Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Rev. Robert Walker McLean, a former Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Victoria, who died suddenly yesterday at his home, Lyric grove, Camberwell, was born at Sailors Gully, Beaufort, in 1867, and was ordained at Omeo in 1897. He later served at Mia Mia, Narracoorte and
Bacchus Marsh, retiring in 1936. Mr. McLean was a padre in the 1914-18 war, and a convener of the public questions committee of the Assembly.
Announcing the death to the Assembly yesterday, the Moderator (Rev. A. S. Houston) said Mr. McLean had been a great servant of the Church.
He Is survived by his wife and four sons. One son is Rev, Alistair McLean; of Benalla, and another is Mr. Ewen McLean, a master at Geelong
College.

PASSING OF THE REV. R W McLEAN
Former Minuter of St Andrews Church at Naracoorte

The people of the Naracoorte district will have read briefly in the"Herald" (Thursday, May 13) of the death of the Rev. R. W. McLean.

The late Mr. McLean, prior to retiring from the Ministry, of the Presbyterian Church of Victoria with which he was connected for the greater part of his life, was 16 years in charge of St. Andrew's Church, Naracoorte, He married his second wife, Miss Nellle Patterson, who was a resident of Victoria, shortly after coming to Naracoorte and his three boys were born and educated in Naracoorte.

St Andrew's at Naracoorte has had some outstanding ministers in its history, and Mr. McLean was one of them. He was held in the highest esteem and affection not only among the people of his own church, but by the public at large. He resided in Naracoorte during the whole period of World War I and rendered fine service to the people of the district by receiving all the messages concerning the young servicemen who lost there lives. Mr. McLean undertook the task of informing each district parent when the sad news came to hand of the loss of their sons, and spoke words of comfort and kindness to them in their time of sadness.

Mr. McLean, being a man of deep Christian character, proved himself most fitting for the duties which he carried, out with kindness and goodness, of heart.

In a letter written to Mr. D. Caldwell Just after the close of the past year (1947) he wrote the following--"It is Just 100 years since my father came to Australia from Inverness, Scotland; it is just 100 years since Mrs- McLean's father came to Australia from Ayreshire; it; is just 60 years since I was ordained and inducted as a Minister of the Presbyterian Church of Australia, and I celebrated my 80th birthday on August 26, 1947." Mr. McLean, for the foregoing reasons recorded 1947 as a year of not to himself.

Mr. W, D. Thomson of Naracoorte, who is a prominent and worthy member of St. Andrews Church, when on a visit to Melbourne recently spent all afternoon with Mr. Mclean, at his home in Camberwell and found him in good' health and spirits, and displaying a keen interest concerning Naracoorte and it's activities, especially the people of St. Andrew's and all others he knew in this district. In a letter written to Mr. D. Caldwell he wrote "I could hardly realize my age; I have had wonderful health, and most of the disablilties that accompany old: age have passed me by".

Both Messrs. Caldwell and A. Humphrls, who were the secretaries of all patriotlc functions that were carried on in Naracoorte during World War I, were closely associated with Mr. McLean during that busy and anxious period when he resided here. There were extremely loyal and energetic public committees of both men and women in Naracoorte who were willing and enthusiastic workers and one of the committee men who put in a power of work and was a tower of strength to the secretaries was the Rev. R. W. McLean, who was outstanding, and at this time a tribute can be paid to him for the fine services rendered. Both the local war secretaries have been in correspondence with him up to the time of his death so true and real was their friendship. , .

The late Rev. R. W. McLean was a valuable public man in the two as well as a great Christian leader. He rendered wonderful, efforts for many years as a Member of the Naracoorte Hospital Board, paying particulars attention. to duties on the, House Committee brands financial side of this institution. He was a President of the Naracoorte Cheer-Up Society, a position he held with great dignity. This body did a great work during the 1914-18 War ,and Mrs. M.A. Melbourne was a fine, secretary. The Cheer-Up Society is still continuing its good work.

After he left Naracoorte he became for a time Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Victoria, and during his term he paid an official visit to St. Andrew's, Naracoorte, where he was given a most hearty welcome. He conducted services, to large congregations with christian friends of other denominations also present, which was striking evidence of his popularity and the warm and wide friendships that existed for him in Naracoorte among all sections of the community.

The Naracoorte Herald 24 May 1948 page 4