The Ven David Thornton-Wakeford (known as David or DTW)
Written in 2024 for the 50th Anniversary of his Ordination as a Priest
David studied at St Michaels House, Crafers, was ordained Deacon in 1973 and Priest in 1974. He met and married Deborah in 1976 at St Theordore’s. Their first parish was Kidman Park and Flinders Park. Concurrently, David was ADF Chaplain to the Fourth Military District based at Keswick Barracks. He served as Precentor, St Georges Cathedral Perth and various parishes in WA, gained a Master of Theology from the Wollaston Centre for Spirituality and was appointed Archdeacon of Mitchell. David was Chaplain of Swanleigh Anglican Residential College and made an Archdeacon Emeritus. During the 22 years in WA Deborah and David had three children – William, Sarah and Julia.
In 2001 David and family returned to SA, accepting the call to the Parish of Burnside. He became Archdeacon of Sturt in 2003. Moving to Parkside in 2008 and was co-founder of the St. Oswald Centre for Spirituality in 2009. He retired from full-time ministry in 2014 but continued in Spiritual Direction leading Clergy, Lay Retreats, serving several Locum Tenens appointments in Adelaide and interstate. David was invested as Chaplain to the South Australian Commandery of the Order of St Lazarus of Jerusalem. He is author of four publications: If Fish is all you want; After the Wedding; Being Fully Alive and Wine, Waiting and Wonder.
David’s working days are Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays. He will be available outside of his usual working hours, in the case of emergencies, at 08 7112 4945 (which may go to voice mail) and emails daviddtw76@gmail.com. These will be answered as soon as practicable.
Recent photograph of David and Deborah taken at Government House Brisbane
