Eric Bird

Eric Bird is our Associate Minister.

After schooling at Homebush Boys’ High School and Sydney Technical High School, Eric began his working life as an engineering draughtsman. Although his family had no church connections, he had become a Christian as a result of answered prayer at about the age of fourteen.

That Christian faith found opportunity for greater expression when, after nine years in the drawing office, he joined the staff of the fledgling Christian Broadcasting Association—later to become 2CBA-fm in Sydney. Radio had always been of interest and, in his late teens and with the hope of one day entering the radio world, Eric had undertaken a course in voice production for radio. He had no idea then as to how God might use those interests and training.

In those drawing office years Eric had married Dorothy and they were blessed with four wonderful children. That family has now grown to eleven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

After they had married, Dorothy had remarked that she was glad she hadn’t married a minister. That thought came back to his mind when, after twelve years with CBA, Eric felt a strong call to enter Moore Theological College and to train for the Anglican ministry. To his relief, Dorothy raised no objections and they entered those years of training and the ministry that followed as a united team.

Eric was ordained in 1972 and spent two years as a curate at both Punchbowl/Beverly Hills North and St. Michael’s Cathedral in Wollongong. He then became Rector of St. John’s, Keiraville before taking up the challenge of what was then the New Housing Area of Minto. Those years at Minto were the most fulfilling of all the years in the ministry and led ultimately to “retirement” at Shoalhaven Heads and a ministry at St. Peter’s which has spanned more than 20 years.

Adding to the conviction that God has guided his life and ministry every step of the way, Eric is very conscious of the fact that every experience through the drawing office work and the subsequent radio ministry has contributed to his ability to carry out the functions of the wider ministry that opened up. To God be the glory!