Fr Terance Wall

Early life and education

Terance (Terry) Wall was born in Footscray, Melbourne on July 18, 1919. His early schooling was received at the Convent of Mercy at Brunswick in Victoria, then the Convent of Mercy at Angas Street in Adelaide and finally at CBC, Wakefield Street, Adelaide.

As a young man in Adelaide he served his apprenticeship as a boiler-maker and worked at the Islington Railway works. At the age of 32 he entered St Francis Xavier Seminary in 1951. Being 15 years older than most of his classmates he was nicknamed “the Oldest” – a label that stuck with him throughout his life.

Terry was amazing in the way he so comfortably fitted in with his fellow students – characterised by a spirit of determination and serenity – he always seemed unruffled and calm throughout his life.

Seminary years and ordination

From St Francis Xavier’s Terry spent four years at St Patrick’s College, Manly, and was ordained to the priesthood on July 21, 1957 in Ballarat where his sister (the only surviving member of his family) was living at that time. Terry was a keen golfer and regularly returned to Ballarat to play golf with a contingent of SA Knights of the Southern Cross golfers.

Early appointments

Terry’s first appointment was as Assistant Priest in the parish of Dulwich. In August 1959 he was appointed Locum Tenens at Murray Bridge. Soon after he was appointed Parish Priest of Kangaroo Island where he spent six years and endeared himself to many of the families of the Island. In 1966 he was appointed Parish Priest of Pinnaroo where he stayed four years. From there in 1970 he went to Strathalbyn as Parish Priest.

In early 1971 he took long service leave for three months and went overseas. It was in the course of this trip that he was “captured” by the international press when he gave the last rites to a pedestrian who had been hit by a bus in Spain.

Latter years of ministry

The following year he was asked to establish the new parish of Para Hills, formerly part of the Salisbury parish. It was a relatively new area with many migrants especially from the United Kingdom. Terry is long remembered in this area for his dedication to the task and he remained there for 14 years. As one parishioner said: “He will be remembered for his approachability, friendliness, welcome and light-hearted quips”.

In April 1986 he was appointed Parish Priest of Mount Barker and it was here that he retired from the position of Parish Priest, but he certainly did not retire from active ministry. He became resident chaplain at the Philip Kennedy Centre (Administered by Southern Cross Homes) and also a regular weekend supply to the Semaphore parish.

In addition he spent three days per week assisting the Matrimonial Tribunal, which he continued until December 1997. In May 1999 Archbishop Faulkner agreed that he could fully retire on his 80th birthday on July 18 and he moved to Murphy Villa where he died on July 16, 2001 – two days before his 82nd birthday.

Apart from his work with the Matrimonial Tribunal, Terry undertook a number of other duties and responsibilities. In April 1967 he was appointed Diocesan Director of the Priests Eucharistic League.

His popularity among his fellow priests is illustrated by the fact that in February 1973 he was elected to the Third Senate of Priests. In 1979 he was appointed to the Diocesan Council of Sites and Architecture for a five-year term.  

Then in July 1981 he was elected as Central Region Delegate to the Bishop’s Senate of Priests till 1984. He was also elected to the Senate Executive in 1983 and 1984 and Deputy Chairman in 1984. Again in 1996 he was appointed as Regional Delegate for the LeFevre region for the Council of Priests – a five-year term.

Golfing ardour; hole-in-one

Despite his age Terry always tried to maintain an active lifestyle. He was a keen golfer and rarely missed his weekly game at the Glenelg Golf Course. He had a notable moment of fame when he achieved a hole-in-one at Glenelg – I think everyone on the course heard the yell of delight! It was a memorable talking point for a long time after. 

Terry wouldn’t be described as an extravert, yet he had a wonderful sense of dry humour which meant he fitted in well in any company. He was regarded as a great contributor to community life at Murphy Villa and his sudden death there was a very sad experience for his brother priests.  

Only a week before his death he seemed hale and hearty as ever. At a priests regional meeting he quipped on behalf of his fellow residents at Murphy Villa that unlike the reports of most parishes, there had been no celebrations of First Communion among the residents. Such was his dry sense of humour.

Serene and determined to the end

Throughout his life Terry radiated a serenity and determination that allowed him apparently to glide through life, placid and unruffled. It was true in his seminary days among students so much younger than himself, and it continued throughout his life in parishes and in retirement.

May he rest in peace.