Leaving behind suburban Melbourne, Mr Frazer has joined the newly formed Uniting Church Hopkins region grouping in which he and two other ministers will serve the four parishes of Allansford, Mortlake, Port Fairy and Warrnambool. 

Mr Frazer is known in his previous parishes for his creative and passionate outlook on life and has been largely involved in working with children and families. 

“I’ve really enjoyed working with families and children and I think there will be a chance here for me to get my puppets and guitar out,” he said. 

Mr Frazer’s wife, Anne, has taken up a teaching role at Timboon P-12 School while the couple’s grown children have stayed in Melbourne. 

“We’re not doing the whole empty nest thing, we did the opposite and left the kids in the nest,” he said. Mr Frazer said he was excited to be involved in the local community. 

He was welcomed by Reverend Barrie Baker: “Malcolm brings new skills and enthusiasm to the region and completes our ministry team.”

“His presence will be particularly positive for the Mortlake and Allansford congregations, who have been operating largely without ongoing ordained ministry in recent years.” 

While sharing a similar name with former prime minister Malcolm Fraser, and former member for Wannon, the similarities stop there, with Mr Frazer more interested in serving the community rather than any political aspirations.

“It really used to happen all the time with people asking me if I’m Malcolm Fraser but it’s happening less and less with the younger generations. A lot of them don’t know who he is now but I still try to milk it for all that it’s worth.”