Joseph Hunter GOBLE

GOBLE, JOSEPH HUNTER (b. Rosebrook, near Belfast (now Port Fairy), Vic, 17 Feb 1863; d. Melbourne, Vic, 31 Jan 1932). Baptist minister.

Goble was the son of Joseph Goble, a mill engineer and flour-miller, and Anne Ballentine. Evidently deserted by her husband, the mother moved to Melbourne with her son and daughter in the mid-1870s. They lived in difficult circumstances in Port Melbourne and Fitzroy. Joseph Goble began employment as a labourer eventually gaining an apprenticeship as a compositor. In 1885 he became an active member of his trade union, the Melbourne Typographical Society, eventually becoming president in 1897. His working class background and keen trade union loyalties remained a characteristic of Goble all his days.

He was converted through the Seamen's 'Bethel' at Fishermen's Bend. In 1884 he became a student pastor at Footscray Baptist church but overwork and ill health forced him to resign and for a time he was unemployed in Sydney. But in 1895 the deacons of Footscray invited Goble again to be pastor and so began a remarkable ministry in that church of almost 36 years. Goble completed his studies whilst at Footscray and was ordained in 1900. His wife died from typhoid fever in 1895, and Goble never remarried.

The outstanding feature of Goble's ministry was his extraordinary rapport with working men and women in an age when few church leaders could build strong churches in industrial areas. The church grew dramatically, buildings were enlarged and the Sunday school of 845 members became the largest Baptist Sunday school in Australia. The church built in Paisley Street (1904) could seat 700, branch churches were opened at Yarraville and Gordon Street, Footscray.

Goble was a fine preacher, with dramatic flair and a keen sense of humour, but with a transparent concern for people. He was attractive to working men who respected his sincerity and compassion. Even though he opposed strong drink he was never labelled a wowser. He was a keen supporter of the Footscray Football Club and became a leading member of the Masonic Lodge. Many in trouble in Footscray were visited by Goble and often given practical aid.

Goble retained his working class loyalties, constantly denouncing unemployment as a national disgrace, attacked jingoism and compulsory military training. Goble insisted on receiving a stipend no greater than the average working man. 'Joe' Goble became a loved identity in Footscray.

His service to the Baptist churches included being president of the Baptist Union of Victoria (1908/9) and he was honoured as the first president of the Baptist Union of Australia in 1926/29. He was an ardent supporter of home mission work was chairman of the Baptist Foreign Missionary Society (from 1913 the Australian Board of Baptist Foreign Mission). After Goble’s death thousands joined in the funeral procession. The citizens of Footscray erected a life size statue which still stands on Geelong Road, Footscray.

ADB 9; B S Brown, Members One of Another (Melbourne, 1962); Footscray Advertiser 6, 13 Feb 1932

K R MANLEY