A change of season for the McKay Patrol

Decommissioning Service for Cessna VH-MJZ Plane

On Friday 12th December 2025, a special decommissioning service for Cessna VH-MJZ was held at Cloncurry Airport Hangar, with refreshments served afterwards at Central Hotel in Cloncurry.

The Uniting Church in Australia has had a long history of providing a flying patrol providing outback ministry to the Western Queensland region, based out of Cloncurry.  The call-sign for this aircraft. Mike Juliet Zulu, was referred to by many as Much Joy and Zeal, reflecting the response to and impact of the plane’s role in the life of the church in outback Queensland.

Record of Service
The 50  years of service to the people of North West Qld was given by the following Bush Chaplains of the Presbytery of North Qld / Carpentaria of the Uniting Church:

• The late Rev Dr Dennis Robinson 1974- 1979 (Established the Aerial Patrol)
• Rev Robert Heathwood – CHAP(SQNLDR) Rt’d 1981-1988
• The late Rev Don Kube   1989-1996
• Pastor Len Wilmington 1997-2003
• Rev Garry Hardingham  2004-2013
• Rev David and Jeanette Ellis 2014-2022
• Pastor Michael Chapman 2023-2024

The decommissioning service for Cessna VH-MJZ was led by two of the former patrol padres, Rev Garry Hardingham and Rev Bob Heathwood, as well as former Cloncurry minister Rev Rhonda Heathwood, Presbytery Minister Rev Christy Allen, and Associate General Secretary Rev Linda Hanson representing the Queensland Synod.  It is worth noting that then Moderator, Rev Eric Moore (father of the current Moderator, Rev Bruce Moore) commissioned and dedicated this Plane in 1985

Although the aerial component of the McKay Patrol has ceased, the patrol will continue in a new season of this significant ministry as a Road Patrol.  Please pray for the Carpentaria Remote Bush Chaplain as they continue the Lord’s work providing pastoral care and support to the people in the North West region.

Read the History and Recollections about the Aerial Patrol below:

About McKay Patrol
History of McKay Patrol
A JOURNEY OF REMEMBRANCE
An End of an Era_Message from Rev Len Wilmington
Order of Service for the Decommissioning Final 081225

Rev Garry Hardingham and Rev Bob Heathwood

Rev Linda Hanson, Teresa Hardingham, Rev Garry Hardingham, Revs Rhonda and Bob Heathwood, Rev Christy Allen

Rhonda & Bob Heathwood, Rob Murray (new owner), Elijah (Horizon Airways)

Wendy Baker, Teresa Hardingham, Rhonda Heathwood, Bob Heathwood (standing)

(L to R): Elijah (from Horizon Airways – training school), Rhonda Heathwood, Bob Heathwood, Teresa Hardingham, Garry Hardingham, Simon Owen (Anglican Bush Aid), Judy Robertson (former Cloncurry congregant), Naomi Douglas (former Cloncurry congregant), Robyn Cooley, Christy Allen, Gary Baker (former Cloncurry congregant), Greg Campbell (Cloncurry Shire Council Mayor), Fr Mick Lowcock (long term Mount Isa Parish Priest)