Chairman of Well-Being Australia Mark Tronson says it has been his privilege to have been a receiptent of wisdom from numerous such people leading up to and during his 18 years of founding the Sports and Leisure Ministry, 17 years as the Australian cricket team chaplain, and now 29 years in faith financed mission.
One of these people was Toby Priestly.
Mark Tronson picks up the story: In 1969 as a NSW Government Railways "acting fireman" I transferred from Goulburn Locomotive Depot to Port Kembla. I longed to be a train driver and left home from Canberra when 16 and 9 months commencing as a trainee engineman in 1968 at Goulburn.
My parents brought a home at Sussex Inlet 90 minutes drive from Port Kembla, moreover Port Depot was a quicker promotion to Locomotive Fireman.
At Port Kembla Locomotive Depot it wasn't long before I was working on a diesel with "Driver" Toby Priestly. Drivers and Fireman worked different rosters, both were advised "daily" for their next working shift due to the nature of railway freight running. A fireman might not see the same driver for several weeks due to this type of roster system.
Toby Priestly had transferred from Parkes Depot two years previously. He was a reformed alcoholic, a very energetic Christian with the heart of an evangelist. His story was recorded on a "Christian Tract" how his life and his family's well being was almost destroyed by his alcoholism, followed by a radical supernatural change. He'd given his life to the Lord Jesus. He was wonderfully converted. A new creation!
He and his wife Heather were members of Port Kembla Baptist Church. Toby was a regular lay-preacher serving many local congregations in the Wollongong area. It was not unusual for Toby Priestly to visit his Minister to discuss deep Biblical issues. He loves God's Word, a beacon in his life. More than this, he was a helper to many Locomotive Fireman, young fellows, illustrating God's truth from the Bible.
For a period of 12 months I boarded with the Priestly family before I was able to move into my own unit at Fairy Meadow. Toby and Heather very hospitable people, loved being God's human open doors to weary souls.
As a lay-preacher Toby Priestly was always passionate for Jesus and exhibited characteristics that amused us all. Heather from the back pew would wave a white hanky when she and everyone else in the congregation thought it was time to stop - he never ever took any notice.
Toby Priestly was my Driver one evening on a "Banker" (helped push trains up the heavy grade mountain line from Unanderra to Summit Tank). My parents were down and Toby gladly welcomed my father on the Locomotive, treating him with much honour. Toby Priestly always wore a tie on the diesel, this he saw as reflecting respect to the Lord to young Fireman.
I benefited greatly from Bible discussions with Toby Priestly on and off the footplate. On long barrack trips, away from home for up to 35 hours, we'd pray and read the Bible.
A Driver of the "old steam school", he took a no-nonsense attitude from Guards, Station Masters, Assistant Station Master's or Firemen. He conducted his Christian life with similar discipline. Heather Priestly is now in Glory. Toby lives in Deniliquin near members of his family.
