Mollie Chick
Mollie Chick (pictured) spent virtually all her life putting others first, as a nurse and then as an ordained Uniting Church minister and hospital chaplain. And now, more than a year after her passing – in Hobart at the age of 86 in June last year – Mollie’s compassionate heart is still on display.
Mollie’s legacy to others was unveiled last month by Hobart financial advisor Scott Donoghue who said that 10 church and charitable organisations would share more than $1 million in bequests from her estate.
Included among the recipients are the Presbytery of Tasmania, UnitingCare Tasmania, UnitingWorld, the National Council of Churches’ Act for Peace program, the Hobart Cancer Auxiliary, Leukaemia Foundation, Clifford Craig Medical Research Trust and Menzies Research Institute.
The Presbytery of Tasmania funding has been earmarked for new initiatives and developments while UnitingWorld will use its bequest to fund programs which assist and support women in the Pacific.
Generally women in the Pacific have less access to education and opportunities to earn an income. To tackle poverty in the region it is vital that women and young girls are empowered through increased access to education and training and by being provided with leadership skills and opportunities to participate in community decisions.
UnitingWorld’s associate director of relief and development Rob Floyd – a parishioner of Mollie’s when she ministered at New Town Rd Uniting Church, in Hobart – said Mollie was a great supporter of women in leadership and women having control of their own destiny. As such he saw the Pacific project as a natural fit.
Hobart North Uniting Church minister Rod Peppiatt, who had a long relationship with Mollie and was the minister where she worshipped in her later years, said he was not surprised Mollie had chosen to bequeath funds to various parts of the church’s ministry – both here and abroad – given her passion for the work of the Uniting Church.
“I know she was very proud of the work of the Uniting Church and had a real passion for supporting the things it was up to,” he said.
Mr Peppiatt said he was aware Mollie had inherited a significant sum late in her life but was a woman with a real sense of having what she needed.
“She took the opportunity to support activities in which she believed.”
Mr Peppiatt said Mollie was actively engaged in the life of the church until she passed away.
“It was a community she found nurture in and loved being part of. This included bible study groups which she described as a highlight of her week.”
Mollie became a qualified nurse in 1946 and worked as a general and psychiatric nurse before becoming a matron and nursing director in hospital and regional services.
She was ordained in 1980 serving as a minister of the word in the Mersey and New Town parishes before becoming a chaplain at the Royal Hobart Hospital, where she remained until retiring in 1991.
By Nigel Tapp
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