Anglican Minister Reverend Colin Oakley has taken charge of the Parish of Lakes Entrance and Metung, and with his wife Anthea, a teacher and tutor extraordinaire, has settled into their new environment.
They have two children – Helen, a police officer; and James, a baker; plus four grandchildren, Stefan, Zackary, Paige and Charlie.
Colin was born in England in the 1960s, but due to labour struggles there he moved to Melbourne. His dad was a traditional solid plasterer and worked on projects such as Lady Jane’s Chapel in Leicester and Colin followed in his footsteps, but working for his dad was ‘too much of a good thing’ so he went out on his own until his dad decided to come and work for him.
In addition to plastering, Colin studied geology at RMIT and theology at Ridley College. He was also in sales and estimating in multicolour printing.
His interests range from guitar, drawing, reading and Tai Chi in which he was an instructor for about 25 years.
In the church, prior to ordination, Colin has been involved in Alpha and other faith and discipleship courses, in intercession ministry, music, youth ministry, helping out in the Op Shop, lay reading, running evening services, anything that needed doing.
From 2016 until November 2024, Colin was Priest-in-Charge of Westernport.
Colin has a passion for encouraging people to continually go deeper in their relationship with the Lord, to have a willingness and the courage to ask questions, even awkward ones.
