FOLLOWING a calling she had 20 years ago, Balranald local Robyn Davis recently became the first Indigenous priest in the Bendigo Anglican Diocese.
“I knew over 20 years ago that [this is what I would be doing] — I had a vision of myself in ministry,” she said.
“And now here I am.”
Robyn is licensed in the Bendigo diocese, which takes up almost half of Victoria.
“It goes right up to Mildura,” she said.
Robyn also has permission to officiate in the Riverina Diocese, which covers Balranald.
Before becoming a priest, Robyn worked many different jobs, including being a sales representative, bean picker and artist.
She said the range of roles she has undertaken and the many different experiences she has come across, made her ready to take on her role in the ministry.
Robyn said it can be difficult to understand what someone is going through if you haven’t been through it yourself.
“I wouldn’t be able to do what I do without all my life experiences,” she said.
“When you can take something from the grassroots in remote areas and pass that on to people in power, it is amazing…”
Robyn said being able to help others was rewarding.
“In the past if you wanted to work as a priest you had to run a parish,” she said.
“I didn’t want to do this.”
Rather, Robyn wanted to work in the community, among people.
“People need access to a minister wherever they want. They don’t need to be in a building,” she said.
“I’m out in the community.
“Just being with people and helping people with their everyday life is the best thing.
“Sometimes that just means sitting down with them over a cup of coffee and having a chat.”
Her role sees her travelling all around Australia in her caravan with her partner of 15 years, Edward King, visiting many isolated communities.
“We do a lot of public speaking, speaking to community groups,” she said.
“We do go to churches as well.
“But mainly on the ground in the community or wherever they are.”
Robyn said she was very appreciative of the support Edward had given her.
“I couldn’t do this without him,” she said.
“There are places I go to where I cannot speak to the men, it is do with men’s business and women’s business, and he does this for me.”
Suffering from arthritis in her fingers means Robyn can’t close her hands properly, which impacts on day-to-day activities.
“He drives the caravan, does simple things like sweeping the floors, he is just wonderful,” she said.
Travelling to all parts of Australia and meeting many powerful people, Robyn said a highlight of her role was learning about those who lived in remote areas.
“When you can take something from the grassroots in remote areas and pass that on to people in power, it is amazing,” she said.
“It is the most rewarding work.”
Another one of her highlights was being invited to the Torres Strait Islands Coming of Light event.
With her work being unpaid, Robyn makes a living by selling her artwork.
She described being an artist as very relaxing.
“The relaxation in it is just wonderful,” she said.
Her love of art was obvious early, with her parents giving her a 72-piece set of colouring pencils when she was six.
“Mum and Dad knew it was all I ever did, I think,” she said.
“I’ve been doing it since I could remember.”
She regularly holds art exhibitions. In every piece she does, she includes a small gold cross.
“It recognises the gift that God has given me of being able to tell stories on canvas,” she said.
