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JULY 2016
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The new facility at Vose Seminary will enable its ministry to expand and has been dedicated to the work of past Principal Dr John Olley.
New opportunities open Fundraising has largely contributed to the recently completed new learning complex at Baptist Churches Western Australia’s Vose Seminary. At a cost of $1.3 million, $1.2 million was contributed as a result of fundraising. The new addition will be an enormous boost to the growing ministry of the seminary, consisting of three lecture rooms, a reception area, kitchen, toilets and outdoor entertainment area. The three lecture rooms can open out into one large auditorium, capable of hosting conferences of up to 200 people. With the completion of the new facility, the question arose amongst the Vose community as to whether it would simply be called ‘the new complex’ or if it should be named after someone.
After discussions with staff and stakeholders, it was decided that while many have served the seminary well, one name stood above all others, that of John Olley. In a widely applauded decision it was therefore agreed to name the complex the John Olley Centre. In 1978 Dr John Olley and his family arrived in Perth having finished a stint as missionaries with the Australian Baptist Missionary Society in Hong Kong. John took up the newly created position of lecturer in Old Testament and quickly
established himself as an outstanding scholar and teacher. “His deep passion for and insight into the Old Testament was obvious to all,” current Vose Principal Dr Brian Harris said. In 1991 Dr Noel Vose retired as Principal and John was appointed the new Principal serving in that capacity until his retirement at the end of 2003. He continued to assist the Seminary in his retirement by returning in a part-time capacity as Academic Dean from 2007 to 2008. His wife Elaine also served as an honorary chaplain to students during that period. There were many notable achievements during John’s time, one of which was shifting the accreditation of degrees from Murdoch University to the Australian College of Theology. This meant that Vose Seminary
became part of a consortium of 17 theological colleges, each of which was working to prepare servant leaders for the church. It allowed for a clearer pastoral focus in the training provided. An application had originally been made to be part of the Australian College of Theology in 1975, but was turned down because the library was deemed too small to meet the required standard – ironically Vose is now home to the finest theological collection in Western Australia according to Vose Librarian Bridget Barry. Dr Harris commented that he is delighted that the new complex will be named the John Olley Centre. “John has been an enormous help to me in my post and his service to the seminary has been exemplary. This is a well-deserved honour,” Dr Harris said.
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Committed to being honest, transparent and above reproach. BAPTIST CHURCHES WESTERN AUSTRALIA