Pastor David Shrimpton, 57, known as the "flying padre" pilots the Uniting Church's Flying Patrol airplane from Broken Hill to Pooncarie, Australia, December 15, 2021. Since 2003 Shrimpton has been flying to some of Australia's most isolated communities to talk and listen to a scattered flock. That largely stopped last year when Australia introduced some of the world's strictest COVID-19 restrictions. Now, Shrimpton is taking to the skies again. "It will be great to go out again and reconnect with these folk, reconnect with the kids and be part of their school life once again, reconnect with the adults who are living remotely and, let them know that they're not forgotten," he told Reuters. REUTERS/Loren Elliott SEARCH "ELLIOTT FLYING PASTOR" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY 

Pastor David Shrimpton, 57, known as the "flying padre" pulls the Uniting Church's Flying Patrol airplane to a fuelling pump while preparing for air travel to visit remote communities around western New South Wales, at the airport in Broken Hill, Australia, December 14, 2021. Since 2003 Shrimpton has been flying to some of Australia's most isolated communities to talk and listen to a scattered flock. That largely stopped last year when Australia introduced some of the world's strictest COVID-19 restrictions. Now, Shrimpton is taking to the skies again. "It will be great to go out again and reconnect with these folk, reconnect with the kids and be part of their school life once again, reconnect with the adults who are living remotely and, let them know that they're not forgotten," he told Reuters. REUTERS/Loren Elliott SEARCH "ELLIOTT FLYING PASTOR" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES REUTERS/Loren Elliott 

Pastor David Shrimpton, 57, known as the "flying padre" dresses up as Santa Claus before speaking to young students about Christmas at School of the Air in Broken Hill, Australia, December 8, 2021. Since 2003 Shrimpton has been flying to some of Australia's most isolated communities to talk and listen to a scattered flock. That largely stopped last year when Australia introduced some of the world's strictest COVID-19 restrictions. Now, Shrimpton is taking to the skies again. "It will be great to go out again and reconnect with these folk, reconnect with the kids and be part of their school life once again, reconnect with the adults who are living remotely and, let them know that they're not forgotten," he told Reuters. REUTERS/Loren Elliott SEARCH "ELLIOTT FLYING PASTOR" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES. TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY 

Pastor David Shrimpton, 57, known as the "flying padre" speaks to young students about Christmas at School of the Air in Broken Hill, Australia, December 8, 2021. Since 2003 Shrimpton has been flying to some of Australia's most isolated communities to talk and listen to a scattered flock. That largely stopped last year when Australia introduced some of the world's strictest COVID-19 restrictions. Now, Shrimpton is taking to the skies again. "It will be great to go out again and reconnect with these folk, reconnect with the kids and be part of their school life once again" he told Reuters. REUTERS/Loren Elliott SEARCH "ELLIOTT FLYING PASTOR" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES 

Pastor David Shrimpton, 57, known as the "flying padre" and local resident Josh Sheard, take in the rising water levels of the Darling River while catching up in Pooncarie, Australia, December 15, 2021. Picture taken with a drone. REUTERS/Loren Elliott SEARCH "ELLIOTT FLYING PASTOR" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES 

A dead kangaroo decomposes in the bush near Broken Hill, Australia, December 14, 2021. Picture taken with a drone. REUTERS/Loren Elliott SEARCH "ELLIOTT FLYING PASTOR" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES 

Pastor David Shrimpton, 57, known as the "flying padre" speaks during Sunday morning service at the Uniting Church in Broken Hill, Australia, December 12, 2021. Since 2003 Shrimpton has been flying to some of Australia's most isolated communities to talk and listen to a scattered flock. That largely stopped last year when Australia introduced some of the world's strictest COVID-19 restrictions. Now, Shrimpton is taking to the skies again. "It will be great to go out again and reconnect with these folk, reconnect with the kids and be part of their school life once again, reconnect with the adults who are living remotely and, let them know that they're not forgotten," he told Reuters. REUTERS/Loren Elliott SEARCH "ELLIOTT FLYING PASTOR" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES 

Pastor David Shrimpton, 57, known as the "flying padre" ties down the Uniting Church's Flying Patrol airplane at a remote airstrip after flying from Broken Hill to Pooncarie, Australia, December 15, 2021. Since 2003 Shrimpton has been flying to some of Australia's most isolated communities to talk and listen to a scattered flock. That largely stopped last year when Australia introduced some of the world's strictest COVID-19 restrictions. Now, Shrimpton is taking to the skies again. "It will be great to go out again and reconnect with these folk, reconnect with the kids and be part of their school life once again, reconnect with the adults who are living remotely and, let them know that they're not forgotten," he told Reuters. REUTERS/Loren Elliott SEARCH "ELLIOTT FLYING PASTOR" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES 

Pastor David Shrimpton, 57, known as the "flying padre" greets kindergarten student Tate Parlato, 6, while delivering a Christmas message at School of the Air in Broken Hill, Australia, December 8, 2021. Since 2003 Shrimpton has been flying to some of Australia's most isolated communities to talk and listen to a scattered flock. That largely stopped last year when Australia introduced some of the world's strictest COVID-19 restrictions. Now, Shrimpton is taking to the skies again. "It will be great to go out again and reconnect with these folk, reconnect with the kids and be part of their school life once again, reconnect with the adults who are living remotely and, let them know that they're not forgotten," he told Reuters. REUTERS/Loren Elliott SEARCH "ELLIOTT FLYING PASTOR" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY 

Pastor David Shrimpton, 57, known as the "flying padre" orders at the bar of the local pub in the remote community of Pooncarie, Australia, December 15, 2021. Since 2003 Shrimpton has been flying to some of Australia's most isolated communities to talk and listen to a scattered flock. That largely stopped last year when Australia introduced some of the world's strictest COVID-19 restrictions. Now, Shrimpton is taking to the skies again. "It will be great to go out again and reconnect with these folk, reconnect with the kids and be part of their school life once again, reconnect with the adults who are living remotely and, let them know that they're not forgotten," he told Reuters. REUTERS/Loren Elliott SEARCH "ELLIOTT FLYING PASTOR" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES 

Pastor David Shrimpton, 57, known as the "flying padre" prepares to take off from a remote airstrip in Pooncarie, Australia, December 16, 2021. Since 2003 Shrimpton has been flying to some of Australia's most isolated communities to talk and listen to a scattered flock. That largely stopped last year when Australia introduced some of the world's strictest COVID-19 restrictions. Now, Shrimpton is taking to the skies again. "It will be great to go out again and reconnect with these folk, reconnect with the kids and be part of their school life once again, reconnect with the adults who are living remotely and, let them know that they're not forgotten," he told Reuters. REUTERS/Loren Elliott SEARCH "ELLIOTT FLYING PASTOR" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES 

Pastor David Shrimpton, 57, known as the "flying padre" pilots the Uniting Church's Flying Patrol airplane from Broken Hill to Pooncarie, Australia, December 15, 2021. REUTERS/Loren Elliott SEARCH "ELLIOTT FLYING PASTOR" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES
 

The Outback landscape of remote western New South Wales is seen from the Uniting Church's Flying Patrol airplane, as Pastor David Shrimpton flies from Broken Hill to Pooncarie, Australia, December 15, 2021. REUTERS/Loren Elliott SEARCH "ELLIOTT FLYING PASTOR" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES 

The Outback landscape of remote western New South Wales is seen from the Uniting Church's Flying Patrol airplane, as Pastor David Shrimpton flies from Pooncarie to Bindara Station near Menindee, Australia, December 16, 2021. REUTERS/Loren Elliott SEARCH "ELLIOTT FLYING PASTOR" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES 

Pastor David Shrimpton, 57, known as the "flying padre" closes a gate during an excursion with a local resident in Pooncarie, Australia, December 15, 2021. Since 2003 Shrimpton has been flying to some of Australia's most isolated communities to talk and listen to a scattered flock. That largely stopped last year when Australia introduced some of the world's strictest COVID-19 restrictions. Now, Shrimpton is taking to the skies again. "It will be great to go out again and reconnect with these folk, reconnect with the kids and be part of their school life once again, reconnect with the adults who are living remotely and, let them know that they're not forgotten," he told Reuters. REUTERS/Loren Elliott SEARCH "ELLIOTT FLYING PASTOR" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES 

Pastor David Shrimpton, 57, known as the "flying padre" (left) catches up with Josh Sheard (right), Lee Sheard (centre) and their son Lachlan Sheard, 5, outside the family's home in Pooncarie, Australia, December 15, 2021. Since 2003 Shrimpton has been flying to some of Australia's most isolated communities to talk and listen to a scattered flock. That largely stopped last year when Australia introduced some of the world's strictest COVID-19 restrictions. Now, Shrimpton is taking to the skies again. "It will be great to go out again and reconnect with these folk, reconnect with the kids and be part of their school life once again, reconnect with the adults who are living remotely and, let them know that they're not forgotten," he told Reuters. REUTERS/Loren Elliott SEARCH "ELLIOTT FLYING PASTOR" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES 

Pastor David Shrimpton, 57, known as the "flying padre" walks to the Uniting Church's Flying Patrol airplane before departing from a bush airstrip following a visit to a remote residence at Bindara Station near Menindee, Australia, December 16, 2021. Since 2003 Shrimpton has been flying to some of Australia's most isolated communities to talk and listen to a scattered flock. That largely stopped last year when Australia introduced some of the world's strictest COVID-19 restrictions. Now, Shrimpton is taking to the skies again. "It will be great to go out again and reconnect with these folk, reconnect with the kids and be part of their school life once again, reconnect with the adults who are living remotely and, let them know that they're not forgotten," he told Reuters. REUTERS/Loren Elliott SEARCH "ELLIOTT FLYING PASTOR" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES 

Pastor David Shrimpton, 57,known as the "flying padre" and resident Barb Arnold, look at the swollen Darling River, after flying in to her property's isolated airstrip at Bindara Station near Menindee, Australia, December 16, 2021. REUTERS/Loren Elliott SEARCH "ELLIOTT FLYING PASTOR" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES 

Pastor David Shrimpton, 57, known as the "flying padre" arrives at the Uniting Church to hold a Sunday morning service in Broken Hill, Australia, December 12, 2021. Since 2003 Shrimpton has been flying to some of Australia's most isolated communities to talk and listen to a scattered flock. That largely stopped last year when Australia introduced some of the world's strictest COVID-19 restrictions. Now, Shrimpton is taking to the skies again. "It will be great to go out again and reconnect with these folk, reconnect with the kids and be part of their school life once again, reconnect with the adults who are living remotely and, let them know that they're not forgotten," he told Reuters. REUTERS/Loren Elliott SEARCH "ELLIOTT FLYING PASTOR" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES 

Pastor David Shrimpton, 57, known as the "flying padre" prepares to hold a Sunday morning service at the Uniting Church in Broken Hill, Australia, December 12, 2021. Since 2003 Shrimpton has been flying to some of Australia's most isolated communities to talk and listen to a scattered flock. That largely stopped last year when Australia introduced some of the world's strictest COVID-19 restrictions. Now, Shrimpton is taking to the skies again. "It will be great to go out again and reconnect with these folk, reconnect with the kids and be part of their school life once again, reconnect with the adults who are living remotely and, let them know that they're not forgotten," he told Reuters. REUTERS/Loren Elliott SEARCH "ELLIOTT FLYING PASTOR" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES 

Pastor David Shrimpton, 57, known as the "flying padre" wears airplane cufflinks while attending an end of year awards celebration at School of the Air in Broken Hill, Australia, December 9, 2021. Since 2003 Shrimpton has been flying to some of Australia's most isolated communities to talk and listen to a scattered flock. That largely stopped last year when Australia introduced some of the world's strictest COVID-19 restrictions. Now, Shrimpton is taking to the skies again. "It will be great to go out again and reconnect with these folk, reconnect with the kids and be part of their school life once again, reconnect with the adults who are living remotely and, let them know that they're not forgotten," he told Reuters. REUTERS/Loren Elliott SEARCH "ELLIOTT FLYING PASTOR" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES 

Pastor David Shrimpton, 57, known as the "flying padre"greets year five student Isabelle Moroni, 11, and her baby sister Ruby Moroni upon arriving for a visit at Pooncarie Public School in Pooncarie, Australia, December 15, 2021. Since 2003 Shrimpton has been flying to some of Australia's most isolated communities to talk and listen to a scattered flock. That largely stopped last year when Australia introduced some of the world's strictest COVID-19 restrictions. Now, Shrimpton is taking to the skies again. "It will be great to go out again and reconnect with these folk, reconnect with the kids and be part of their school life once again, reconnect with the adults who are living remotely and, let them know that they're not forgotten," he told Reuters. REUTERS/Loren Elliott SEARCH "ELLIOTT FLYING PASTOR" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES 

Pastor David Shrimpton, 57, known as the "flying padre" plays musical chairs with children at Pooncarie Public School during a visit to the remote community of Pooncarie, Australia, December 15, 2021. Since 2003 Shrimpton has been flying to some of Australia's most isolated communities to talk and listen to a scattered flock. That largely stopped last year when Australia introduced some of the world's strictest COVID-19 restrictions. Now, Shrimpton is taking to the skies again. "It will be great to go out again and reconnect with these folk, reconnect with the kids and be part of their school life once again, reconnect with the adults who are living remotely and, let them know that they're not forgotten," he told Reuters. REUTERS/Loren Elliott SEARCH "ELLIOTT FLYING PASTOR" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES 

Pastor David Shrimpton, 57, known as the "flying padre" retrieves a ball from atop shrubbery for students at School of the Air in Broken Hill, Australia, December 9, 2021. Since 2003 Shrimpton has been flying to some of Australia's most isolated communities to talk and listen to a scattered flock. That largely stopped last year when Australia introduced some of the world's strictest COVID-19 restrictions. Now, Shrimpton is taking to the skies again. "It will be great to go out again and reconnect with these folk, reconnect with the kids and be part of their school life once again, reconnect with the adults who are living remotely and, let them know that they're not forgotten," he told Reuters. REUTERS/Loren Elliott SEARCH "ELLIOTT FLYING PASTOR" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES 

Pastor David Shrimpton, 57, known as the "flying padre" puts on a protective face mask with his Santa Claus costume before speaking to young students about Christmas at School of the Air in Broken Hill, Australia, December 8, 2021. Since 2003 Shrimpton has been flying to some of Australia's most isolated communities to talk and listen to a scattered flock. That largely stopped last year when Australia introduced some of the world's strictest COVID-19 restrictions. Now, Shrimpton is taking to the skies again. "It will be great to go out again and reconnect with these folk, reconnect with the kids and be part of their school life once again, reconnect with the adults who are living remotely and, let them know that they're not forgotten," he told Reuters. REUTERS/Loren Elliott SEARCH "ELLIOTT FLYING PASTOR" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES. TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY 

Pastor David Shrimpton, 57, known as the "flying padre" adjusts a protective face mask before speaking to young students about Christmas while dressed as Santa Claus at School of the Air in Broken Hill, Australia, December 8, 2021. Since 2003 Shrimpton has been flying to some of Australia's most isolated communities to talk and listen to a scattered flock. That largely stopped last year when Australia introduced some of the world's strictest COVID-19 restrictions. Now, Shrimpton is taking to the skies again. "It will be great to go out again and reconnect with these folk, reconnect with the kids and be part of their school life once again, reconnect with the adults who are living remotely and, let them know that they're not forgotten," he told Reuters. REUTERS/Loren Elliott SEARCH "ELLIOTT FLYING PASTOR" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES 

Pastor David Shrimpton, 57, known as the "flying padre" plans a flight on a map in preparation for air travel to visit remote communities around western New South Wales, from the airport in Broken Hill, Australia, December 14, 2021. Since 2003 Shrimpton has been flying to some of Australia's most isolated communities to talk and listen to a scattered flock. That largely stopped last year when Australia introduced some of the world's strictest COVID-19 restrictions. Now, Shrimpton is taking to the skies again. "It will be great to go out again and reconnect with these folk, reconnect with the kids and be part of their school life once again, reconnect with the adults who are living remotely and, let them know that they're not forgotten," he told Reuters. REUTERS/Loren Elliott SEARCH "ELLIOTT FLYING PASTOR" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES 

Pastor David Shrimpton, 57, known as the "flying padre" refills the Uniting Church's Flying Patrol airplane while preparing for air travel to visit remote communities around western New South Wales, at the airport in Broken Hill, Australia, December 14, 2021. REUTERS/Loren Elliott SEARCH "ELLIOTT FLYING PASTOR" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES 

Pastor David Shrimpton, 57, known as the "flying padre" takes off from a remote airstrip for a flight over the Darling River with a local resident in Pooncarie, Australia, December 16, 2021. Since 2003 Shrimpton has been flying to some of Australia's most isolated communities to talk and listen to a scattered flock. That largely stopped last year when Australia introduced some of the world's strictest COVID-19 restrictions. Now, Shrimpton is taking to the skies again. "It will be great to go out again and reconnect with these folk, reconnect with the kids and be part of their school life once again, reconnect with the adults who are living remotely and, let them know that they're not forgotten," he told Reuters. REUTERS/Loren Elliott SEARCH "ELLIOTT FLYING PASTOR" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES 

Pastor David Shrimpton, 57, known as the "flying padre" attends a Christmas party at rural sheep ranch, Netley Station, near Broken Hill, Australia, December 11, 2021. Since 2003 Shrimpton has been flying to some of Australia's most isolated communities to talk and listen to a scattered flock. That largely stopped last year when Australia introduced some of the world's strictest COVID-19 restrictions. Now, Shrimpton is taking to the skies again. "It will be great to go out again and reconnect with these folk, reconnect with the kids and be part of their school life once again, reconnect with the adults who are living remotely and, let them know that they're not forgotten," he told Reuters. REUTERS/Loren Elliott SEARCH "ELLIOTT FLYING PASTOR" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES 

Pastor David Shrimpton, 57, known as the "flying padre" closes the doors of the Uniting Church's Flying Patrol hangar at the small airport in Broken Hill, Australia, December 14, 2021. Since 2003 Shrimpton has been flying to some of Australia's most isolated communities to talk and listen to a scattered flock. That largely stopped last year when Australia introduced some of the world's strictest COVID-19 restrictions. Now, Shrimpton is taking to the skies again. "It will be great to go out again and reconnect with these folk, reconnect with the kids and be part of their school life once again, reconnect with the adults who are living remotely and, let them know that they're not forgotten," he told Reuters. REUTERS/Loren Elliott SEARCH "ELLIOTT FLYING PASTOR" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES. TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY 

Pastor David Shrimpton, 57, known as the "flying padre" washes the windows of the Uniting Church's Flying Patrol airplane in preparation for air travel to visit remote communities around western New South Wales, at the airport in Broken Hill, Australia, December 14, 2021. Since 2003 Shrimpton has been flying to some of Australia's most isolated communities to talk and listen to a scattered flock. That largely stopped last year when Australia introduced some of the world's strictest COVID-19 restrictions. Now, Shrimpton is taking to the skies again. "It will be great to go out again and reconnect with these folk, reconnect with the kids and be part of their school life once again, reconnect with the adults who are living remotely and, let them know that they're not forgotten," he told Reuters. REUTERS/Loren Elliott SEARCH "ELLIOTT FLYING PASTOR" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES 

Claire Butler (left) and Sara Carey (right) walk together during a Christmas party at rural sheep ranch, Netley Station, near Broken Hill, Australia, December 11, 2021. REUTERS/Loren Elliott SEARCH "ELLIOTT FLYING PASTOR" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES