Dear Friends,
It is with deep sadness that I share with you the news of the death of Fr Gerry Dullard OSA, past Parish Priest of Manly Vale. In recent years Fr Gerry has lived in the Augustinian Community in South Yarra. Despite experiencing health issues, he remained positive and active. In the last year, he moved into care at Coppin Centre, South Yarra, where he died on Monday 30 May.
Fr Gerry was a proud Victorian, born on 3rd April, 1932 to Jim and Mary Dullard, farmers at Pinegrove East via Mitiamo. This area was Augustinian territory since 1886, so the Order’s connections were there right from the beginning. Fr Gerry was one of 7 children, of whom one brother joined the Jesuits and 2 sisters became Brigidines.
He was in the first novitiate group to take place in Australia and made his First Vows with Fr Pat Fahey in 1951. Following studies in the United States, he was ordained in Washington DC on 8 February 1958 together with Frs Pat Fahey and John Barry. Returning to Australia in 1959, he had some pastoral experience at St James’ Parish, Coorparoo and began many years on the staff of Villanova College, Coorparoo (1959-1973). He later served as Chaplain to Griffith University and Mt Gravatt CAE as well as conducting counselling courses at the Catholic Family Welfare Bureau in Brisbane.
In 1979, Fr Gerry was appointed to Manly Vale as Prior and Assistant Priest (1979-1982) and then as Prior and Parish Priest (1983-1986). This was his first permanent, Parish appointment which he embraced with great enthusiasm. Many more years in parish ministry followed: Founding Pastor of the new parish at Redland Bay (1987-1995), Pastor of Echuca (1995-1999), Assistant Priest of Mareeba (1999-early 2000s) and then to South Yarra.
At Manly Vale, Fr Gerry was a popular Parish Priest and is remembered by many as a strong supporter of the Paulian Groups at the time. It goes without saying that Fr Gerry was larger than life and there will be great memories of him for years to come. He adopted a common sense approach to the Priesthood and had a unique ability to relate easily to people from all walks of life. He was well-known for his distinctive sayings, at times bordering on the irreverent but still containing threads of the wisdom we all need. He certainly made a deep impression in the ministries in which he served. Fr Gerry was a significant person in the lives of many people and we offer grateful thanks to God for the gift we have been given.
Please remember Fr Gerry in your prayers, along with his family, his Augustinian brothers, and the many friends who mourn his loss. St Augustine offers comforting words:
‘Faithful hearts should be allowed to mourn for their loved ones, but with a grief that can be healed; let them shed tears that can be wiped away, tears that can be quickly checked by the joy of that faith which assures us that when believers die they go but a little way to a better place' – From Sermon 172.
Fr Gerry will be farewelled at Requiem Masses in St Joseph’s Church, South Yarra on Tuesday 14 June at 11.00am and in St Mary’s Church, Echuca on Thursday 16 June at 11.00am, followed by burial at the Dullard family plot at Pinegrove East via Mitiamo. At a later time, a Memorial Mass will be celebrated in St Kieran’s Church, Manly Vale.
May Fr Gerry rest in God’s peace. Fr Dave