Darrin Atkinson’s life has been one of constant movement and growth, but it’s in the small town of Wilcannia where he and his wife Trish have found their calling.

Born in Maroopna, near Shepparton, Darrin’s childhood was spent traversing Australia’s vast landscape.

At around six years old, his family headed north to Brisbane, the Gold Coast and Katherine before making their way back down through the middle of the country, stopping in Mount Gambier before settling in Melbourne, where he spent most of his formative years.

“I’ve grown out of that big smoke,” Darrin said with a chuckle.

“It’s nice to get out of the hustle and bumper-to-bumper stuff and get some nice peace and quiet now.”

His journey eventually led him to Kalgoorlie, where a pivotal moment awaited.

Travelling to Brisbane to meet his future wife at Bible College, Darrin discovered a partnership built on shared faith and values.

“We started that way with both having the same belief sort of thing,” he explained.

After a couple of years of study, Darrin felt the pull to put theory into practice.

“I thought, I don’t want to spend three or four years just studying. Let’s get out there and do it.”

Their ministry work began in Ivanhoe, where Darrin took on a role managing the local IGA supermarket.

“That was a great way to meet everyone in town,” he recalled.

The position allowed him to connect with the community whilst sharing his faith.

Tragedy struck when one of the owners suffered a fatal heart attack, an experience that deeply affected the couple and reinforced their calling to support others.

From Ivanhoe, their path wound through Brisbane, Yamba and various coastal towns before circumstances brought them to Wilcannia.

Trish had been to Wilcannia previously, about 13 years before they arrived together, and had family connections in the area.

But it was a church split some 15 or 16 years ago that created the opening for their return.

“The minister left and none of them came back,” Darrin explained.

“So, we decided to come in and take over that role, to let them know that there’s still someone here.”

Their approach to ministry is refreshingly unconventional.

Operating as Wilcannia Fellowship, they’ve eschewed traditional church structure in favour of something more intimate and authentic.

“We stick to the Book of Acts, which says they went from house to house, just sharing the word together,” Darrin said. "It's not about the pastor or the preacher, but it's about everyone.”

Their gatherings are characterised by simplicity and genuine connection.

“We can do a few songs, have a bit of praise and worship. If you can find a guitar or some spoons to bang on a box, whatever it is, we don't need professionals. We just need normal people to come together.”

Financial contributions aren’t solicited through formal collections.

Instead, the philosophy is straightforward; “If you can put in a dollar, put in a dollar.

“If you can do a hundred, put a hundred. But that’s all it is, giving whatever your purpose in your heart.”

Darrin plays three-string guitar whilst Trish provides vocals, creating music that prioritises participation over perfection.

Their ministry extends well beyond Sunday gatherings.

Through their work in the community, they’ve become a point of contact for locals facing challenges, as well as strangers passing through who've encountered trouble on the road.

“We’ve gone out and rescued people from accidents or they've hit a roo, whatever the case, and we bring them back to our little nest till they recover,” Darrin said.

He recalled one couple who’d hit a kangaroo near the town’s roundabout, left with no money and trying to sleep in their car at a servo.

“We said, where are you from? Bring your wife, bring the car around here. We'll shout you a hotel room for the night.”

These acts of kindness serve a dual purpose.

“It’s improving the reputation of Wilcannia, one person at a time,” he said with a smile.

“If everyone did one good deed for someone, it’d make a big difference. Share the love but put it in action.”

For Darrin, the essence of effective help lies in making problems manageable.

“You’ve got to break it down into bite-size chunks where they can handle it and deal with it themselves,” he explained.

“Deal with it in bite-size chunks instead of the whole slab on your plate.”

Life in Wilcannia has suited the couple well.

“It’s real challenging, but it sort of grows on you after a while,” Darrin reflected.

The town’s size means they’re often the first point of contact when someone needs help, whether it’s practical advice or simply someone to talk things through with.

Recently, Darrin has taken on an unexpected role running the local radio station after previous staff moved on.

“It sort of caught me by surprise,” he admitted.

“I’ll do my best to keep the music going in the meantime.”

The radio provides another avenue for connection, giving locals, particularly younger people, a chance to come out of their shell and have new experiences.

“I’m over trying to be perfect,” he laughed.

“If you mess up, have a laugh. That’s what I love most of all about this town, just be real.”

With their adult children soon to establish their own homes, Darrin and Trish are looking forward to having more freedom to occasionally escape for a week here or there.

“Sometimes a small town’s like being in a little fishbowl,” he said.

“You’ve got to do a Nemo sometimes, jump out of that bowl, go and check out some different areas. We're so blessed; we’ve got a big backyard, the whole of Australia. Go and take some time out, stretch your legs, sit down by a lake or river or ocean.”

But Wilcannia remains home, and they plan to spend the rest of their days there.

Darrin’s parting wisdom is characteristically pragmatic’ “Get in and do your best. Don’t worry if you mess up. Making mistakes is part of learning.

It’s okay to make mistakes, it’s not the end of the world. Learn from it. Then we’ve got a bit of experience to share with others so they don't fall into the same trap.”

It’s a philosophy that has served him well through a life of constant movement, and one that continues to guide his work in building community and connection in Wilcannia.