Dan McAloon is scheduled to speak about his work with Frontier Services from 9am.

Mr McAloon joined the Uniting Church in Australia in July 2013 as major gifts and bequests officer. 

His title recently changed to relationship manager (mission engagement).

He is part of Frontier Services’ national development team, based in Sydney.

The group focuses on furthering what Australian Inland Mission founder Rev Dr John Flynn famously described as “a mantle of safety” to the people of the outback.

As part of his liaising with major donors, Mr McAloon talks to individuals and organisations, including congregations and fellowships, describing the history and activities of Frontier Services in remote and isolated Australia.

Frontier Services has gone through a very dramatic transition from a large bureaucratic-style deliverer of government-funded remote area aged and community services, to a small, traditional church mission, concentrating on its core programs - mobile patrol ministers and “Outback Links”, a volunteer initiative that matches skills of volunteers to the needs of people on the land.

Mr McAloon’s professional background is in community relations as a journalist and communications exponent for federal and state government, tertiary and secondary education, and church. 

His news and feature stories over 20 years have won numerous “best” awards. 

In 2006, working as a stringer for the Catholic News Service, based in Washington DC, he scooped the international media on preparations for the Sydney wedding of actress Nicole Kidman to singer Keith Urban. 

“The fundraising role I perform has a long tradition in Frontier Services,” Mr McAloon said.

“In 1912 Rev John Flynn was given two titles when he was put in charge of the AIM: ‘Superintendent’ and ‘Organiser’.

“The latter role involved educating people in cities and towns through lectures and ‘magic lantern’ shows of the dire needs of outback communities, and encouraging their financial support for practical mission works to the inland.

“Instead of the Magic Lantern, today I use a power-point presentation. 

“The needs of outback people is much as it was in Flynn’s day - the sparse populations spread across vast distances, subject to drought, fire and flood.

“In Canberra and capital cities, the people who reside in the 85 per cent of Australia that is red desert or marginal land are still a ‘forgotten people’ lacking in the basic services and amenities urbanised Australians take for granted.

“Each year Frontier Services aims to raise funds sufficient to continue and enlarge the positive works we perform in remote Australia.

“Helping people is the most satisfying work anyone can do in this world.”