Born and bred in Perth WA, Alf joined the RAAF in 1978 and graduated from the RAAF Academy four years later with a Science degree and a Graduate Diploma in Military Aviation. Following RAAF Pilot’s Course, Alf’s operational tours included flying the AP-3C Orion, and then 20 years as an Experimental Test Pilot with the RAAF’s Aircraft Research and Development Unit (ARDU). On promotion to Wing Commander, Alf Commanded ARDU for four years. Alf was awarded the D.J. Knight's Award for Flight Test Excellence (‘Test Pilot of the Year’) two years running. A four year posting at the Defence Force Safety Bureau (DFSB) as an Aviation Accident Investigator (AAI) culminating in being the Chief of Staff.
Alf left Defence in early 2016 and joined the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) as the National Manager of Aviation Safety Advisors. Late 2017, Alf moved on to become the Chief Pilot of a medium-sized, Canberra headquartered airline called Corporate-Air. He currently flies the SAAB 340B on Regular Public Transport operations, and the Cessna Conquest in Charter and Aerial work operations.
Alf has flown over 60 different aircraft types (ranging from gliders, a Pitts Special through to the P-51D Mustang, the Seahawk helicopter, F/A-18, F-16, up to the C141 Starlifter), has flown 1.5 times the speed of sound, pulled +9.0G and flown up to 50,000 feet; with over 10,000 flying hours in his Logbook, Alf has been extremely fortunate to have seen the world through aviation.
Alf became a Christian on the night of 29 Aug 1989 in Adelaide. Over the years, Alf has been actively involved in evangelistic outreach, leading homegroups and spoken at numerous churches and venues as God has led him. He is currently a member of Tuggeranong Baptist Church, ACT.
Alf is married to Lori and have five children between them. He is a life member of the International Society of Experimental Test Pilots (SETP), Vice President of the Australian Society of Air Safety Investigators (ASASI), and in the final stage of completing a Masters in Aviation Management. An avid snow skier, bushwalker and sailor, Alf is also a current black belt instructor in International Taekwondo.
If you are looking for perfect safety, you will do well to sit on a fence and watch the birds; but if you really wish to learn, you must mount a machine and become acquainted with its tricks by actual trial.’ — Wilbur Wright, from an address to the Western Society of Engineers in Chicago, 18 September 1901
Your Commitment:
1. Watch the Session and work through the Guide and then
2. Meet as arranged to discuss with Ian.
How to Download the Tuggeranong Baptist Church App on your device:
Follow instructions in the Keep in Touch PDF
How to sign up:
Open the Tuggeranong Baptist Church
Logon to your Profile and create your profile including your email address and phone number.
Under preferences: Check True North Series – Term 3 2026
What happens next:
Ian will extract a list of all who have signed up and contact you to arrange discussion the discussions on each session.
Access to the True North series
The sessions can be accessed and viewed at any time on the Olive Tree Media website https://www.olivetreemedia.com.au/watch/membership-levels/ and use the Access Code: S6DE8250D86 as the church is an Olive Tree Media partner.
You may watch any of the other series on the site.
Participants' Guides
Open PDF for discussion guides.
JOHN DICKSON
AUSTRALIAN WRITER, SPEAKER, AND ACADEMIC.
PUBLIC ADVOCATE FOR THE CHRISTIAN FAITH
“The Antidote to Christian Shyness” Psalm 96
John 2025 Dickson's message on the Antidote to Christian Shyness will be included in the service on 23 November 2025.
Find out more about John Dickson at Bio — John Dickson
Sunday Topics and Dates
Sunday, November 30th The Promise of Light Isaiah 9:1-7
Isaiah begins this prophecy stating that amid spiritual darkness, the blackness that plagued Israel and plagues us today, is pierced by the light of God’s salvation.
Sunday, December 7th. (Communion) The Overcoming Light John 1:1-18
The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it” (John 1:5), or “has not been able to overcome it.”
Sunday, December 14th The Light of God’s Glory Luke 2:8-20
Luke shows us that common people were included in the story of the birth as they were bowled over by the light of God’s glory
Sunday, December 21th The Guiding Light Matthew 2:1-12
The guiding light led the Magi to the Christ child—the same light that leads all people to r Jesus
Sunday, December 25th (Christmas Day) Jesus Is the Light of the World John 8:12
“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life” (John 9:12).