At 14, O'Reilly started training as carpenter and at 16 travelled to England as companion and carer to a man with a disability [REF].
O'Reilly played a key role in planning for the formation of the Uniting Church in Australia as Planning Officer for Union of Congregational, Methodist and Presbyterian Churches (1974-1977), then became the first General Secretary of the Uniting Church in Australia (1977-1979) and second President of the Assembly (1979-1982) [REF].