography, Australian National University. Retrieved 17 April 2015.
  2. ^ "Health Medical Services and Beltana Mission". Flinders Ranges. Froling Enterprises. 2013. Retrieved 17 April 2015.
  3. ^ a b "Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia". Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia. Retrieved 17 April 2015.


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