Free resources about the Australia Sydney South Mission:
- Mission address and phone number
- Mission map
- Missionary blogs
- Facebook groups
- LDS Mission t-shirts and gifts
- List of past mission presidents
- Cultural articles written by returned missionaries
- Survey with RMs
*Other Mission Pages: Australia LDS Missions.
Sydney South Mission Address
Here’s a recent address for the Australia Sydney South Mission. We try to keep this information up to date, but it’s a good idea to check the address with several sources, including your mission packet or the mission office.
Australia Sydney South Mission
PO Box 456
Mortdale NSW 2223
Australia
Phone Number: 61-2-8567-1200
Mission President: President Darrell K. Back
Australia Sydney South Mission Map
Here’s a link to the mission map for the Sydney South Mission (LDS). To access the official, up-to-date LDS.org map for the mission
Sydney South Missionary Blogs
Here’s a list of LDS missionary blogs for the Sydney South Mission. This blog list includes the missionary’s name, URL and when their blog was updated.
Sydney South Mission Groups
Here are Sydney South Mission Groups- for LDS missionary moms, returned missionaries, mission presidents and other alumni of the mission.
- Australia Sydney South Mission Group (563 members)
- Australia Sydney South Mission (Lee/Hansen) Group (183 members)
- Australia Sydney South Mission Group (110 members)
- Australia Sydney South Mission 1991-1994 Group (65 members)
Sydney South Mission T-Shirts
Here are T-shirts for the Australia Sydney South Mission!
Shirt designs include Australia Sydney South Mission logo/emblem shirts and Called to Serve shirts. The shirts make great gifts for pre-missionaries, returned missionaries and missionaries currently serving. LDS Mission shirts come in all sizes: Small, Medium, Large, Extra Large, up to 4XL. The mission designs are printed on white shirts and are shipped to you.
*Simply click on a shirt design to view the details and submit an order. The designs on mission t-shirts may also be printed on other LDS mission gifts, including: Australia Sydney South missionary aprons, Christmas stockings, ties, pillow cases, teddy bears and Christmas ornaments.
*Click here to browse Sydney South Mission gifts
Sydney South Mission Presidents
Here’s a list of current and past Mission Presidents of the Sydney South LDS Mission.
- 2014-2017, Darrell Kenneth Back
- 2011-2014, Larry J. Lew
Australia LDS Statistics (2015)
- Church Membership: 143,891
- Missions: 6
- Temples: 5
- Congregations: 303
- Family History Centers: 145
Helpful Articles about Australia
Sydney South Missionary Survey
Here are survey responses from Australia Sydney South RMs, to give you a snapshot into what it’s like to live in the mission.
When did you serve?
- July 2013-July 2015 (Garrett)
- May 2008-May 2010 (Kyle)
- 1997-1999 (Chris)
- 1997-1999 (Joshua)
Which areas did you serve in?
What were some favorite foods?
- Steak, vegimite, KFC, pig, chop suey, kangaroo. (Garrett)
- Fish n’ Chips… (Kiwi Style). Milo. Cadbury Chocolate. Tim Tams. Twisties. Pumpkin Soup. Oporto’s Bondi Burger. Meat Pies. Lamingtons. (Kyle)
- Minced meat pies, pumpkin soup with a sour cream, Cadbury’s chocolate, mangos, Calimari, Prawns. (Chris)
- Cheesey baked beans with corn chips. Bbq chicken and chips. (Joshua)
What was a funny experience?
- One time a guy kept adding the word “but” on the end of everything he said, so I pretended like he was calling me a “but” when he said how are you going, but? And then I said “hey, how come you keep calling me a but??” It was funny cause we laughed after. (Garrett)
- I was always laughing. Aussies love an excuse to poke fun and you need to be able to take it. In one of my first areas, I was known for not being a very big eater. My companion and I went to the Bishop’s house and he had dinner ready for us. He had big plates served up for both him and my companion. He then gave me a little kiddie bowl as he asked, “You think you can handle that?” (Kyle)
- We caught a huntsman (a large spider) in our flat. After it had died, we took photos with it. My companion was petrified of spiders and refused to touch the shadow of the dead spider through the plastic box. (Joshua)
What was a crazy/dangerous experience?
- One time we were driving really early in the morning and we almost hit a wombat! We had to slam on the brakes so we didn’t hit it. If we did, it would have wrecked our car. (Garrett)
- In Canberra, my companion and I came up on a mob of Kangaroos. We decided to sneak up on them to get some good pictures. Something spooked them from the opposite side and the whole mob, including the big boomer, started charging right towards us. We freaked, but luckily they stopped right before us and turned and went the other way. (Kyle)
- Taking pictures on the rocks with your back to the ocean. Being a Utah boy with no ocean experience (along with the rest), we wanted a scenic vista shot with the waves crashing behind us. We thought we were far enough away not to get wet but one wave got pretty close. Picture turned out great. Later that week, we shared our pictures with a new convert family and was chastised! They said “don’t you know the rules??” We were perplexed because usually new members are not aware of the missionary rules. We told them that yes but we were not swimming and had got permission from the Mission President to have a zone preparation day on the rocks. They replied “no” you NEVER turn your back to the ocean! Later that month missionaries in another mission off the coast of Spain were doing the exact same activity, however theirs turned tragic and the waves swept one elder out to sea while a companion went after him. Both drowned. (Chris)
- On my second day in the field, I was on the outskirts of Wollongong (about 1/2 hour bike ride from the flat). We were talking by the side of the road to an investigator. A car drove past and yelled some abuse at us. A few minutes later the same car drove past and threw manure out of the car at us, which hit me directly in the chest. We continued to talk to our contact booked an appointment for the following day and headed home. (Joshua)
What was a spiritual experience?
- One time my companion and I had prepared to teach a family the Restoration. As we began to teach, I started teaching about fasting instead. It was so cool have the spirit change what I was saying, because fasting was what they needed to hear. They committed themselves to go for 24 hours without food and water. It was amazing! (Garrett)
- I started and ended my mission in the same area. My first Sunday in that ward, there were only about 40 people. I was asked to bear my testimony and while doing so, I had an overwhelming feeling that this ward was going to catch the missionary spirit. My first Sunday back, about 20 months later, the overflow was opened and I watched a friend sustained as a Sunday School teacher after years of not coming to church. I was overwhelmed by how love surrounded that ward. (Kyle)
- Many but one was during the holidays . We set a goal to say Merry Christmas to every person. Each day we would have this one man that would call us names and was very rude. But we would always be nice and reply Merry Christmas with sincerity. This went on for a couple weeks and we continued to be sincere and wish everyone a Merry Christmas. After Christmas was over, we were in the shops getting some essentials when all of a sudden this same man that would say negative things approached us. I was a bit scared and feared he would yell out another rant. Instead his face was much calmer and demeanor opposite of what we would expect. This time he apologized and asked us to forgive him. He then said thank you for the positive message and wished us a Happy New Year and went on way. We were both touched and felt the spirit of Christmas and Christ touch us all. (Chris)
- In my second area, we were setting our monthly goals for baptisms. We were teaching a family of four already and thought that would be enough, but when we prayed about it we both clearly got the impression that the goal should be five. All month we continued to teach the family. We also tracted and followed up any possible leads. During the first 3 weeks, we only taught one other lesson and we were starting to feel very low. With 3 days left in the month, we were at the chapel for a meeting when someone walked in looking for the missionaries. He wanted to be baptised that weekend. On talking to him further, he had already had the discussions twice in a different area and had been attending church for almost a year. He had finally decided he was ready. My companion and I felt blessed. We had continued to work hard, even when it looked like we could not achieve our goal, and the lord made up the difference for us. (Joshua)
What are some interesting facts about the Sydney South Mission?
- An interesting thing about my mission is it’s always hot. In the winter it gets cold but it is usually hot for longer. There are lots of Islander people who live in Australia. They are really nice and will always give you food! There are 7 out of 10 of the world’s deadliest snakes. Also, they have a spider there call this funnel web spider that can bite through leather. Australia is very big and most of it is not populated. There’s about 22 million people in Australia, which is about the same as how many people are in California. (Garrett)
- There are 4 major areas of the mission: 1- The City: Chances are you won’t have a car, and you’ll be listening to 10 different languages a day. 2- The Suburbs: Get your fat pants out. You will reach places with eating that you never thought possible…every night. A lot of islander people live out here. 3- South Coast: Will make you instantly fall in love with Australia. Small beach towns, small branches, but BIG hearts. Most beautiful part of the mission. 4- Canberra: The area is what you make of it. Missionaries that work hard, love it! It can be hard to find people that are open, but when you do it’s rewarding. (Kyle)
- Cars…left side of the road, trees plants and birds nothing like Utah. At the time, it was the smallest mission in Australia yet we had the most population in the country. Sydney is very multicultural so don’t expect too many true blue Auzzies. (Chris)
- At the time, it had the smallest land size among the Australian missions, but the largest population. (Joshua)
What was the weather like?
- The weather in Australia is very hot in the summer time. I remember walking down the street one day and just having this constant hot wind blow in my face and cover me in sweat. It was probably one of the hardest times I have ever had in my life. Getting in the car was no fun because it was hotter than an oven. Australia’s winters aren’t very cold, but when it is windy it cuts through your coat and makes you shiver. (Garrett)
- The weather is beautiful…until it rains. It comes from all directions and even the best rain jacket won’t keep you dry. It can get colder in Canberra. The beach towns stay fairly warm, but it does get cold in the evenings. (Kyle)
- Weather is warm and I learned what a humid day in Sydney does to you. Flies are annoying and after a while you learn the Aussie salute. (Chris)
- It doesn’t get cold. It ranges from warm to hot and from very dry (bush fire weather) to flooding. There are some beautiful lightning storms, especially down the coast. (Joshua)
Any things you really like about the area/people?
- What I love about the people in Australia is that they are pretty content with what they have. Islander people who live in Australia were my favorite because they were so nice and so giving to us. One of the places in Australia was so beautiful. It was called the South Coast and it was indescribably beautiful. (Garrett)
- Australians are some of the nicest people you will ever meet. They love life and only do things that make them happy. Their laid back lifestyle is contagious. (Kyle)
- The people were very friendly, as long as you show them respect. You especially like talking with the large Muslim populations in some areas. It really showed me a different side to their culture from what is portrayed in the media. (Joshua)
Any packing/clothing advice?
- What I would pack is only a few long sleeve shirts and lots of short sleeve shirts. Make sure you get pants with a type of texture that allows ventilation. Make sure you do bring a coat, because it will get cold in the winter time. Bring shoes that will last you two years, because everything is expensive in Australia. (Garrett)
- You won’t need a coat. It is better to have a couple of sweaters and a nice jacket. – Don’t pack clothing for two years. Chances are that you will put on some weight and will need to increase sizes. You will probably wear short sleeved dress shirts more than long sleeves. (Kyle)
- Call or email mission ahead. Typically heavy or thick coats are not needed unless you are serving south during the winter. Most buy jackets or coats in Australia if needed and that fit in with the style so they don’t look to foreign. (Chris)
- Short sleeve shirts and a very good rain jacket. (Joshua)
What blessings did you receive from serving a mission?
- The blessings I received from serving a mission are endless. To name a few I would have to say I am more intelligent with the decision making process. Whenever I come up to a situation where there is a good and a better choice, I am better able to identify the two and choose the latter. Other things were that my family was protected and looked after. I had companions change me into what the Lord wanted me to be. (Garrett)
- Many. Mission played an important role and is one of my cornerstone experiences of my life. (Chris)
- It was while on my mission that I solidified my testimony. Before then, I had a testimony, but it was not something I was really conscious of. The experiences on my mission made me conscious of my testimony, and it has been a strength ever since. (Joshua)
What are some skills you gained?
- Some skills I gained on my mission were definitely talking to people and getting to know people in an easy, relaxed way. I am now able to talk with an Australian accent, which is fun. I am better able to organize my day-to-day activities and I’m able to come closer to God and Jesus Christ. (Garrett)
- Confidence, confidence, confidence. (Kyle)
- Driving in the left lane. But also learned to talk and communicate with people especially ones you don’t know . How to structure life and its daily activities. (Chris)
- I spent a year working in the office and learned a lot about dealing with finances. (Joshua)
What do you wish you knew/did at the beginning of your mission?
- I wish I knew at the beginning of my mission what the doctrine of Christ was. I wish I could go back to the MTC and really understand my purpose. (Garrett)
- I wish I would have been more adamant about keeping a journal during my mission. I really struggled to find something significant to write every day. So I stopped writing. It’s best to get into the practice, even if all you write is a short testimony, or something interesting about somebody you meet. I really regret that I stopped keeping a journal. (Kyle)
- I wish I were more tolerant with my trainer. We had different ideas about things, and I needed to see that he was doing his best, and was a very hard worker. (Joshua)
Any advice/testimony for pre-missionaries going to Sydney South?
- The advice I would give to missionaries going to my mission would be work hard, be obedient, and involve the Lord in everything. Make sure you understand the missionary purpose and always use Preach My Gospel and The Book of Mormon. (Garrett)
- Learn to laugh at yourself. If you can’t take a joke and laugh with others, you will have a hard time relating with others. Love everyone, and they will love you back. Serve others in any way possible. (Kyle)
- Love the people, both those you teach and those you serve with. Don’t count baptisms. Take email addresses of people you teach, and stay in touch. Keep the mission rules always. You may not get caught, but you will miss out on the blessings you may have had. (Joshua)
What was a funny language mistake?
- My companion (Mandarin-speaking) was a brand new missionary in the field. While we were walking down the street, we walked by somebody and he said ‘Hello’ to them in Chinese. The girl, looking disgusted said, “uhhh… I’m Korean” and kept walking. Because Sydney is so multi-cultural, you cannot assume things about their race/language. I often saw mistakes when it came to assuming things about other people’s backgrounds. (Kyle)