Six families, 15 children, 100 guests and one Patrol Minister gathered in the heart of outback Queensland for the Nebine Bush Christening.

Frontier Services Patrol Minister Rev John Case baptised all of the children on the tennis courts of the Nebine Community Centre as friends and family watched on.

The Nebine Centre, 190km west of Mitchell, is a social and recreational hub for the families in the surrounding region, providing a place where they can take time out, relax and share the load.

The families asked Mr Case to conduct the ‘mass’ baptism because of his strong connection to the community.

Mr Case became the Burke and Wills Patrol Minister in 2002. He visits families across the patrol – an area which covers 300,000sq km and about 280 properties – and provides them with practical and spiritual support wherever he can.

He is backed up by other Frontier Services staff delivering mobile children’s services, in-home child care and volunteer assistance.

It was the most children Mr Case had ever baptised at the one time. He said the location of the baptism at the community centre and the presence of so many community members was significant, as it was the community who would support the families and their children as they grow up.

Amanda Bowen, whose children, Jack, 4, Charlie, 2, and Luke, 9 months, were baptised said it was a lovely day.

“All the guests relaxed and enjoyed live music from Maggie Burey as well as enjoying a very yummy camp oven dinner and desert cooked by Laurie and Deb Bateman from Bollon.”