The Cooloola Coast has its first Reverend
Regional Bishop Jeremy Greaves follows Reverend Ingrid Busk into the Good Shepherd Church for her Commissioning
Rainbow Beach’s Church of the Good Shepherd was filled to the brim on May 10 for the commissioning of our new assistant priest of the Cooloola Coast.
Reverend Ingrid Busk has been engaged to work part time, trialling the new service for two years.
Ingrid’s CV is impressive – a Rector for ten years, a Chaplain in a nursing service, a real estate and property manager, and she owned a fashion boutique and commercial fishing business.
“After our two children had left home I went on the trawler for three months to Princess Charlotte Bay – right up Cape York.”
Now the Church has bought the neighbouring unit, she has moved here part time, “My husband loves recreational fishing – but he still runs a mowing business where we live in Maleny.”
In her spare time, Ingrid is a devoted “hands on grandma” – with an impressive six grandchildren and three great grandies!
Locals aren’t used to a dedicated Anglican minister for the coast, and many would not have met a female priest. Ingrid said women join the Ministry from 1992: “I was ordained in 2001. We are still trailblazers.”
But she encourages people to “experience female ministry first – we each bring different qualities”.
Her aims are to connect with people, building up relationships and to be a Christian presence in the community.
“If you want a baptism, funeral or wedding – it is someone you know, not a stranger. Which makes a big difference.”
I asked Ingrid when she would be on the coast?
“Definitely Sunday! St. John Vianney Catholic Church Tin Can Bay on the first and third- 7.30am at the Catholic Church and every Sunday 9.30am at Rainbow Beach for a more contemporary, non-traditional service for all ages worship.”
Contact Ingrid on 0429 995 323 to find out more.
