By NARELLE COULTER
WHEN Ian and Pat McDonald decided to marry 52 years ago they faced a problem – Pat was Catholic and Ian was Presbyterian.
“We thought the best thing to do was to both change religions so we became Anglicans,” said Ian with a fond smile at his wife.
So began the couple’s long association with St James’ Anglican Church, Dandenong.
They were married at St James’ by The Reverend Egan Eggleston.
Their children were baptised at St James’, one of their four children were married there, they celebrated their golden wedding anniversary with a special church service and they have been instrumental in helping to organise the church’s sesquicentenary celebrations.
Ian and Pat’s love affair began with two black eyes.
It was July 1962 and Ian, a keen cricketer, was playing football in the off season for his home side, Catani.
“I took a mark in the goal square against Bunyip. It was a wet, dark day at Catani, there was even some hail, I think, and this bloke went ‘whack’ from the side,” Ian said, recreating the punch which broke his nose.
After having his nose straighted by a doctor and wearing a mask for a fortnight, Ian was left with two shiners.
His rugged appearance, however, wasn’t going to stop him going to the regular Cricket Association Wednesday night dance.
“I was sitting in the supper room, embarrassed because of my two black eyes, and a very pretty girl came up to me and said ‘what happened to you. Football?’
“She was very popular and the next week I couldn’t get a dance with her.
“So I got a couple of my mates to block any other other blokes and I got the last dance of the night.”
The couple have drawn strength throughout their marriage from the friendship and counsel they have received at St James’.
“We felt we should be loyal, decent and support the church. They took us in and we certainly needed a friend at that stage,” Ian said.
“The church has been a settling influence, something you can rely on, like a friend, really, because life can be pretty hectic and things happen that you need a steadying influence to help you along.
“There are outstanding people there who do marvellous work and don’t seek any credit. They are always there for you.”
As well as his church commitments, Ian has been a civic leader, serving as a councillor on the City of Dandenong between 1982 and 1993 and taking on the mayoral robes twice.
He was a member of the Dandenong Hospital board of management and is a life member of the Dandenong District Cricket Association.
By his side through it all has been Pat.
Now retired, Ian can often be spotted zipping around the church grounds on a ride-on lawn mower.
All the ground and most the maintenance work is handled by church volunteers.
He hopes the historic precinct comprising St James’, Heritage Hill and Laurel Lodge will be protected into the future by local and state authorities.
“That whole historic precinct is very important to Dandenong.
“When we first started coming the church was full of what you’d call old Dandenong, people with names like Corrigan and Keys.
“It has changed a bit now, but that reflects the changing face of Dandenong and Australia.”
The couple encourage new residents to visit St James’, talk to Father Jeffrey Parker and discover for themselves the fellowship and support on offer.
“Go along, don’t have fixed views, make up you own mind,” Ian said.
“Get to know Father Jeff and the other leaders of the church. Find an area in which you can assist and do it.”
