From the beginning of 1948, three more circuit overseers went into the Australian field. These brothers, John Cutforth, Donald MacLean and Robert Smart, had arrived from Canada following training at Gilead School.

Before the three brothers left Brooklyn Bethel for their voyage to Australia by ship, Brother Knorr called them into his office and explained the special reason for their being sent to Australia. Their aim was to work hard to counter the depressed spirit many brothers felt because of the events of the World War II years and the mistakes that had been made. By encouraging and building up the brothers, accompanied by a strong lead in the house-to-house ministry, much good could be achieved. Undoubtedly the faithful service and example of brothers such as these contributed in no small measure to fine spiritual progress in the following years.

Toward the end of 1948 Benjamin Mason was called to Bethel from the district work, and Brother Cutforth was appointed to care for the work of district overseer. At this time there was just one district for the whole country, consisting of 14 circuits. So the overseer had to cover many thousands of miles as he served circuit assemblies twice each year. For nine years Brother Cutforth continued in this service, becoming known and loved throughout this vast land. Still remembered are his vivid word pictures and illustrations, as well as his kind approachability and willingness to take time to listen to problems of brothers and sisters of all age groups, no matter how pressing his schedule. In 1957 Brother Cutforth left Australia to work in Papua New Guinea, where he still serves despite advancing years and poor health.

Brother Cutforth told about one circuit assembly he served in western Queensland: “A few hundred brothers from Queensland journeyed hundreds of miles westward to Goondiwindi for our first circuit assembly there. Since no hall was available, a very large tent was brought out from Brisbane and erected on a vacant lot. Earlier in the week heavy rains had been falling. On Saturday, torrents of rain fell, and our circuit activity meeting was almost a ‘washout.’ Sunday the rains eased off and the sun shone for the public talk, but the townspeople knew that the effects of these heavy rains were not over. The nearby river would become higher and higher as floodwaters would reach the town in some hours. Sure enough, floodwaters started lapping into our tent. Soon they were swirling around and we were walking knee-deep in water, with slime, snakes and debris all around. The waters ran through the stores in the town, in the front doors and out the back. Our cafeteria was under water. What a job the cafeteria servant had as he fed a few hundred of us until the following Wednesday, when the waters had abated sufficiently to allow all safely to return to their homes!”