Bookmaker Enters Ministry

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31134, 10 August 1966, Page 15

Bookmaker Enters Ministry

i CN Z Press Assn.—Copyright) ADELAIDE, August 9. A well-known Adelaide bookmaker, Mr Perth Wheatley, has relinquished his licence as a bookmaker to join the Church of England ministry. His explanation was simply, “God.” Mr Wheatley will begin two years’ study at St. Barnabas in February. He first i decided he wanted to be a i minister about eight years ■ ago and has been studying part-time for five years. |

Mr Wheatley’s application to join the ministry was recently accepted by the Bishop of Adelaide. He obtained his bookmaker’s licence 12 years ago. “People w'ho are down on bookmaking never bother to find out what it is all about,”. Mr Wheatley said. “1 have been accepted by. church people even though 1 am a racing man,” he said. "Although my father has; been mixed up in the racing game for years he is com-;’ pletely happy with my deci- ■ jsion to join the ministry." I]

Mr Wheatley, who is aged 33. is ntarried with four children. “I realise there will be a considerable loss of income when I join the ministry,” he; said. They will have to move out of their two-storey home at Brighton when Mr Wheatley takes up his studies. “This is something I’ve been called to do and I intend to go ahead and do it.” . “It might be difficult with the four children but there; will be no insurmountable: I problems,” he said. I