Pinjarra Uniting Church Hosts Inspiring ‘At Home’ Event
On Friday 22 May, the Pinjarra Uniting Church came alive with music, fellowship, and inspiring stories as it hosted its annual Uniting Church Adult Fellowship (UCAF) “At Home” function.
The morning was a beautiful reminder of the power of community, bringing together local voices and shedding light on the vital chaplaincy work happening right in our backyard.
A walk down memory lane
The morning kicked off with a beautiful performance by Voices in Harmony, a local all-women community choir.
The choir treated guests to a nostalgic “walk down memory lane,” filling the church with familiar melodies. Their diverse repertoire moved the audience through a range of emotions, from the timeless hymn Amazing Grace through to a powerful finale of You’ll Never Walk Alone.
Spotlight on chaplaincy: meeting Justin Hill
Following the musical interlude, attendees heard from the event’s guest speaker, Justin Hill. Justin is a Youthcare Chaplain who has been a pillar of the Pinjarra High School community since 1999.
Over the last 27 years, Justin has built a reputation as a trusted, non-judgmental, and non-disciplinary support system. He is deeply liked by staff, students, and parents alike, largely because he makes it a priority to simply have time to care. Early in his career, Justin learned the importance of intentionally strolling through the school grounds just to ensure he is visible and approachable to anyone who needs a chat.
When asked about his role, Justin humorously described himself as the school’s “Selleys Gap Filler.” From driving the school bus and doing dishes in the staff room to helping de-escalate a tense situation by calmly removing a difficult student from a classroom to give them space, Justin is willing to do whatever it takes to support the school ecosystem.
By stepping into these gaps, chaplains truly act as the “glue” that holds a school community together.
Real support where it’s needed most
Justin’s day-to-day work covers a massive spectrum of care, helping students navigate:
- Peer and family relationship counselling
- General school issues and mental health difficulties
- Hardship and referrals to external specialist services
His work also extends far beyond the emotional. Justin coordinates vital practical outreach to families facing financial hardship, helping secure food, uniforms, school list items, and funding for camps and excursions.
He is a key fixture at the school’s Breakfast Club, which feeds 40 to 50 students every single morning (proudly sponsored by Bendigo Bank and Foodbank), and lends his presence to formal school ministry events, such as ANZAC Day assemblies.
One of Justin’s major achievements is running the G.R.I.T. program (Growth, Resilience, Integrity, and Traction).
G.R.I.T. uses experiential learning activities to promote personal growth and build resilience in young people. By equipping students with the tools they need to approach life’s challenges and changes with confidence, Justin witnesses genuine, positive, long-term improvements in the lives of Pinjarra’s youth.
How you can support local chaplaincy
While Justin loves the prayerful backing of his local community, he is eager to see this vital support spread across the state. Dedicated school chaplains are working hard in almost every neighbourhood, and they would deeply appreciate the backing of local prayer groups and congregation connections.
If you or your Uniting Church WA prayer group would like to support a chaplain making a difference in your area, you can reach out to Youthcare’s head office to find out who is serving in your local area and join their prayer lists – https://youthcare.org.au/contact-us
Note: If you are local to the Pinjarra area and would specifically like to join Justin’s local support list, you can reach him directly at [email protected]
Thank you to the Pinjarra UCAF for organising such a wonderful morning of fellowship, and to Justin and all our WA chaplains for their incredible service to our young people!
Story and photos by Andrea Garvey
