Tribute to the late Rev Ken Leaver , former Principal of Parkin-Wesley Theological College.
The Wesleyans first trained their ministers at Prince Alfred College, the lectures being given by circuit ministers. After Methodist union in 1901, a Bible Christian layman, Dr W.G. Torr, established a training institute at Brighton which was given to the Methodist Conference in 1922. It continued to be known as Brighton College and its principal was the Rev Frank Lade. In 1927 the Conference closed Brighton College and established Wesley College at 20 King William Road, Wayville in association with the R.H. White Trust. Its principals were Rev Frank Lade (1927-1938), Rev Percy Eckersley (1939-1952), Rev Arthur Blacket (1953-1964), Rev Arnold Hunt (1965-1969).
Late in the 19th century the Hon William Parkin, a Congregationalist, established a trust which was to provide funds for theological education when the accumulated capital made this feasible. In 1910 Parkin College was opened at North Terrace Kent Town when Dr Llewellyn Bevan became the first principal. After his death, during World War I the college was in recess until the Rev (later Dr.) E.S. Kiek was appointed Principal in 1920. After a decade of independent operation, Parkin and Wesley co-operated by sharing lectures and teaching facilities. At this time several Baptist and Presbyterian students were also trained. When the Baptist College was opened, their lecturers also co-operated in the combined faculty. Dr Kiek was principal from 1920-1957 and was followed by Rev Ken Leaver (1958-1968).
In 1969 the Methodist Conference and Parkin Trust, through the Congregational Union of S.A. and in association with the Presbyterian Assembly, set up Parkin-Wesley Theological College under the co-principals Dr. A.D. Hunt and Rev K.B. Leaver, each of whom had designated areas of responsibility for college administration. In 1973 Dr Hunt withdrew for another appointment. In 1966 the Rev C.R. Biggs was appointed lecturer in Biblical Studies and in 1974 the Rev Dr H.D'A. Wood was appointed lecturer in Theology. Rev Dr J.E. Akehurst was appointed part-time lecturer in New Testament in 1976. In 1977 Principal Leaver withdrew to accept another appointment. Dr C.R. Biggs was appointed Principal and the Rev E.L. Mickan lecturer in Pastoral Studies and Field Education. In 1985 Dr Akehurst became a full-time lecturer and Rev Anna Catlin joined the faculty as a half-time lecturer in Pastoral Studies with Dr Mickan becoming lecturer in Field Education and Parish Ministry.
In 1989 the Rev Dr A.F. Dutney became Lecturer in Systematic Theology in place of Dr Wood, who took up an appointment with the Assembly of the U.C.A. Dr Akehurst resigned at the end of 1991 to take up a pastoral call. Rev Anna Catlin was appointed full-time in 1992, with added responsibilities in Old Testament. Ms Vicky Balabanski, who was appointed Lecturer in New Testament in 1993, was awarded her Ph.D. in December of that year.
In 1994 the Lay Education Centre and Parkin-Wesley Theological College were brought together as part of the long range planning of the Synod of South Australia. This was an exploratory year. In 1995 the new College was inaugurated, with a new College Council and a faculty of seven. Those faculty with a particular interest in the preparation of programs for lay ministries (Rev David J Houston [Jan, 1989] and Rev Dr Vern J Cracknell [October, 1989]) became part of the larger team. Dr Biggs retired as Principal at the end of 1996. In 1997 Rev Dr Christopher C Walker was appointed Principal and Lecturer in Theology and Mission. Also in 1997, Rev Anna Grant-Henderson (formerly Catlin) was appointed the Lecturer in Old Testament. She was awarded her Ph.D. in April 1998.
In September 1997 Parkin-Wesley College joined with St Francis Xavier Seminary and St Barnabas' Theological College on the site of a common campus at Brooklyn Park. Teaching at this facility began on October 7th. The Adelaide College of Divinity campus was officially opened on Sunday, November 9th by the Governor of South Australia, Sir Eric Neal. The campus and the Chapel of Reconciliation were dedicated jointly by Anglican Archbishop Ian George, Catholic Archbishop Leonard Faulkner and Dr Don Hopgood, Moderator of the Synod of South Australia, UCA. Parkin-Wesley College brought its history and traditions to the new setting, prepared to enter a new stage of its life.
Rev David Houston retired at the end of 1997. Dr Deidre Palmer was appointed as Lecturer in Lay Ministry Studies in July, 1998. In 1999 the words "and Christian Education" were added to Deidre's title. Deidre resigned at the end of 2004. Rev Dr Laurie Mickan retired at the end of 1999 and Rev Dr Vern Cracknell retired in January 2000. Ms Beatrice Panne , Lecturer in Supervised Field Education and Rev Dr Neil Pembroke, Lecturer in Pastoral Care and Congregational Life and Leadership commenced in 2000. Neil resigned at the end of 2002. Rev Dr Chris Walker took up a new appointment at the end of 2000.
Rev Dr Andrew Dutney was appointed Principal in 2001. Rev Anthony (Tony) Eldridge took up the position of Lecturer in the Practice of Ministry during 2002. Dr Peter Trudinger was appointed to teach Biblical Studies in the Lay Ministry area in July 2004. Dr Trudinger is also the coordinator of MMin Studies. Mr Craig Mitchell took up the position of Lecturer in Lay Ministry Studies in May 2005.
Rev Dr Anna Grant-Henderson retired as Lecturer in Old Testament Studies at the end of 2008. Dr Liz Boase commenced as Lecturer in Old Testament Studies in January 2009.
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