Lorne Victoria Australia
Reverend Phillip Cooke commenced the role of part time vicar at All Saints Anglican Church Lorne in 1982. Phil’s previous periods as a priest had included parishes in Timboon and Rosanna, and chaplaincy roles at the Austin Hospital and Ivanhoe Grammar School. A history of angina and a GP’s prognosis of 6 months to live forced him to resign from the Ivanhoe school. A casual remark to his wife Mary that a part-time position at Lorne was available created a positive response and the packing of Indian tea boxes began.
Phil and Mary were greeted warmly by Lorne parishioners. A few months later however a particular challenge arose. Standing on the vicarage veranda in the early afternoon of Wednesday 16 February 1983 Phil and Mary with friends from North Lorne noticed a threatening smoke filled skyline towards Aireys Inlet. When these friends reached their home, they found only the slab left. The Ash Wednesday Fire caused much damage including the destruction of St Aiden’s Anglican Church at Aireys Inlet. This was a particularly challenging period for Phil and included oversight of purchase of a new site and rebuilding of the St Aiden’s sister church.
What was advertised as a part-time role Phil to his satisfaction managed to turn full-time. Church services were weekly, in the holiday seasons pews almost full and Sunday morning teas popular. After some years Phil introduced a regular Wednesday morning ‘healing service’. At this time he was very influenced by the themes in Anglican Canon Jim Glennon’s 1978 book “Your Healing is Within You”. This book examines New Testament theological foundations for healing, how prayer, physical actions and the Holy Spirit can heal past trauma, resentment, or fear. To balance his workload Phil created a vegetable garden between the church and vicarage and regularly walked around the town and foreshore with his Mary.
Phil Cooke was described as a gentle, self-effacing man. His amiable personality and belief convictions helped him integrate and impact the local community. When local identity ‘Sharky’ long associated with the Lorne Life Saving Club died in 1986, Phil conducted the memorial service from the Club’s balcony with 1500 people present.
In 1993 it came time for Phil and Mary to depart Lorne and a farewell community event was organized (from memory in the old RSL Hall in Smith Street) at which a high proportion of the town’s permanent population attended.
Phil Cooke died in 2003 after a life trying to live as a Christian. The Christian message of God’s unconditional love was very meaningful to him and one he wanted to share. He was well aware of his imperfections but took inspiration from whom he called “the bloke upstairs”.
Photo of Rev P.R. Cooke, Lorne in 1987 about to conduct a marriage
1987, The Reverend Phillip Cooke
Photo of Phil and Mary Cooke on hill between church and vicarage with a granddaughter in the late 1980s.
c1980s, Phillip Cooke, Granddaughter and Mary Cooke.
Source:
- Richard Cooke son of Phil Cooke, July 2026
