The Pastor-al Shepherd’s Travels in Tassie

I recently spoke to Father Rob Galea, parish priest of Bendigo in Victoria and internationally known singer songwriter, as he waited at Melbourne airport on his way to Tassie. Father Rob is a regular visit to Tasmania for his youth work and tells me he is hoping to further establish his youth ministry ‘Stronger’ Youth in Tasmania.

The city of Father Rob’s ministry, Bendigo, derives its name from the nickname of a shepherd who lived in a Bendigo hut in the 1840’s. The Shepherd was also a former sailor that took his nickname from that of Bendigo boxer, William Abednego (Bendigo) Thompson.

Today’s Bendigo has a modern day shepherd with Father Rob Galea, who like that Shepherd of long ago, made his way across the sea from his native Malta to his own little hut or rather the church of ‘Killian’, which translates as ‘little church’. Father Rob is a metaphorical fighter in that he is striving to engage troubled young people through music.

Father Rob established his ongoing youth ministry ‘Stronger’ Youth with another Maltese priest, the late Bishop Grech. Father Rob believes that youth that are disengaged need to feel a sense of belonging. With the help of good role models and the sense of community that ‘Stronger ’Youth provides, they can find ‘hope, support and be energised by music.’

Father Rob says of his recent time on the X-Factor was a ‘wonderful, exciting experience’ and hopes it may have inspired people but believes it wasn’t for him as he is already content, he has a record deal and is able to preach around the world through his music including Nadur in Gozo, Malta a place this reporter knows well!

Father Rob’s latest album ‘Something About You” is our now.

You can read more about Fr Rob and ‘Stronger’ Youth at http://www.frrobgalea.com/
Paula Xiberras