By Romy Stephens
A lifetime of dedication to the Anglican Church of Australia and the Dandenong Ranges has earned Reverend Dr Peter Crawford one of the country’s top awards.
In the Queen’s Birthday 2020 honours list, Mr Crawford received a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for his commitment to the Anglican Church and efforts throughout Emerald and surrounds.
Upon reflecting on the award, Mr Crawford told the Star Mail it wouldn’t have been possible without the support of so many other people throughout his life.
“Initially I was very surprised and then as I thought about it I realised it was really a tribute to a lot of people, rather than just me,” he said.
“The award was for contributions made to the church and the community, especially up here in the Dandenongs.
“I had the privilege of leading St Mark’s Church for almost 35 years and we had hundreds and hundreds of terrific volunteers and great colleagues.”
In 1977, Mr Crawford began as an assistant curate at St John’s in Toorak. He became the priest in charge at Emerald and Cockatoo in 1981.
That same year, he became the vicar at St Mark’s Church in Emerald and remained in that role for 34 years.
Over his many years of service to the Anglican Church, Mr Crawford has been the priest in charge at Belgrave Heights, Selby, Monbulk and St Luke’s in Cockatoo.
He was also a member of the Diocesan Tribunal from 2012-2013.
Mr Crawford’s commitment to the community has also been a major feature throughout his life.
In 1984, he co-founded ECHO Youth and Family Services – formerly Emerald Centre for Hope and Outreach – and was president there for 31 years.
He has been Honorary Life Vice President of the Church Missionary Society of Australia since 2000 and also established the Emerald Op Shop in 1988.
Other notable achievements for Mr Crawford include being director of the Anglican Evangelical Trust for 34 years and a member of the Emerald Emergency Planning Group for 10 years.
He has also had numerous publications such as Beauty From Ashes, 1987.
Mr Crawford is well known for his volunteering efforts throughout the local community and beyond.
Despite bringing many positive experiences, Mr Crawford said volunteering also brought its challenges at times.
“There are highlights, like working with fabulous people, but there have certainly been a lot of dramatic occasions,” he said.
“Leading in recovery work after the 1983 bushfires, 1997 Dandenong Ranges fires and Black Saturday…They were crucial times for communities.
“It varied from emergency to emergency but I was also involved with State Government in helping in the recovery after the Port Arthur Massacre and the Bali Bombings.”
Challenges aside, Mr Crawford said his time volunteering in the Dandenong Ranges has brought him great joy.
“I felt just over the years that God kept me here and I haven’t had any regrets about that,” he said.
“Before God changed my life I was really motivated by wanting to succeed for myself and I realise now that fulfilment comes from helping other people.
“It’s just incredibly important, particularly in hills communities, rather than suburbia, where you can build up a sense of community and trust.
“It’s one of the fantastic things, especially about the hills and the Yarra Valley, that there’s a very high level of volunteership and it’s marvellous.”
