Victoria

Toc H in Victoria was in many ways in the same mould as Toc H in England and there were seventy-five Branches in this State. For many years after World War II Toc H Australia Headquarters were in Melbourne and many Church and community leaders, and prominent business people were involved. In the 1960s, the Toc H movement in Victoria was the strongest of all Australian States.

Some notable dates in the history of Toc H in Victoria were:

1926

Melbourne hosted the first Federal Conference, when a Federal Council was established.
1928

Sandringham Branch distributed 20 tons of firewood and several trucks of fruit and vegetables to the needy. Toc H Father Christmases distributed hundreds of toys to children in many centres in Victoria.
1929

Lord Somers, President of Toc H Victoria, organised the first of many camps for boys from the cities and from the country.
1936

Lieut. Colonel (later Sir) Edmund Herring was appointed Area Commissioner for Victoria. His contribution to Toc H over many years was enormous.
1937

300 special prams for polio victims were supplied to the Society for Crippled Children.

1944

E. J. Putland instituted the Mail Bag Fellowship which later became the Adventure in Prayer. Their circulation reached over 800.
1946

Point Lonsdale Camp was taken over by Toc H.
1993

Toc H Victoria hosted a very successful Youth Leadership Course in Melbourne.

Other notable projects undertaken were making the Emergency Flashing Lights (over 12,000 were installed in Melbourne), erecting a telephone line to the Framlington Aboriginal Settlement, baby-sitting by the Toc H members at the Flinders Naval Depot to raise funds for their Chapel Fund and providing outings for people in homes.

Sir Edmund Herring visiting Jackmac, a sick Toc H member

John R MacDonald, known as Jacmac, was an inspirational example of Toc H in action. Although struck down with rheumatoid arthritis and blind he continued to exercise a remarkable ministry - with the Toc H Branch meeting in his room for over 20 years