IN the wide skies above the Australian outback, where cattle stations stretch for hundreds of kilometres, Padre David Shrimpton flies his 1974 two-seater plane not for profit, but for people.
Born and raised in Geelong, Padre Shrimpton’s life didn’t begin in ministry.
“My father, grandfather and great-grandfather ran a real estate business. I worked in that for a number of years before doing other things and eventually going into ministry,” he said.
Mr Shrimpton began with the Salvation Army, training in Melbourne before moving to Port Pirie, where he learned to fly.
Moving to the Top End, he realised his calling was to travel to remote communities and stations, often by air.
“I was flying padre out of Darwin, anywhere in the Top End — from Broome in WA across the Queensland border,” he said.
“Then down as far as Tennant Creek.”
Now one of only four flying padres in Australia – two with the Uniting Church and two with the Salvation Army—Mr Shrimpton covers vast swathes of western New South Wales, flying into isolated towns and remote stations.
“It’s a chaplaincy role,” he explains.
“So it’s catching up, touching base, seeing how people are, whether that’s around having a cuppa or in a ute travelling, whatever it may be.”
But his work goes far beyond casual conversation.
“Then there’s another side to it — being there for ceremonies: weddings, christenings, baptisms, funerals. They can be out in the community or on stations.”
Mr Shrimpton also works as an unofficial chaplain with the School of the Air, joining excursions and making regular visits to six remote schools inTibooburra, Ivanhoe, Pooncarie, Louth, Clare and Wanaaring.
“The smallest school, Tibooburra, has four students,” he said.
“So travelling to these schools is a great opportunity to catch up with staff and students.”
Wherever he goes, his presence is more than pastoral — it’s personal.
At local events like gymkhanas and bike-khans, Mr Shrimpton is known for something unexpected: cinnamon donuts.
“I cook donuts as a way of being at the events,” he said. “Everyone loves a hot cinnamon donut, and it’s a great way to stay connected.”
Through all the miles, ceremonies, and schoolyard visits, Mr Shrimpton said there’s no place he’d rather be.
“I’ve got no intentions of leaving,” he said.
And for the communities he serves, his steady hands — both on the yoke and in prayer — continue to be a source of comfort and connection, even in the most remote corners of the region.
