Alfred Harold WOOD

WOOD, ALFRED HAROLD (b. Geelong, Vic, 4 May 1896; d. 27 Aug 1989). Methodist preacher and missionary.

Wood's early years were spent within the Salvation Army which may account for the two great emphases of his ministry - a deeply rooted interest in evangelism and a strong commitment to the social implication of the Christian gospel. He was always a great campaigner for peace temperance, and Christian unity. Because his parents were too poor to pay for his education he worked at night and won scholarships: he was educated at the Sydney Boy's High School Leigh College and the University of Sydney.

Wood's long ministry was exercised in two main areas. He was principal of Tupou College in Tonga for 13 years, from 1924. He turned it into a notable educational institution, leaving upon the school a reputation for academic excellence and a real moral and spiritual imprint. For 28 years from 1939 he was principal of the Methodist Ladies College in Melbourne which under him became the largest girls school in Australia. Harold Wood also served as president of the Methodist Conference of Victoria and Tasmania and president general of the Methodist Church of Australasia. Meanwhile he graduated MA (University of Melbourne) and DD (MCD) and was appointed OBE in 1967. He published several books, including a series of histories of Methodist Overseas Missions in the Pacific. It was said of him, 'He was one of the most gifted servants of God of our time. When we look back over his long life and his distinguished ministry we remember him best as a man of God - a man of great humility, in many ways a saint - a man who inspired the whole of life in deeply spiritual terms'. The last great affirmation of his faith which he made was 'For me to live is Christ, to die is gain'.

C Gribble, 'Alfred Harold Wood', Church Heritage 6, March 1990, 63-7

SELECT WRITINGS: Overseas Missions of the Australian Methodist Church (Melbourne, 1975-80) 4 vols; History and Geography of Tonga (Wodonga, 1972); The Uniting Church of Australia (Melbourne, 961)

CECIL GRIBBLE