Mount Isa’s former Anglican priest, Rev Betty Handley passed away earlier this month, aged 86.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Rev Handley who was awarded an order of Australia medal, left Mount Isa three years ago after half a century to retire to join family in Hervey Bay
She had spent her final 15 years in Isa to her calling as a priest with the Anglican Church of St James the Great and St Luke’s and was well known as the organiser of the ‘Prayers for Rain’ held each year at the Civic Centre.
In 2015 Rev Handley celebrated the Eucharist among her flock for one final time as she was presented with a medal by the Anglican Bishop of North Queensland, the Right Reverend William Ray for having served the church with distinction leaving behind a lifetime of selfless service.
She was educated as a teacher and came to Mount Isa from Winton in October 1963 with her husband and two children.
She was caring about people, working with the predecessor of Blue Care, the Blue Nurses, and as a visitor to the Laura Johnson Retirement Home, Mount Isa Hospital, the region’s schools and the physically and socially isolated across the state from Charters Towers to the Northern Territory border. She led prayer groups, in particular for healing and appeals for rain.
Mrs Handley became deacon in 1995 and was ordained in 1998. During her time in the area, she helped promote unity and cooperation among the region’s faiths, served with the Combined Christian Churches of Mount Isa, ecumenical services such as the World Day of Prayer and Christmas services and on occasions led the Mount Isa City Council in prayer before meetings.
Mrs Handley’s attention to detail have shone through the town’s many public events, such as the fetes and flower shows she presided over, and as a leader in the Scout movement for more than 50 years,ending her time as assistant regional commissioner and receiving the Scouts’ Silver Kangaroo award for “eminent achievement and exceptional service”.
Her work for scouting and the Anglican Church earned her a Medal of the Order of Australia in Queen’s Birthday Honours in 1994.
She died on September 8, 2018 in Hervey Bay surrounded by family including her sons Geoffrey and Kevin.