Pioneer with a Passion has been updated and reprinted. The first copies were couriered from the printers in time for presentation at the Papua New Guinea 50th anniversary in Mt. Hagen. The remainder of the books will be available from the national office within a few weeks. Pioneer with a Passion was first published in 1996 for the 50th anniversary of the Australian church, so it is quite fitting that the second edition coincides with the PNG celebration.

The second edition includes Rev. Dr. Glen O'Brien's earlier biography of Kingsley Ridgway's life and ministry, with updated comments as well as the full text of Kingsley's own books: In Search of God (ca. 1937) and Feet Upon the Mountains (1976). The second edition also includes 16 pages of early photographs, many in vibrant colour.

Every Wesleyan should have a copy of this book. This high quality 368 page book with saddle-stitched binding will retail at $27.50. However, a special conference discount of 40% will be offered at district conferences; that is $16.50/copy (GST inc) + postage and handling if required. Place your order at district conference, or email the national office at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

First stage construction is well underway on the national church property on Lakeside Drive, Broadmeadows (VIC). This first stage includes three warehouses, two of which will be leased or sold and one which will provide a temporary location for the college and national offices. The concrete slabs are down and the tilt-slab walls are being poured on top of the floor.

It is anticipated that construction will be complete late in 2011. We have penciled in the last week of January, 2012 for moving our library and office equipment onsite. February 26 has been scheduled for the grand opening of the new centre. Please consider joining this celebration. We shall circulate more information as the building progresses.

On a sadder note, the new owners of the South Street property have begun the process of demolition, removing the old sheds and lecture rooms. The flats and Huntingtower remain as part of the plan to develop housing on the site. The library building continues to be available to us as a base for Kingsley until our own facilities are complete.

The Assembly of Confessing Congregations (ACC) met for their annual national conference in Keilor Park, Victoria, from 8-10 September. The ACC is the evangelical organisation within the Uniting Church, consisting of member congregations and ministers who uphold the accuracy of the Bible and the personal salvation experience in Christ.

Rev. Lindsay Cameron attended on Thursday and Friday, bringing greetings from the Wesleyan Methodist Church of Australia. Rev. Dr. Hedley Fihaki will be attending SPC '12 to return greetings from the ACC. The fellowship with the ACC delegates was very warm and welcoming - there are a number of long-standing relationships and family connections between our two groups. One very pleasant surprise was to find Rev. Dr. Richard Waugh's book on the planting of East City Wesleyan (Auckland) on sale in the foyer of the conference centre. It is good to be encouraging each other in whatever ways we can.