Before Dave Parker had even sat down at his desk, he was on a plane to Darwin. Three days into his role as Frontier Services’ new National Director, Dave sat with Elders from the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress (UAICC), ready to listen, learn and understand. It set the tone for everything that’s followed.
Listening first
Dave’s first stop as National Director says a lot about how he leads. Meeting with the UAICC in his first week, he was upfront about not having all the answers.
“I would always apologise first and say, ‘I’m sorry if this sounds like a silly question, but I would love to know…'” he recalls. “And they would always graciously and lovingly journey me through parts of their culture.”
It’s a principle he comes back to often, meeting people where they’re at.
“We all come from different cultures, angles and upbringing. Our outlook on life can be quite different, and yet we all have much to learn from each other. It can be tempting in leadership to move quickly to solutions. But trust is built in paying attention, asking good questions, and taking the time to understand what is really needed. I believe in the importance of presence and being there for people. Just turning up and staying in the relationship matters.”
Leadership shaped by purpose
Dave brings 25 years of leadership experience across the commercial and not-for-profit sectors, most recently with Scripture Union Australia, where he worked closely with chaplains, volunteers and supporters. But it was Frontier Services’ unique way of serving that drew him here.
“For me, having some form of legacy, being able to have an impact in the lives of people, is really important. There is such a strong sense of purpose here.”
He’s also felt the weight of what he’s stepped into.
“I have also been struck by the responsibility that comes with the history of this organisation. There’s a deep sense of pride in what has been built, and a heartfelt commitment to carrying it forward. I want to ensure we can keep showing up for generations to come, and keep partnering with people across Australia to reach rural and remote communities.”
For Dave, that responsibility isn’t his to carry alone.
“We are all in this together. We are all contributing. That is the nature of Frontier Services. It is not just the Bush Chaplains, not just the volunteers, and not just the staff. It is a whole community seeking to help and support others.”
A deep respect for life in the Outback
While Dave lives in the city, he holds a deep respect for people in Outback communities.
“I think of the farmers. Their entire livelihood revolves around the sun and the rain. They need good water for their crops, and they need the sun to grow. Those of us living in the city don’t have those same constraints. That reality, and the distance that people feel, affects things like services, which are harder to come by out there. There is a genuine cost to daily life.”
He’s also careful about how that story gets told.
“I also want to be careful not to speak about rural and remote communities only through hardship, because they are amazing people. They are some of the most genuine and hardworking people you will meet. Our role is to stand alongside that, to celebrate it, to enjoy it, and not to speak over it.”
A message of thanks
Dave’s first message to everyone who supports Frontier Services is a simple one: thank you.
“Thank you to those who have carried this work for so long: our generous supporters, Outback Links volunteers, Bush Chaplains, partners, staff, and the rural and remote communities that welcome us in, allowing us to stand alongside them. As I begin, I come with gratitude, and a commitment to listen and to learn. The need for supporting people in the bush remains real, and I really look forward to continuing this vital work together.”
“Thank you for entrusting me with this role, and for welcoming me into the community.”
Dave’s approach to his new role as National Director says a lot about what Frontier Services stands for: showing up, listening well, and staying in the relationship for the long haul. It’s the same spirit that carries every Bush Chaplain and Outback Links volunteer into rural and remote communities across Australia, and it’s one Dave is committed to carrying forward for generations to come.
This story first appeared in the August 2026 edition of Frontier News. Want more stories like this one delivered straight to you? Subscribe to Frontier News to stay informed.
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