The H.F. Leatherland Trust

Harold Fulton Leatherland was born in England in 1909 and ordained into the ministry of the Congregational Churches in 1933. After several parishes in England and 12 years at Leeds between 1944 and 1956 the family came to Australia where Dr Leatherland was Principal of Camden College, Sydney, and then from 1960 Principal of the Congregational College at Kew, Melbourne. He was also pastor to the College Church Parkville until 1976.

He was one of the people instrumental in establishing the United Faculty of Theology and served as its President from 1969 until his retirement. He died in August 1977.

Dr Leatherland’s main academic contribution was in the field of liturgical study.  He was a lecturer for the Catholic Theological College and the Catholic National Pastoral Institute. He was involved with the Ecumenical Affairs Committee of the Catholic and Anglican dioceses of Melbourne. His ecumenical activity led directly to the founding of the Ecumenical Liturgical Centre based in his own home, and from that its association with the Societas Liturgica and since 1988 as the Victorian Chapter of the Australian Academy of Liturgy.

The H.F. Leatherland Exhibition is awarded bi-ennially (the next award being due in 2004). The Exhibition valued at $500.00 is open to any person in Australia, and to persons in other countries enrolled for an MCD degree or diploma.  The awarded is given for an essay of 3,000 to 5,000 words on a subject in the liturgical field set by the Melbourne College of Divinity and the Victorian Chapter of the AAL.

The following topic has been chosen for 2004 prize.

‘Secular societies increasingly have the need to celebrate, commemorate and mourn.’ In what ways might the Christian liturgical tradition offer resources for such ‘public worship’? Essays may include analysis of particular public rites.

The due date for submissions is October 31^st 2004.

Further information can be obtained from the Convenor of the Victorian Chapter of the Australian Academy of Liturgy or from the Registrar, Melbourne College of Divinity.