Robert Mitchell (Presbyterian minister)

In 1872 he began pastoral work in Clare.^[1] In 1882 he set up a congregation in Port Augusta. In 1884 he and Rev. W. F. Main organized the Smith of Dunesk Mission. The mission's base was at Beltana and the parish covered 77,700 km². Mitchell was the first missionary at Beltana^[2] and for the next four years Mitchell travelled widely and provided a range of services, including first aid and dentistry, in addition to the usual religious services.^[3] His work underpinned that of Rev. John Flynn and the development of the Royal Flying Doctor Service.^[3]

He died at Goodwood in 1929 and was buried in Payneham Cemetery.^[1]