Thomas Arthur Rowley EBBS

EBBS, THOMAS ARTHUR ROWLEY (b. Broomfield, co. Wicklow, Ireland, 13 Dec 1873; d. Beecroft, NSW, 10 Oct 1955). Anglican clergyman.

Ebbs was educated in Ireland until 1880 before the family migrated to South Australia where he continued his education at the Lancing School, Glenelg. He was ordained in 1899 by the bp of Melbourne, becoming curate of Yarra Glen, 1898; Corryong, 1898- 1900; St John's Footscray, 1900-01; All Saints', Bendigo, 1902; and minister of Raywood, 1902-03.

Ebbs was secretary of the Victorian CMA from 1903-18, having taken over from the Rev E J Barnett (q.v.), who had resigned from being headmaster of Caulfield Grammar School to become the first stipendiary secretary in 1896. The CMA owed much to him because of his vision and hard work. In 1907, with Bishop Gilbert White of Carpentaria, he chose the CMS Roper River Mission site in Arnhem Land, the first mission to the Aborigines of the area. As the mission was the direct responsibility of the Victorian CMA at that time, he was deeply involved in its developmental stage.

Ebbs was one of the main movers behind the transfer in 1907 of the St Hilda's training home for missionary candidates at Fitzroy to the new Clarendon Street location, where land had been purchased and a fine two-storied building erected through the generosity of Mr and Mrs James Griffiths (q.v.). He was also one of the key figures in the founding of Ridley College, Melbourne, which came into being in 1910. The Rev L L Nash (q.v.) stated that he was 'tireless in representing the claims of Ridley' during his deputations in the eastern States on behalf of the CMS.

When the NSW and Victorian CMAs agreed to closer co-ordination of their efforts with the formation of a central Council in 1911, Ebbs became the general secretary of both Associations. At the same time he guided the SA supporters of CMS through difficult negotiations with Bp Nutter Thomas of Adelaide, culminating in the establishment of a separate SA branch in 1916. Although the federal scheme involved no constitutional changes, it paved the way for the formation of the CMS of Australia in 1916. When this body came into existence, he became a member of the first Federal Council.

After 16 years' outstanding service as general secretary of the Victorian CMA (Victorian Branch of the CMS from 1916), Ebbs resigned to become rector of Lismore NSW. On his departure the Society recorded that it owed much to his 'self-sacrificing and persistent labours, his unvaried tact and courtesy, and his understanding of men and affairs'.

Following a short ministry at Lismore, Ebbs was national secretary of the CEMS from 1921-4, after which he became rector of the important parish of St Matthew's, Manly in the diocese of Sydney, a position he held until he retired from the active ministry in 1948.

Not only did he have the exacting task of ministering in this busy parish for 24 years, but he was deeply involved in local social welfare issues. He started the St Matthew's farm for unemployed youth at Dee Why in 1932 during the depression. Then at the commencement of World War Two in 1939 he started the St Matthew's hostel for servicemen at Manly which met the great need of members of the forces living away from home. For these and other services to the community he was made an MBE in 1946. Ebbs resigned from his parish and from the active ministry on 11 December 1948.

Diocese of Sydney records; Keith Cole, A History of the Church Missionary Society of Australia (Melbourne 1971); L L Nash, Forward Flows the Time (Melbourne, 1960); Brian Dickey, 'The origins of the Church Missionary Society in South Australia', JHSSA 7,1989

KEITH COLE