He grew up in the Anglican Church in Newcastle, and his entire family was involved in one way or another.
But after finishing high school he went in another direction, working in the retail industry with Dick Smith, Jaycar and a few others for 25 years.
It was after a discussion with a priest in his home town of Wallsend, Newcastle that he returned to his original career goal.
After being ordained he worked in Orange and Bathurst, and has now joined the St Paul’s Anglican Church community in Deniliquin.
“He (the Priest in Wallsend) gave me the number of someone I could talk to, and I started theological college; God will get you in the end,” he said.
“When I was in school I sought the guidance of others, and my grandmother - who was one of those people in the community who was always a helper, and who was a significant example in my life - said ‘you should have something to fall back on’.
“So I did go in another direction.
“It was an easy road to take really, but the easy road is not always the best road.”
Fr Tim said while he was completely content in the retail field, he felt it was time for him to pursue his other goal in life.
“It was time to serve God, and not myself.
“I was ordained in the Bathurst Diocese and spent my first 12 months in Orange, where I was also Chaplin to the Anglican Grammar school.
“I then went to Kelso where I stayed until January 1 this year.
“I am here to lead people in worship to God.
“What we do is bring people to a God who loves them.”
Fr Tim was initially approached to come to St Paul’s in Deniliquin last year, after Rev Wayne Sheean advised the diocese he would be moving on.
He visited Deniliquin with his wife Karen at the time to get a feel for the community, after which they decided to make the move.
“I was here in June last year, coming to have a look around after a discussion with the Bishop of Riverina.
“It was about getting a feel for the place, and on the way back to Bathurst Karen and I both said we liked the town.
“There was nothing that turned us off; it was a town we felt comfortable in straight away.
“The churches in Deni are not necessarily full, but we provide comfort for people.
“I believe people have an inherent faithfulness - that is they know they need God but don’t always know how to seek it out.
“That’s why we are here.”
Karen is a nurse and has joined the team at the Deniliquin Health Service.
Fr Tim said while his work in Deniliquin is not too different to his previous roles at Orange and Bathurst, his surroundings certainly are.
“This is quite a different church to the others I have been in.
“The church in Newscastle is of the 1800s and quite traditional, and Holy Trinity Kelso is the oldest church west of the Great Dividing Range, so this is a fantastic space to be in.
“Not having fixed pews means we can move things around if needed, and standing at the alter I can see the community around us.”
While he has only been in Deniliquin for four months, Fr Tim said he could see himself and Karen settling in the community for an extended period.
“We won’t be leaving in a hurry,” he said.
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