Sky Pilot Fellowship

The Sky Pilot Fellowship was an evangelical Christian organisation set up by Gwen and Keith Langford-Smith, who fostered Aboriginal children on their Kellyville farm property, which became Marella Mission Farm.

Keith Langford-Smith was a pilot and Anglican missionary who had lived in the Northern Territory, and had run Roper Mission for the Church Missionary Society in the 1930s, before being dismissed under controversial circumstances with allegations about sexual and financial misconduct.

Sky Pilot Fellowship was incorporated as a not-for-profit organisation on 23 May 1949. The Sky Pilot Fellowship conducted Christian radio broadcasts and raised money for Marella. In October 1954 the Sky Pilot Fellowship Ltd was formed as a non-profit organisation, and began operating as a company on 1 April 1955.

Keith Langford-Smith was permanent Director of Sky Pilot Fellowship Ltd, with Norma Warwick acting as Secretary-Treasurer. Keith’s wife Gwen was also involved.

In April 1978 Marella Mission Farm Ltd was formed to take over the assets and liabilities of the Sky Pilot Foundation, so that the land at Kellyville could be donated. At this time Marella ceased operating as an institution and children were transferred to Church of England group homes.

Marella Mission Farm Ltd continued to sponsor the Church of England Homes Marella Project, also known as Marella Aboriginal Temporary Care, a family group home for Aboriginal children. As a sponsor, Marella Ltd had a seat on the Marella Management Committee.

Marella Mission Farm Ltd was wound up in 1986.