AN Australian clergyman has swapped the sunshine of Brisbane to take up a new post in Didcot and Wallingford.

Rev Dr David Rankin, 57, has given up his job as principal of Trinity Theological College, Brisbane, to move to Oxfordshire as the towns’ Methodist minister.

A sports-mad Aussie who grew up in Melbourne, Dr Rankin last lived in the UK for a year in 1987.

He was ordained 30 years ago and has taught at the theological college for the last 18 years.

He said: “I had had enough and was interested in going back into pastoral ministry. I always wanted to live and work in the UK and when this opportunity appeared, I accepted.

“The welcome from people inside the church has been very, very warm.”

He will be one of four ministers working in the Abingdon and Wantage circuit, which has 11 churches.

He said: “I love the area: both Oxford itself, and driving round the area. To tell the truth, I love the green fields of England.

“I don’t know Oxfordshire that well. I had heard of Abingdon, and I remember standing on a station platform in Didcot at some point in the past, waiting to change trains.

“I am interested in history and archaeology, so that is part of the attraction of this area.”

A widower, he has come to Didcot with his son Michael, 25, and had to leave fiancée Julie, a hospital chaplain, behind in Brisbane.

He said it could take some time getting used to the English weather — “I have to say that when it is a beautiful day here, it is as good as anywhere. Michael and I will be some of the few people in the town who cannot complain about the weather: everyone else has been born here, we have chosen to come here.”

His five-year appointment started this month with a welcome reception, and he preached for the first time at Wallingford.

A Manchester United football fan, who also follows Aussie Rules team Collingwood Magpies, he is looking forward to the London Olympics in 2012.

He said: “I’ve experienced Australia holding the Olympics in 2000, and it was fantastic. It will be a great time for the UK.

“I also love cricket and I’m looking forward to the Ashes, although it will not be a good time for Australia to lose when I am actually living here.”

Dr Rankin’s predecessor, Rev Helen White, has moved to take up a position in Derby.