Uniting Church in Australia
Northern Synod

In 1973 Len Capps, a Cowra boy, answered the call to mission. He went to work as a builder for the Uniting Church in Nangalala in Arnhem Land, teaching Aboriginal men how to maintain their houses. After Cyclone Tracey struck in 1974, Len went to Darwin to assist the Uniting church in re-roofing and helping people get back into their homes.

During his time at Nangalala Len developed a significant friendship with a lady, Alison Davies, who was then working at Milingimbi. Alison said, “He visited me, popped the question and left me with a blank cheque to purchase an engagement ring!” Len and Alison married in Darwin in 1976 and returned to Ramingining, a new town six kilometres from Nangalala, where they spent two years before moving to Perth to start their family.

When son Matthew was just six months old, the family left Perth so Len could work as manager of the Housing Association in Ernabella, in the far north of South Australia. After four years, now joined by daughter Sharon, the family moved to Darwin for the children’s schooling.

While living in the Northern Territory, Len continued to freely share his skills, and spent 11 years working at the Bagot Aboriginal Community.

Len and Alison left their home of 15 years to help Rev Lloyd Beynon and his congregation out of the mud after the flooding in Katherine. An ear operation meant to restore his hearing left Len permanently deaf and affected his balance.

Daughter Sharon’s marriage in Perth prompted Len and Alison to make another move to the west, where they joined the Greenwood Uniting Church.

Len’s work while living in Marangaroo has been mainly screen repairs, and lock and key replacements. Len made sure that his work program was fitting around being able to be at the Warwick Bowling Club for Pennants on Thursday afternoons. He was also a keen attender of the working bees held every Monday.

On 31 January 2012 Len, aged 64, was diagnosed with cancer and passed on just three weeks later. We thank God for the life and witness to Jesus Christ in the many places Len lived and worked.

From the Trinity North Uniting Church, Western Australia

n their houses. After Cyclone Tracey struck in 1974, Len went to Darwin to assist the Uniting church in re-roofing and helping people get back into their homes.

During his time at Nangalala Len developed a significant friendship with a lady, Alison Davies, who was then working at Milingimbi. Alison said, “He visited me, popped the question and left me with a blank cheque to purchase an engagement ring!” Len and Alison married in Darwin in 1976 and returned to Ramingining, a new town six kilometres from Nangalala, where they spent two years before moving to Perth to start their family.

When son Matthew was just six months old, the family left Perth so Len could work as manager of the Housing Association in Ernabella, in the far north of South Australia. After four years, now joined by daughter Sharon, the family moved to Darwin for the children’s schooling.

While living in the Northern Territory, Len continued to freely share his skills, and spent 11 years working at the Bagot Aboriginal Community.

Len and Alison left their home of 15 years to help Rev Lloyd Beynon and his congregation out of the mud after the flooding in Katherine. An ear operation meant to restore his hearing left Len permanently deaf and affected his balance.

Daughter Sharon’s marriage in Perth prompted Len and Alison to make another move to the west, where they joined the Greenwood Uniting Church.

Len’s work while living in Marangaroo has been mainly screen repairs, and lock and key replacements. Len made sure that his work program was fitting around being able to be at the Warwick Bowling Club for Pennants on Thursday afternoons. He was also a keen attender of the working bees held every Monday.

On 31 January 2012 Len, aged 64, was diagnosed with cancer and passed on just three weeks later. We thank God for the life and witness to Jesus Christ in the many places Len lived and worked.

From the Trinity North Uniting Church, Western Australia