School of Historical and Philosophical Studies - Theses

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Start date: 2000 × Type: Masters Research thesis × Subject: Victoria × Subject: Baptists × End date: 2009 ×

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    A history of the House of the Gentle Bunyip (1975-90): a contribution to Australian church life
    Munro, Marita Rae ( 2002)
    The House of the Gentle Bunyip was an ecumenical Christian community that existed from 1975 to 1996 in Clifton Hill, an inner Melbourne suburb. Founded by a Baptist theologian, Athol Gill, it drew many of its members from the Baptist and evangelical traditions. Mostly young adults, they perceived deficiencies in their churches and wanted to explore some of the radical implications of the Christian faith in a non-traditional setting. The Bunyip was influenced by the worldwide Christian community movement and changes in Australian society in the 1970s. It sought to respond to a decline within the institutional church evident from the 1960s and, in particular, to Victorian Baptist neglect of Melbourne's inner city churches. The Bunyip established a range of mission projects in response to the poor and needy including the homeless, aged, mentally ill and children disadvantaged by poorly-resourced inner city schools. It developed educational initiatives for clergy and lay people and sought to reclaim the communal aspects of the Christian faith by introducing its own pattern of corporate worship, community housing, membership agreements and leadership structures. The Bunyip established centres in Victoria and interstate, and developed links with a range of church and community networks. Over 150 adults and 30 children joined the Bunyip and the average length of stay was a little over four years. The community made a significant contribution to Australian church life by offering a viable alternative to the institutional church. It provided men and women with training, and opportunities for leadership and relevant practical service. It challenged Christians to take seriously the radical implications of the Gospel, especially in the areas of justice, care of the poor and community. Countless people were assisted through its mission programs. Many of its members and others influenced by Gill and the Bunyip completed degrees in theology and moved into ordained ministry, denominational leadership and urban or overseas ministry. Some used their Bunyip experience in community development, welfare work, education and peace-making. Although the Bunyip eventually declined and closed, its legacy continues through Fintry Bank, a supported accommodation program for sufferers of schizophrenia.