November 17, 1951 – October 29, 2025
By Phillip Hunter
Francis David White was affectionately locally known as ‘Padre Frank’.
Frank was an ordained Minister to the Presbyterian Church and his title was Reverend Frank White.
Prior to his retirement and moving to Tamborine Mountain more than 10 years ago, Frank was a Commissioned Officer with the Australian Army, holding the position and rank of Chaplain.
Frank’s past is quite a long and interesting story.
He originally trained as an Aircraft mechanic with TAA and then joined the Australian Army as an enlisted soldier.
Frank left the Army to study theology, became a minister, and then gained his aircraft pilot’s licence and travelled throughout Far North Qld as a religious minister.
Later in life Frank would re-engage with the Australian Army as a Chaplain at the Enoggera Barracks in Brisbane.
On arriving on Tamborine Mountain Frank immediately set about to volunteer in his retired ministerial role.
He made himself known and joined the local RSL Sub Branch where he was welcomed to the membership of the Sub Branch as the new Padre, and thus, the affectionate term ‘Padre Frank’, began on Tamborine Mountain.
Over the years, Frank would preside over and bless countless RSL functions from ANZAC Day to the Christmas Luncheon with pride, dignity and grace befitting his position.
However, Frank’s community spirit and generosity didn’t just remain with the RSL, he also volunteered with the local Police Station as a ‘Man of the Cloth’.
Frank would spend time and counsel with local Police Officers, not to mention his famous deliveries of ANZAC Slice.
He evolved into the wider District Police area as a volunteer Padre.
Frank’s volunteer role even took him to the Gold Coast, after the Seaworld helicopter collision in 2023 to provide counselling to police and first responders.
His community spirit and volunteer work also included several other organisations on Tamborine Mountain.
He was volunteer Chaplain to the local Queesland Fire and Rescue Service, the Rural Fire Service, and the State Emergency Service. He also performed volunteer work at the Senior Citizens Retirement Village – Roslyn Lodge and RE (religious education) at local schools.
Frank’s volunteer efforts were tireless, he was there during bush fires, driving buses for the SES, he was there at the time of crisis for the tornado and cyclone.
His community spirit was endless.
He will be sorely missed on Tamborine Mountain, the depth of his generosity will not be easily replaced and people like Frank are difficult to find in today’s modern and busy world.
Frank’s life was celebrated at a service at the Living Church, Carina on November 12, 2025.
