John George MANNING

MANNING, JOHN GEORGE (JACK) (b. Harston, Vic, 12 Aug 1903; d. Ringwood North, Vic, 24 Jan 1985). Baptist superintendent.

When John Manning's father died, the family moved from the country to Kew. He was baptised at Kew Baptist Church when 14, and entered the Baptist College of Victoria in 1924. While a student he won a university blue for athletics. After ordination, he served at Colac (1929-32) and Moonee Ponds (1932-40). He served as a YMCA officer with the AIF in Palestine and New Guinea, during World War Two eventually becoming YMCA Deputy-Commissioner of the SWPA Area.

Following war service, Manning was called to succeed J E Newnham (q.v.) as superintendent of the Victorian Baptist Home Missionary Society (after 1966, Church Extension Department). Commencing in November 1945, as war time restrictions were relaxed he was able to implement the policies formulated by his predecessor, with Newnham's generous support. Declining church membership was arrested and in the decade ending in 1961 there was a 26% increase. He combined his duties with those of Tasmanian superintendent (1946-52). When immigration was at its peak, he encouraged the formation of non-English speaking churches.

In 1967 he resigned to become the Victorian Baptist Union's second general superintendent, extending the scope of his ministry. At the completion of his service, he was elected the Union's president (1971-2). He was secretary of the Baptist Union of Australia (1971-4). From 1965 he had encouraged those in other states involved in church extensions to consult annually. In 1971 this became a Conference of the Australian Union able to advise the Union and its constituents. His interest in non-English speaking immigrants led him to foster the New Settlers' Baptist Association of Australia, which was recognised as a Fellowship of the Union in 1986, after his death. An award of the MBE publicly honoured his work.

Baptist Union Archives, Hawthorn, Victoria; B S Brown, Baptised into One Body (Melbourne, 1987); B S Brown, Members One of Another (Melbourne, 1962)

BASIL S BROWN