The Gippsland Anglican June 2012

Volume 109, Number 5 June 2012 Published in Gippsland Diocese since 1904

The Gippsland Anglican is your award winning newspaper: Best Regional Publication Silver Award (ARPA) 2011; Item or Feature thatshows the most originality Highly Commended (ARPA) 2011; Best Social Justice Story Highly Commended (ARPA) 2004; Best RegionalPublication (ARPA) 2003; Most Improved Newspaper (ARPA) 2001.

Stop Go fun for pre-school children

page 11

President’s Chargeto Synod

Pages 3 to 8

The Church and theenvironment

page 19

THIS year’s Synod, theannual business meeting ofthe Gippsland AnglicanDiocese, was a low-keygathering of clergy andlaity from across theregion, from May 18 to 20.Hosted at St Anne’s cam-

pus of Gippsland Grammar,in Sale, the hall andgrounds were an idealvenue, providing space forthe meeting, for conversa-tion during breaks and forphysical activity (right).In fact, the rough and

tumble of some previousSynod’s was more appar-ent on the grounds outside(far right). See insidepages for reports, photo-graphs and the President’sCharge delivered by BishopJohn McIntyre on Fridayevening, May 18.

Photos: Jeanette Severs

A low-keySynod

Renowned theologian to discuss scriptureCHRISTIAN opinions vary

about how to read scriptureand how to apply it in theface of the issues of the day.Name whatever issue youlike and you will find differ-ing, heartfelt beliefs andattitudes that arise from ourreading of the bible.The Theology Working

Group in Gippsland Dioceseis holding two teachingseminars, on Saturday, July7, at Christ Church Drouinand Sunday, July 8, at StPaul’s Cathedral Sale. Reverend Dr Dorothy Lee,

Dean of Trinity College

Theological School inMelbourne, is a world classand well-known biblicalteacher and writer and willlead the afternoon semi-nars, addressing ‘How do weread scripture today?’.“I will be discussing the

principles of how we inter-pret scripture and the theo-logical basis for interpretingscripture today,” Dr Lee(left) said.“How do we interpret scrip-

ture today? We might havevarious responses to thisquestion,” said Dr DonSaines, Dean of St Paul’s

Cathedral Sale and con-venor of the seminars. “Do we take scripture at

face value, as prescriptiveat every level with only onepossible reading? Or do weneed to know somethingabout its historical andsocial context to make itapplicable today? Does ourreading depend on thesocial perspectives we bringas interpreters? Can wesimply read it as a devotion-al sacred text?“Dorothy is a distinguished

lecturer in biblical studiesand has written several

books, including a prize win-ning book on John’s Gospel.“Dorothy is a vibrant and

interesting teacher of thebible, with vast experienceas a scholar and teacher ofscripture. She unlocks thelife of scripture in a way thatmakes it accessible to ordi-nary Christians. This will bean important day of teach-ing for everyone in our dio-cese who seeks the mind ofChrist,” Dr Saines said.The seminars are from

2pm to 4pm at each venue.Enquiries to the Registryoffice, 03 5144 2044.Photo: Mark Chew

2 Our Diocese - Gippsland’s 36th Synod June 2012

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IndexDiscussing scripture 1

President’s charge 3 to 8

People at Synod 9

Serving children 10

Kidsplus+ stop go 11

Carbon and health 12,13

Family violence 14

Aboriginal ministry 15

Celebrate women 15

Human sexuality 16

Protocol 15 17

Discipleship 18

Diocesan calendar 18

Q & A at Abbey 19

Celebrate Ena 19

Parish pictorial 20

Pictures from Synod

The Church, over the years, has been blessed with the generosity of Anglicans and others in support of its mission. One way you can support this ideal in a relatively easy way, is to make a gift through your will. In the first instance, of course, you will consider carefully the needs of your immediate family and friends before proceeding with a bequest to the church.

We offer a way of helping you to carry out your wishes. Your gift, through your bequest, will be very much appreciated. You may wish to support the Diocese of Gippsland as a whole, or your own parish, or for a particular purpose.

Making your bequest in your Will is a simple procedure, although in preparing or amending your Will you should always consult a solicitor. The Registrar of the Diocese of Gippsland has information to assist you in making a bequest, including the form of words you and your solicitor might want to use.

Telephone Brian Norris on 03 5144 2044, or go to www.gippsanglican.org.au

A LASTING GIFT: A bequest to the Anglican Diocese of Gippsland or your parish

ABOVE: Juliet Bond, Reverend Caroline Nancarrow andSue Fordham.ABOVE right: John and Beth Delzoppo.RIGHT: Margaret Beckett, Joan Hall and David Chambers.BELOW right: Bishop John and Jan McIntyre.BELOW: Kath Grandy, Kate Campbell, Rev. Sue Jacka,Thelma Hicks and Miriam Stackhouse.


June 2012 Our Diocese - Gippsland’s 36th Synod 3


THE most significant issue con-fronting us in the coming yearwithin the life of our diocese is thedevelopment of our new five-yearstrategic plan for 2013-2017. I am aware that parishes across

the diocese have made headway inthe priorities of our current planJesus Christ: Here and Now forGippsland. However, I want tofocus for a moment only on thosedevelopments demonstrating thecommitment of the diocese as awhole to new initiatives in ministryand mission. This is not to diminish the signifi-

cance of initiatives taken by indi-vidual parishes but to reflect onhow well the diocese as a whole,under the leadership and encour-agement of Bishop-in-Council, hasmodelled new initiatives in ministryand mission. If we want parishes tobe bold, the diocese as a wholemust be bold.In relation to the first priority of

The Journey Inward, there hasbeen significant growth in the pro-vision of contexts for people of thediocese to engage in prayer andcontemplation. I note new offeringsmade through the program at TheAbbey of St Barnabas at A’BeckettPark and the growth of cell groupsacross the regions of the dioceseunder the auspices of Anam Cara.In relation to the fourth priority of

The Journey Outward, the focus oncaring for God’s creation, TheAbbey has begun to develop its

ministry through programs de-signed to help people reflect on aChristian response to our steward-ship of God’s creation.On its fifth priority, the focus on

children, young people and theirfamilies has, perhaps, had thebiggest ‘take-up’ by parishes, witha number now employing childrenand family workers. A whole-dioce-san perspective has supportedthese parishes in various ways andmost particularly by the Cathedralparish engaging a youth workerwith a diocesan as well as a parishbrief.Another highlight under this prior-

ity is the growing number of mainlymusic programs now flourishingacross the diocese, sponsoredthrough the Anglicare PartnershipsProgram.Some experiments in new models

of ministry are slowly emerging inthe diocese as we look to findingnew ways of being church. I wouldlike to think the encouragement ofthe Diocesan Strategic Plan to bemore intentional in ministry andmission has created the climate inwhich these experiments havebeen nurtured. The Parish of Bunyip has now

been divided into two EpiscopalDistricts, each with a part-timestipendiary priest exploring withtheir people new ways of beingchurch. At Bunyip, the people areexploring what it means to be aministering community as the

whole people of God. At Nar NarGoon, a church plant is proposed inthe new housing areas east of Pak-enham, a rapidly growing part ofour diocese.Another fresh expression of

church is in the Parish of Pay-nesville, which has been reconsti-tuted by Bishop-in-Council for anexperimental period of three yearsas The Abbey Parish, to developfurther the Abbey vision. Under thisfresh expression of church, the giftof this parish is to offer the dioce-san ministry of The Abbey, along-side and in harmony with itsministry as a local parish. Its priestis now known as the Abbey Priestand lives at the Abbey. For the three year period, Bishop-

in-Council has committed some ofthe funding needed to enable theparish to employ a part-timestipendiary ministry assistant, whowill live in the house at St Peter’sby the Lake in Paynesville itself. While these new developments

under the Diocesan Strategic Planare cause for celebration, it wouldbe true to say there are prioritiesthat could have been better ad-dressed over the years of the plan.In relation to the second priority

of The Journey Inward, plans topromote the development of ourunderstanding of the Bible on adiocesan-wide basis have not cometo full fruition. While I have nodoubt there has been significantgrowth through programs like Edu-

cation for Ministry and the occa-sional diocesan forums, I acknowl-edge there is still a way to go onthis priority.In relation to The Journey Out-

ward, there is more we can do on adiocesan-wide basis to explore arange of ways to develop our ca-pacity to engage in the community,with a view to finding appropriateways of introducing Jesus Christ toothers. I am aware parishes con-tinue to explore this through pro-grams like Alpha and, on adiocesan-wide basis, that Cursilloand Anam Cara are active on thispriority, but it strikes me we couldincrease our efforts to address it

Buy Ben’s medication.

Pay electricity bill.

Buy food for the family.

Choose two__

President’s charge

continued next page



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more intentionally as a whole dio-cese.On the proposed matter of inten-

tionally setting outcomes toachieve for each year of the five-year plan, we have admittedlydropped the ball at a diocesan levelon publishing proposed outcomeseach year. I believe we in the lead-ership of the diocese need better tomodel measurable accountabilityas a critical aspect of good strategicthinking.I have already circulated to the

clergy a reflection to begin the dis-cussion on ideas for the centraltheological focus of the new strate-gic plan. Bishop-in-Council had aplanning day to review progress onthe current plan and to discernwhat we learnt from our experienceof it. We also reflected on and en-dorsed the key theological focus forthe coming strategic plan.My initial theological reflection

was triggered by an insight gainedfrom my recent reading. A theolo-gian was asked: “What should bedone about the problems of theworld?” His answer was at one andthe same time both profound andsimple; he said: “Do as God hasdone, become human”. I think this insight points us quite

neatly and in a profoundly Christianway to both the source of the prob-lems of the world and their resolu-tion. Our problems come becausewe human beings constantly fallshort of the fullness of our human-ity. The resolution of our problemscomes as we human beings are re-stored to the fullness of our hu-manity, which restoration takesplace “in Christ”, to use St Paul’sterminology.I encourage you as synod mem-

bers to lead the way in yourparishes as we work towards thelaunch of the new strategic planfrom July 1, 2013. As part of thatprocess, I will again be producingdiscussion materials for Lent 2013to direct our thinking toward thenew strategic plan during that sig-nificant time of reflection in thechurch year.

Homosexuality andthe churchIN the life of our diocese, we

rather belatedly committed to a lis-tening process to hear the storiesof gay and lesbian people and toreflect on how seriously we takethe commendation of the 1998Lambeth Conference motion 1.10,which asks us to offer hospitality tothese Christian brothers and sis-ters, who the motion reminds usare “full members of the Body ofChrist”. Recent circumstances have now

made this a far more urgent prior-ity than perhaps we had previouslyfailed to recognise.In my president’s address last

year, I indicated my commitment tobe inclusive and welcoming ofsame-sex attracted people in ourdiocese, “confident that God is atwork in and through all those whoare open to the call of God in theirlives and wanting to offer ministryin the life of our churches”. I reiterate that com-

mitment to you now.It comes from a longpersonal journey of lifeexperience; reflectionon Scripture in thecontext of that experi-ence and reflection onthat experience in thelight of Scripture.It is a simple Biblical truth that

has caused me to move to a newplace in my understanding of theplace of same-sex attracted peoplein the life of the church. That truthis revealed in the words of Jesus,who says in the Sermon on theMount, “a bad tree cannot beargood fruit” and “by their fruit you

will know them” (Matthew7.18,20). I have come to know and ac-

knowledge that the fruit of theirworks makes clear that God hasbeen and is at work in and throughgay and lesbian people, who foryears have been a part of ourchurch, in both lay and ordainedministries. You might well ask why it took me

so long to acknowledge this simpletruth. I think it was the correctnessof religious law that blinded me tothis truth, a truth that is knownonly in the experience of grace.In the first place, I needed to be

entirely honest with myself and re-alise God works in and through meonly by grace and not because I actcorrectly according to some estab-lished religious code. This insightonly became apparent when I wasready to recognise my own broken-ness and that it is not only despitethat brokenness, but sometimesbecause of it, that God works inand through me. This brought me to acknowledge

the fruit of my works is the only

true measure of my worthiness forministry in the name of Jesus. Thekey question then becomes: “Domy works reveal a heart trans-formed by the love of God into aloving heart, and a mind renewedin Christ into his mind of humble,self-emptying service?” That is the Biblical measure of

who is worthy to be called by Godto minister in the name of Jesus. As I wrote recently to the clergy, it

is a salutary experience to be re-minded that at one and the sametime no-one is worthy and all areworthy for ministry. Of ourselveswe can claim nothing that wouldcause God to engage us in ministry,yet at the same time, in Christ weare all made worthy. Furthermore, as it was in broken-

ness that the Christ on the crosswrought the salvation of the wholeworld, so it is in our brokennessthat we become the means of heal-ing to others. This is worth con-templating before we too quicklysuggest another be deemed notworthy to minister in Jesus’ name. Only in light of reflection on God’s

Word did I finally come to under-stand. Despite what I or othersmay believe is their worthiness, thefruit of the works of many gay andlesbian people has brought God’sblessing to me and to many otherpeople, both in and beyond thechurch. That is the measure of theirworthiness to minister in the nameof Jesus Christ in the life of thechurch and in the community in thename of the church. That indicatestheir place in the life of God’s peo-

ple.Put simply, I think God has been

saying to me for many years now,‘If it is good enough for me, John,why is it not good enough for you?’This experience took me back to

the Bible and its ethical teaching.Here, again, a very simple solutionwas revealed to me, once I wasprepared to walk this journey ofdiscovery with God. I recently read,though I cannot now rememberwhere, an illustration from churchhistory that makes clear the point Ihave come to understand whenseeking guidance from scripture onthe place of gay and lesbian peoplein the life of the church. It is this. We all acknowledge that the

church can never read the Bible inthe same way once it acknowl-edged that Galileo was right. Theworld is round, not flat, despitewhat those who first penned thewords of the Bible thought and as-sumed. It took the church a longtime to acknowledge this and in thename of orthodoxy, it treatedGalileo rather shabbily along theway. (Editor’s note: The Roman

Catholic Inquisition sentencedGalileo to house detention from1633 until his death in 1642; how-ever, he was able to continue towork and publish his writing and in-ventions.)Here lies an exegetical parallel for

our present purpose. Because ofrecent new understanding, we now

all know same-sex at-tracted people are notheterosexual peoplewho have made a per-verse choice about howthey express their sexu-ality. They simply arewhat they are. We mightlike to argue aboutwhether this is how life

should or should not be, but thatwill not change the way it is. Wehave to respond to what is.The Biblical writers had no con-

cept of the possibility of a faithful,committed relationship of love be-tween people who found them-selves attracted to others of thesame gender. They assumed any-one who engaged in sexual activitywith a person of the same genderwas a heterosexual person actingoutside their God-given nature. Bydefinition, this was for them per-verse activity.Now we know it is simply a reality

of some people’s lives to be same-sex attracted and not a perversechoice made by them, how can thechurch ever read the Bible in thesame way? It has taken the church,and me, a long time to acknowl-edge this. In the name of ortho-doxy, we have treated gay andlesbian people rather shabbilyalong the way.Further to this, I have become

convinced we will never come to aplace of understanding on this mat-ter unless we walk the path to un-derstanding together. For too longwe have asked same-sex attractedpeople to wait outside the churchor, at most, in its wings, while wedecide the basis on which they canbe a part of the church’s life. Thethought seems to have been thatwhen we have decided (and wecertainly do not seem to be in toomuch of a hurry to do this), we willinvite gay and lesbian people intothe church on our terms; that is, if

as it was in brokenness that the Christ onthe cross wrought the salvation of thewhole world, so it is in our brokenness webecome the means of healing to others

President’s charge continued ...

The Biblical writers had no conceptof the possibility of a faithful, com-mitted relationship of love betweenpeople ... of the same gender.

The Anglican Diocese of Gippsland does not tolerate abuse, misconduct and harm in its Christian community.

The Diocese is committed to ensuring all people in contact with the Church can participate in a safe and responsible environment. If you may have been harmed by a church worker, or know someone who has, please come forward. The Director of Professional Standards, Cheryl Russell, is available, and will maintain confidentiality, on telephone 03 5633 1573, on mobile 0407 563313, or email [email protected]

OFFICE OF THE ! Director of Professional Standards

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they still want to be a part of us. Ido not believe this is a particularlygodly way in which to go.In saying what I have said here, I

want to assure you I am not de-manding that you agree with me.One of the beauties of Anglicanismis our capacity to stay together inChrist with strongly held differ-ences. Another is that our idea ofauthority includes the fact you donot have to agree with me just be-cause I am a bishop. We can staytogether in the unity of Christ withour differences and, in grace, wecan continue to learn from eachother.I make this commitment to all of

you, whether or not you agree withme on this one issue. All I do andall I will seek to continue to do, ineverything I do, is to seek the willof God. Accordingly, I will appointto office in our diocese those whomI believe God is calling to ministeramong us and I will continue to doso with a grateful heart to God forthe gifts and skills they bring to us. Furthermore, I will do this within

the context of the greater call ofGod on the whole church, which isto live by grace; to seek justice andto show compassion, in all we doand say. This is my commitment toGod and to you and I am willing tolive with any consequences thatmay arise from remaining true tothat commitment.

Aboriginal ministryANOTHER commitment I made in

coming to this diocese was to en-courage and develop a sustainablelong-term ministry to, with and byAboriginal people in Gippsland. Sig-nificant progress has been made inthis ministry objective, but the keymatter still to be addressed is itslong-term financial sustainability.The Aboriginal Ministry Fund was

established to address this matter,but it has not been particularly suc-cessful in establishing a solid finan-cial base to provide resources forAboriginal ministry in the dioceseon a long-term basis. Funding hasbeen sought on a short-term basisfrom various sources outside thediocese, but the key to sustainabil-ity is a healthy fund maintainedfrom within the diocese. To date, I have appealed in vari-

ous ways to parishes and individu-als to contribute to the financialsupport of Aboriginal ministry, butwith little ongoing response.As I stated last year in The Gipp-

sland Anglican, I believe it is a mat-ter of justice that one of the waysby which we redress the wrongsdone to the people of the first na-tions of this land is to use thewealth we have gained from theirland to ensure their future in it. Ido not see this to be a voluntaryissue for Christians but a faith im-perative. I will seek in this coming year to

build up the financial base of theAboriginal Ministry Fund through anongoing appeal to both parishesand individuals to support Aborigi-nal ministry by regular contribu-tions to the fund. But I put thissynod and the whole diocese onnotice that if the measures I amseeking to introduce this year toredress this situation are not suc-

cessful, I will move to ensure anappropriate sum for Aboriginalministry is added as a line item tothe diocesan budget. Furthermore,I will advocate for legislation to en-shrine this measure as a require-ment under an Act of this synod. You will no doubt understand that

one implication of this move will al-most inevitably be a rise in theparish contributions sought fromeach parish, those contributionsbeing a significant source of incomein the diocesan budget. I under-stand this may be seen as heavy-handed and I am all too aware thebishop does not always get what hewants. Furthermore, I recognisethere is a voluntary aspect toparish contributions. Nevertheless,I want to make the point that I amvery serious about ensuring thelong-term financial sustainability ofAboriginal ministry in Gippslandand I will do all in my power to en-sure it happens.

Other ministriesI AM pleased to acknowledge the

vital contribution a number of ourparishes have made in meeting theneeds of Southern Sudanese peo-ple in our diocese. The parishes ofMoe, Morwell, Newborough andSale all have Sudanese people intheir congregations and Traralgonparish has offered significant sup-port and ministry to Sudanese peo-ple living and worshipping in theLatrobe Valley. I acknowledge, par-ticularly, the large commitmentReverend Bruce Charles and Moeparish have made to this ministry,in their support of Rev. AbrahamMaluk in his ministry.With the people of the Republic of

South Sudan, we celebrate the in-auguration of their new nation inthe last year and we assure themof our ongoing prayers and supportas they minister with, among andto their people and to us. We thankGod for their ministry and the min-istry of those who continue to sup-port them.I note the changed nature of our

ongoing relationship with the Dio-cese of Gahini in Rwanda. On hisvisit to us last year, Bishop Alexisand I discussed a new way forward

in our partnership. We committedto sharing in ministry together, notjust to the benefit of each other,but to the benefit of others towhom we minister together. Later this year, a team of people

from Leongatha parish will visitGahini and a team of young peoplefrom Gahini will visit us. There is agrowing relationship between ourschools and Rwanda. Last year, ateam from the two schools [StPaul’s Anglican Grammar and Gipp-sland Grammar] went to Gahini inschoolies week. Students and staffwho went were richly blessed.Thank you to Sarah Gover for herwork in arranging this visit and therepeat visit later this year.On the 50th Anniversary of the

ministry of Anglican Women of Aus-tralia (AWA) Gippsland earlier thisyear, that ministry was completedwithin the life of the diocese. I ac-knowledge the significance of AWAin those fifty years, in encouragingministry, mission and fellowshipamong the women of the diocese.At the final AWA ThanksgivingService, I committed the diocese tofinding ways to continue the focusof the ministry of AWA, despite itno longer continuing as a ministryof the diocese.

Anglican authorityLAST year, synod heard from the

Primate about the place of thecovenant in the life of the AnglicanCommunion and we offered oursupport to the covenant as ameans of maintaining unity in thelife of the communion. However,support for the covenant has cer-tainly not been universal and itwould seem it has a doubtful futureas an instrument of communion.We may never arrive at an agreed

covenant. Nevertheless, I do notbelieve this means the process hascompletely failed. This is because ithas generated a great deal of de-bate about and a better under-standing of the nature of authorityand the basis of unity in the Angli-can Communion.Anglican authority is dispersed

and our teaching is centred onScripture and the historical creeds,with no-one able to claim sole au-

thority on how the Bible and thecreeds must be interpreted. Ourfellowship is maintained by rela-tionship and common commit-ments; it is not imposed by acentralised power. The covenanthas been an attempt to articulateour common commitment. It seems, however, that it has sat-

isfied no-one. In the minds ofsome, it goes too far in the direc-tion of imposing a particular inter-pretation of our commoncommitment; in the minds of oth-ers, it does not do enough to en-able meaningful unity in thecommunion. Our inability to come to a common

mind on the covenant should comeas no surprise. That is a direct re-sult of being Anglican. From the be-ginning of our life together, wehave sought to maintain unity in di-versity and not just any diversity;it is a diversity of those who havealways had strongly held and oftenopposing views on a range of mat-ters, but who have been committedto maintaining unity in Christ. Ipray the legacy of the covenantprocess in the communion will bean ongoing commitment to strug-gle across our differences to staytogether in Christ, as a sign of hopeto a divided world that peace ismade possible alone through faithin Jesus Christ.

In the communityMOVING now to matters in the

wider community, imagine youcould be imprisoned for six monthsif you were found with just one bot-tle of beer. That is just one meas-ure of new legislation beingproposed as part of the so-called‘Stronger Futures’ Bill for remoteAboriginal communities. This dra-conian piece of legislation now be-fore the Senate, even if amendedto deal with those particular meas-ures, will mean the powers held bythe Federal Minister for AboriginalAffairs will be the greatest powersheld by a government figure overAboriginal lives since the days ofthe so-called ‘Protectors’. Those protectors were made infa-

mous by people like Mr McMillan MPhere in Gippsland and by Mr Nevillein Western Australia, whose ap-proach to ‘protection’ was so accu-rately depicted in the filmRabbit-Proof Fence. Former Prime Minister, Malcolm

Fraser, recently asked: “Should wecall Jenny … Protector Macklin? Ithink, perhaps, she fits that role at


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I am very serious about ensuring the long-term financial sustainability of Aboriginalministry in Gippsland and I will do all in mypower to ensure it happens.



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the moment all too well and it’s atragedy.” Many Aboriginal people in remote

communities agree.Make no mistake. This legislation

is largely racist legislation. That iscertainly the opinion of the formerChief Justice of the Family Court,Alistair Nicholson. Even if its pro-ponents say their intent is notracist and they do, it remains racistbecause its detrimental impact isalone on Aboriginal people. Note,also, when passed, this legislationwill be in place for 10 years beyondthe five years of the first interven-tion. Rev. Dr Djiniyini Gondarra, a Yol-

ngu Elder, is calling on black andwhite Australians to oppose thelegislation, which he sees not justas a black struggle, but as a fightfor justice and democracy for allAustralians. As a spokesperson forthe Assembly of the eight YolnguNations, he recently wrote a letterto both the leaders of the Aus-tralian and Northern Territory Gov-ernments, in which he calls on theSenate to discard the Stronger Fu-tures Bill in full. He notes it has nosupport from any Yolngu Elder,whose communities are directly af-fected by the legislation.The past five years of the inter-

vention have shown that, despiteclaims to the contrary by the Fed-eral Government, the situation inthe 73 targeted communities in theNorthern Territory has grownworse. Journalist and human rightsactivist, Jeff McMullen, points to the“overwhelming evidence that fiveyears of intervention have doneterrible social damage”. Over thisperiod, the rising rate of suicide,especially among young Aboriginalgirls, is the most devastating resultof what he calls “this governmentfolly”.The tragedy in this bipartisan po-

litical approach by successive Fed-eral Governments is that no-one islistening to the local elders in thecommunities most affected. Deci-sions are being made for the peo-ple by centralised governmentauthorities, rather than with and bythe people. While significant finan-cial resources are being offered,they are not having the effect they

otherwise could because local eld-ers, who know their situation inti-mately, are not being engaged inthe process of implementing bothpolicy and practice. In fact they arebeing ignored. In criticising the ‘Stronger Fu-

tures’ legislation, the late Dr JimmyLittle said, in one of the last com-ments he made before he died re-cently: “It is time for Australia tolisten to the wisdom of the Aborig-inal elders who have given thecountry the best advice on the wayforward for a brighter future, for itis the leaders who best understandthe needs of their community,know what the solutions must beand have to live with the conse-quences”. Certainly a good way toacknowledge Jimmy Little’s won-derful legacy to our nation wouldbe to listen to his advice on thismatter.I was intrigued recently to read an

article by Tim Colebatch warning usabout the mining-based economicboom. Like the Irish propertyboom, which fell with spectacularspeed and devastating results, hewrote: “Our boom, too, is likely tobust: most booms do. The biggerthe boom, the bigger the bust.”While others point out this boom

is different because of what theyclaim will be the long-term growthof China and India, Colebatch re-mains sceptical and he has goodevidence to back up his scepticism.That evidence notes not just the

reliance on mining as the driver ofthe economic boom, but the evengreater reliance on mining invest-ment. Servicing the mining indus-try is where the money is to bemade and other industries acrossAustralia are shrinking. This leadsto a loss of skills, equipment andmarkets in those other areas. Victoria knows this only too well,

with huge losses of jobs recently inmanufacturing.While China and India grow at the

current rate, there seems to be noproblem with demand for our re-sources. But the problem will in-

evitably arise. The question is,‘when?’. BIS Shrapnel, which con-sistently wins awards as the besteconomic tipster in the business,estimates a 66 per cent probabilitythe boom will end within 10 yearsand a 90 per cent probability it willend within 15 years. Colebatchmaintains that if current trends inAustralian industry continue, theeconomy will be ill-equipped todeal with the bust.Why do I raise these matters? I

am clearly not an economist, andwhen I raise these issues withsome who are economists, I noticethere is complacency about the is-sues Colebatch and others like himare raising. But I raise them be-cause I would like to encourage usto listen to alternative voices inevery area of our lives and I wouldlike those of you better equippedthan me in economic understand-ing to take up these matters. As Christians we need to be con-

cerned for the truth in every aspectof our lives. Furthermore, if thesealternative voices are right, the so-cial implications will be horrendous.People will suffer and it is certainlyour duty as Christians to speak outto avoid human suffering.I note with some measure of re-

lief that the Federal Government inits recent budget has made an at-tempt to redistribute wealth to-wards those most in need in ourcommunities. At the same time, Inote with alarm our commitment toforeign aid has been diminished aspart of the stringency measuresclaimed to be necessary to ensurea budget surplus. How we in such awealthy country can rationalise areduced commitment to those inpoorer parts of the world is beyondmy understanding and I think it is achallenge for the churches to ad-dress.

Debating marriageI TURN, now, to the debate aris-

ing from the call from some in our

community for the Federal Parlia-ment to change the legal definitionof marriage to allow gay and les-bian people to marry.On the whole, the response from

the churches has been an under-standable recourse to the so-called‘traditional’ view of marriage. To behonest, I am not sure how well thisworks, because I am not sure thereis much agreement in the churchesabout the traditional view of mar-riage and I am not sure there is alot of acknowledgement that eventhe Christian view of marriage haschanged over recent years.The Judaeo-Christian view of mar-

riage is in the first place funda-mentally a realist’s view. Ourforebears knew people were goingto have sex, no matter what, andso they knew children were goingto be born, no matter what. UnderGod, therefore, marriage was insti-tuted to give legal protection to thechildren who are inevitably born,legal protection to the good orderof the society in which sexual rela-tionships are inevitable and legalprotection to people in committedlife-long sexual relationships.Properly understood, marriage is

an institution to protect children, toensure the good order of societyand to guarantee the rights of mar-ried people.Secondly, the Judaeo-Christian

view of marriage, based as it is inour Scriptures, has from the begin-ning been in a state of change andflux. Like any other human institu-tion, even those established underGod, marriage is an organic realityand it grows and changes overtime. To name just one obviousfact, it is clear that in the earlydays of the institution of marriagein Hebrew life, marriage was notmonogamous. The Old Testamentstories of the patriarchs and thekings make that very clear.More recent changes are reflected

in the various introductions to themarriage service in our own prayerbooks, from the 1662 Book ofCommon Prayer through to thecurrent A Prayer Book for Australia.The three reasons for marriage setout above remain but, with succes-sive changes to our liturgies formarriage, their order has beenchanged.These changes reflect societal

changes in priorities and percep-tions about marriage, both in thechurch and in the wider commu-nity. The primary emphasis in ourmost recent marriage service is onthe rights of the couple. This, nodoubt, reflects the growing individ-ualism of our society.Furthermore, in recent times we

have become entirely more tolerantof the re-marriage of divorced per-sons and rarely, if ever, questionthe right of people to marry if theydo not intend to have children,which most certainly was not al-ways the case.However, what is interesting is

that the right of certain classes ofpeople to marry never seems tohave been much under discussionin the church, except in relation toso-called ‘prohibited relationships’,such as brothers and sisters, or inrelation to a person’s age. Certainlyit was assumed it would always bea man and a woman who married,but was that not simply becausethat is how children are born? Orwas it, perhaps, because up until

As Christians, we need to be concernedfor the truth in every aspect of our lives.


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recently there was no perceptionthat people could be anything otherthan heterosexual?It is interesting to note, however,

that on grounds other than theirview of marriage, the early Chris-tians did assume the rights of allpeople to marry. For example, con-trary to Roman law, Christians al-lowed people from different socialclasses in the Roman Empire to bemarried. This was not because oftheir view of marriage but becausethey believed that across all socialdifferences, “All are one in ChristJesus”, as St Paul says in his letterto the Galatians (Galatians 3.28).So where does that leave us in an

age where people are known to besame-sex attracted and where wehave the IVF (in vitro fertilisation)program? Is there not an argumentthat all people should have accessto the institution of marriage, pre-cisely in order to guarantee underlaw the ongoing protection of chil-dren, the good order of society andthe rights of those who are in com-mitted life-long relationships? Is itnot, perhaps, unjust to deny therights of any group of people tothat access? Just as importantly, why would we

not want all people to commit tothe responsibilities enshrined inThe Marriage Act? I have to admitthe responsibilities of marriagehave not been a highlight of thepublic debate. However, if one out-come of gay and lesbian peoplebeing able to marry was that, likeany other people in committed sex-ual relationships, they, too, wereheld accountable under law for theprotection of children in their care,for the good ordering of their sex-ual relationships within society andfor the rights of those in committedsexual relationships, would that notbe a good thing?

I acknowledge that in what I havesaid here I have not addressedmuch of the theological debate inregard to marriage and that that isan important task to which wemust continue to commit. But as Isaid in my address to synod lastyear, whatever the churches’ viewson marriage, we cannot expectthose views to prevail in law justbecause that is what we believe.Nor should we try to enforce ourviews on others.I have no doubt we should partic-

ipate in the public debate and weshould do that on the basis of ourfaith and the values that arise fromour faith. I do not believe it is avalue consistent with our faith toseek to impose on others what webelieve, no matter how strongly webelieve it.The way of the Gospel, in the end,

is the way of persuasion by a godlylife and by godly words and ac-tions. A godly life and godly wordsand actions are marked by graceand the truth on any matter willemerge as we live by the samegrace with which we are met byGod in Jesus Christ.

PeopleI TURN, now, to people matters in

our diocese. We welcomed twomembers of the clergy into the dio-cese last year. Graham Knott hasreturned to us, having served be-fore in Croajingolong parish. I amdelighted he and June have comeback to us from England, whereGraham was serving in Watfordparish. He is serving now as therector of Maffra. David Head hascome to us from Hampton parish inMelbourne diocese and is serving inan interim ministry part-time, aspriest-in-charge of Heyfield parish.Heyfield is engaged with otherparishes in the immediate area to

look at developing a ministry teamand David is assisting them in thatprocess while offering ongoing pas-toral ministry to the parish.Barb Logan was installed as a

canon of the Cathedral in the pastyear as well. Congratulations,Barb. We know you will carry outyour duties with aplomb and dedi-cation.Those ordained priest in the past

12 months were Roger Jackman, toongoing honorary assistant min-istry in Croajingolong parish; TomKillingbeck as priest-in-charge in

Bruthen parish, where he had pre-viously been serving as a deacon-in-charge; and Jo White, tocontinue ministry in Traralgonparish as associate priest and atthe Traralgon campus of St Paul’sAnglican Grammar School as chap-lain. I thank God for them all andtheir willingness to serve God andour diocese in this way, as well asfor the gifts and skills in ministrythey bring to us. A number of our clergy have re-

tired since last synod. Dr Bob


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ABOVE: At Gippsland’s 36th Synod, held at Sale, were Sue Lester andReverend Jo White who is in ministry in Traralgon parish as associatepriest and at the Traralgon campus of St Paul’s Anglican Grammar Schoolas chaplain.

Photo: Jeanette Severs



from previous page

Brown, a Uniting Church minister ofthe Word, retired from the Churchilland Boolarra Yinnar Cooperatingparishes. I thank Bob for his gra-cious ministry among us. LloydGeorge retired from honorary min-istry at the Cathedral and is cur-rently serving a locum ministry inSydney diocese at the GoldenGrove House of Healing. He servedfaithfully as a deacon and priest atthe Cathedral since 2006 and formany years prior to that in lay min-istry.Neil Thompson retired in January

from Newborough parish, where hehas served since 2002. Neil was or-dained for Gippsland in 1990 asdeacon and in 1991 as priest andhas served faithfully in a number ofparishes during those years. Ithank him for his committed en-thusiasm in ministry and for hiskeen desire especially to engage inschools and through tennis coach-ing with many children and youngpeople. In this way, he has soughtto bring many who no longer haveany contact with the church to faithin Jesus Christ. Neil will remainamong us as a retired priest and,with Sue, will be living near Foster.Sadly, Ken McDermid was unable

to continue in ministry in Yarramparish due to ill health. The indica-tions are that Ken will not be ableto return to stipendiary ministry. There have also been some resig-

nations from parishes. RowenaHarris, a Uniting Church minister ofthe Word, resigned from Croajingo-long cooperating parish to take upministry with the Uniting ChurchFrontier Services. She will continueto serve in East Gippsland, beingbased at the Orbost UnitingChurch. Stuart Lawson resignedfrom honorary ministry at theCathedral and he and June haveleft the Anglican Church. Our retired clergy continue to

serve us well in locum ministries, inparishes awaiting a new rector andwhen clergy are on leave. I havenoted before our dependence ontheir generosity and graciousnessin serving us in these ministries. Inote, especially, the ministries ofLaurie Baker, Gordon Cooper, TedGibson, Fred Morrey, MarilynObersby, Ken Peters, Elwyn Sparksand Brian and Ann Turner, all ofwhom have taken on long termlocum ministries in parishes look-ing for new rectors over the pastyear. This, of course, is not to for-get all those other clergy who holdmy Permission to Officiate, who as-sist our current rectors on a regularbasis.We have also welcomed into the

diocese some new stipendiary layworkers in this last 12 months.They are Von Dubbeld, recently ap-pointed as a stipendiary pastoralassistant in the Abbey Parish ofPaynesville. She and Mick and theirfamily have moved there fromCroajingolong parish. Richard Lan-ham comes to us from Gilgandra inBathurst diocese, to be youth andfamilies worker at the Cathedraland with a diocesan-wide brief tohelp develop youth ministry. I amdelighted Rich and Julie and theboys are now among us. Togetherthey bring to us a wealth of experi-ence in ministry with young peopleand I believe we will benefit greatlyfrom their ministry. Jan and I areparticularly pleased to be re-united

with Rich and Julie and the boys,who were with us at Redfern parishfor some years. Both Von and Richhave joined the diocesan group forthose looking to discern a call to or-dained ministry. Dr Pene Brook resigned from her

position as lay chaplain at Gipps-land Grammar School and is nowthe ecumenical lay chaplain at theChurchill campus of Monash Uni-versity. Pene has recently been ac-cepted as an ordination candidateand is looking to ministry as a dea-con in her role at the university. Itis good to have an Anglican againin that position. I am confidentPene will serve us and the otherchurches very well in that role,which also involves the pastoralcare of those of other faiths.Veronica Bradley resigned as chil-

dren’s and family worker in Leon-gatha parish last year. We wish herwell in her future ministry. I alsoacknowledge the ministry of Chris-tine Morris at the Cathedral. Inwhat is currently an honorary ca-pacity, Christine has offered herselfin ministry in a range of ways overmany years, not least in her min-istry with children and young peo-ple. She has graciously steppedaside from receiving a smallstipend for her work with youngpeople to allow the Cathedralparish to be able to afford its con-tribution to the full-time position inyouth ministry there.While on the note of committed

lay people, I acknowledge the min-istries of Philip Davis and NealeTaylor, who generously offeredtheir gifts and skills in various waysto the life of our diocese. Philip re-signed recently from Bishop-in-Council and the FinanceCommittee. Neale resigned fromBishop-in-Council and the AgedCare Board and has moved to theUnited States for business reasons.I thank them both for their com-mitment to the diocese and theirwork for us.Others recently accepted as ordi-

nation candidates, following a pe-riod of discernment with us, areFran Grimes, looking to honoraryministry in Corner Inlet parish andKatie Peken, currently a stipendiarylay worker in Warragul parish.Please keep them and Pene in yourprayers as they continue the jour-ney towards ordination.I acknowledge the extra workload

Heather Marten took on as Dioce-san Administrator while I was awayfor three months on long serviceleave. It was a huge demand tostep up to the plate while continu-ing in parish ministry. I acknowl-edge also the ministry of LynWilliams in Morwell parish, whotook on extra duties there whileHeather was Administrator.In the past year, a number of peo-

ple in the diocese have receivedhonours of various kinds for theirwork in the community. Geoff Bellfrom Morwell parish was awarded alocal Citizen Award for communityservice through Lions. DuringNAIDOC week, Kathy Dalton re-ceived a leadership award. JackHuxtable from Morwell parish wasawarded the OAM for communityservice and his contribution to foot-ball. Bill Rodda from the Korum-burra parish received an AustralianFire Service Medal in the Queen’sBirthday Honors list. ReubenStevens from Heyfield parish wasawarded Junior Citizen of the Year

for Heyfield. Peter Vranek fromAvon parish was Citizen of the Yearfor Stratford and the WellingtonShire Citizen of the Year.In an oversight that should never

have happened, I failed to note in2008 that Eric Kent was awardedthe OAM for service to the commu-nity of the Gippsland Districtthrough a range of church, histori-cal and sporting groups and to theParliament of Victoria. I apologise,Eric, for that oversight. I shouldhave known better, given that Icontributed to the process with areference.Each year sees the passing of

family and friends from among us.From among the clergy, NevilleChynoweth, a much loved formerbishop of this diocese, died on Au-gust 11, 2011 following a fall. Hehad remained very active in min-istry throughout his retirement inCanberra and Goulburn diocese.High tribute was paid to him at thefuneral for a ministry of great sig-nificance in the life of the AustralianChurch, not least by our own JimConnelly, who also spoke at thememorial service for Neville held inthe Cathedral here in Sale. Mark Boughey, former rector of

Bairnsdale parish, died in January2012 in Adelaide, after a battlewith cancer. Andrew Schreuderdied in April. Originally ordained forGippsland, where he served at theCathedral and as chaplain at StAnne’s Gippsland Grammar School,he was a much loved and faithfulpriest. He died at Eildon, havingsurvived the Black Saturday bush-fires as a resident of Marysville.From among lay people, Colin

Harvey from Yallourn North in New-borough parish died in March 2012.He had been a long term SynodRepresentative for the parish. Mol-lie Maddicks from Trafalgar parishdied on September 17, 2011, aged98. She was for many years churchorganist at Yarragon and Trafalgar,a Sunday school teacher and amember of the Ladies Guild. Gwen Perkins from Trafalgar

parish died on November 27, 2011,aged 93, after a long and very ac-tive involvement in parish life inGarfield, Moe and Yarragon. AtYarragon, Gwen was a warden, aSunday school teacher and a mem-ber of Mothers’ Union, AWA andLadies Guild, where she served in

executive positions as well. BruceShenfield, husband to Jaan Enden,churchwarden in the Bunyip parish,died very suddenly and unexpect-edly on December 27, 2011, hav-ing never regained consciousnessfrom surgery only 12 hours earlier. Margaret Smallbone, wife of the

late Archdeacon Denys Smallboneof this diocese, also died in August2011. English to the hilt, they wereboth real characters and I am toldby Jim Connelly that Margaret wasa considerable woman in her ownright. She was living in Port Albertin retirement and was a member ofYarram parish, where Denys hadserved in ministry.

ConclusionIN conclusion, I return now to

where I began in focusing on thenew strategic plan. Under God, welook forward in faith and hope andlove to a future of fruitful ministryand mission in the life of ourparishes and in the life of the dio-cese as a whole. I am confident be-cause of our past experiencestogether in ministry that God willcontinue to bless us. As we have sought to be faithful

to Jesus Christ in ministry and mis-sion, God has blessed us greatlyand blessed many others throughus. I hear stories on a regular basisof the great things God is doing inand through us. Be encouraged. Serve Jesus Christ

in serving each other and all oth-ers. See the fruit of the Spirit growin our lives and in the lives of thosewhom we serve. Pray. Without God,we have nothing to offer, but withGod, we have everything to give.


ABOVE: At Gippsland’s 36th Synod, held at Sale, were Reverend SueJacka and Katie Peken. Katie has recently been accepted as an ordinationcandidates, following a period of discernment; she is currently a stipen-diary lay worker in Warragul parish.


Right Reverend John McIntyreBishop of Gippsland

President of Gippsland Synod



People at Synod

TOP left: Robert Fulton andMario Saulle.TOP right: Raelene Carroll withBarbara and Reverend BevilLunson.MIDDLE above: Brett Lee, NickSolohub and Patricia Chapman.ABOVE right: Archdeacon PhilipMuston, Rev. Graham Knott andRev. Tom Killingbeck.ABOVE: Graeme Nicholls, BerylBrien and Canon Amy Turner.RIGHT: Viv Braham and Rev.Sue Jacka.




THE GFS Kidsplus+ Net-work in Gippsland report toSynod was presented byLauren Kitwood, currentchairman. Lauren spokepassionately about howGFS has helped her.“GFS has helped me to de-

velop as a person, to learnthe skills of public speaking,what committees do andhow they operate,” shesaid.“I think there’s a lot more

talent out there for us toutilise.“GFS has helped me to be-

come the person I am, in-cluding the confidence tobecome president of GFSKidsplus+ Network Gipps-land.”Lauren then presented the

annual report to Synod,written by her and MaryNicholls, immediate pastchairman, as follows.The GFS Kidsplus+ Net-

work in Gippsland exists toserve individuals andparishes. It has been theonly continuing diocesannetwork offered in Gipps-land for many years andcontinues to minister in thefollowing ways: providingan annual camp for childrenand youth; support parish-based GFS, Kidsplus+ andother affiliated children’sand youth groups, throughleader fellowship, resourc-ing, newsletters and train-ing; sponsoring specialactivity days and picnics fordiocesan participation; linkto wider diocesan, state,national and the world min-istry groups for support,programs, education, train-ing and to keep informed ofcurrent ministry trends.

It has been a more per-sonal conduit of informationregarding changing recom-mendations and require-ments for thoseconsidering leadership; andprovides fellowship, nurtur-ing and forums for discus-sion through the AdultFriends Fellowship.Valued and respected as

the efforts are among thosecurrently involved, we couldbe more effective.Currently, the GFS Kid-

splus+ Network Gippslandhas about 40 people on themailing list of the adult fel-lowship, 20 to 25 activelyinvolved in children’s youthministry through Kidsplus+,GFS and Boys Ministry lead-ership support and, as of2011, nine parishes haveeither registered or affili-ated.Our network, meeting four

times annually, needs widerrepresentation from parishpersonnel if we are to morefully understand the dioce-san needs and make bestprovision for that support.Many good things in chil-dren’s youth ministry hap-pen in parishes. How muchbetter for all of us, if theseideas and resources areshared. During the 2011 to 2012

year, our resources, in par-ticular, the Activity Trailerand games equipment, hasbeen well utilised by theparishes of Traralgon,Trafalgar, Rosedale, Drouin,Moe and Leongatha and themaking music program inMaffra. It was used in Carols by

Candlelight, Australia Day,Battle of Trafalgar, holiday

club programs at Yarragon,Thorpdale, Trafalgar andNewborough; all commu-nity events initiated byGippsland parishes. Parishchildren’s ministry groups,fetes, playgroups andcamps have all benefited.The recent Kidsplus+

camp was a highlight, at-tracting 43 children andnine full time leaders toPhillip Island CYC campsite‘The Island’. Children fromMoe, Traralgon, Bairnsdale,Nyora and Melton attended.A delight this year was tohave many representatives,including one adult helper,from our Sudanese commu-nities of the Latrobe Valley. Many of these were sub-

sidised through a NationalGFS Outreach Project Grantand specialist activities atCamp were funded througha CEBS Melbourne MinistryGrant. Such are some ofthe practical networkingbenefits. The annual diocesan Fam-

ily Picnic Day at CowwarrWeir again provided sum-mer fun for families.The most recent activity

organised by GFS Kid-splus+ Gippsland was atthe Morwell Traffic School,aimed at pre-school andjunior primary school agedchildren (photographsabove right and next page). This activity has the po-

tential of attracting partici-pants from church Sundayschools, playgroups andmainly music groups. Suchevents demonstrate thewider Anglican communionto the community, at thesame time providing valu-able experiences for ourchildren. Of course, all such activi-

ties do rely on enthusiasticinvitation and support fromlocal parishes. The networkcan only offer the potentialsupport for parishes.Six Gippsland representa-

tives of the network werefortunate to attend the Na-tional GFS Conference held

in Western Australia duringJanuary. It was a wonderfulopportunity to glimpse thebroad and diverse nationalministry through GFS andreceive reports of missionprojects throughout theworld. Our representatives were

affirmed and sustained intheir ministry through par-ticipation in workshops andpresentations aimed at de-veloping personal, andteam leadership. Such ex-periences and opportunitiesto broaden our faith per-spectives are valued.Current Gippsland GFS

Chairman, Lauren Kitwoodrepresented Gippsland andAustralian GFS as the na-tional delegate to the WorldCouncil of GFS, held in Ire-land in July, 2011; and sheis currently on the NationalGFS Executive. Her sharedexperiences will enrich ourministry here.

SupportA STRENGTH for our min-

istry has been the activeparticipation and communi-cation with the adult friendsof the Kidsplus+ Network.

Worship, fellowship and so-cial functions provide op-portunity to affirm, nurtureand support those involvedin grassroots outreach min-istry and with the aid ofregular prayer diaries suchmembers are encouragedand thanked for their ongo-ing prayer ministry. The ‘Friends’ group obvi-

ously has a ministry to itsown peer group and hasbeen pleased to welcomenew adult participants toactivities such as theThanksgiving Service andDinner, last year held atMoe, with more than 50people attending; The Cer-emony of Light Service heldat St Aidan’s Newborough;and outings to Stratford,Lillico Glass Studio andBulga National Park. Our Diocesan AWA has

played a most supportiverole in our ministry formany years. Members havereceived, with interest, re-ports of our ministry amongchildren and in the leaderdevelopment programs andhave been extremely gen-erous financially in sponsor-ing our activities.Pleasingly, most of themoney forwarded by AWAwas used to provide leader-ship training for ouryounger leaders aged be-tween 18 and 25 years.Happily we can report thatof those young people,nearly all are still activelyinvolved in children’s oryouth ministry. MU Gippsland has also

been a valued resource forour network, sometimes of-fering personnel to pro-vided hospitality atactivities and indeed assist-ing generously with finan-cial support fordisadvantaged children at-tending camp or for familiesneeding that well deserved‘time out’ at the Abbey andA’Beckett Park. Thankyou,particularly, Jenny Mac-Robb, Jan Misiurka andMarion Jones for your valu-able liaisons. Sarah Gover, in her role as

Anglicare Community De-velopment officer, has also

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from previous page

been a valuable liaison forus as we serve the childrenand families of the diocese. With the retirement of

Reverend Neil Thompsonthis year, it also culminatedhis 20 year ministry withus, through his role asDiocesan GFS Kidsplus+Chaplain. Thankyou, Neil,for your interest and love ofchildren and your sustainedsupport of individuals in ourteam as together we soughtto disciple and nurtureyoung people. The diocesan strategic

plan calls for special atten-tion to be given to thisarea. Children’s Youth andFamily workers are key fa-cilitators. They cannot anddo not work in isolation tothe volunteer teams. Sus-tained ministry demandssupport and well informeddirection. Relational support and fel-

lowship, as our GippslandKidsplus+ network has en-joyed, has come throughthe sustainability test butcould do better if affirmedor supported more activelyby others with a calling andvisions to this ministry. Allare welcome. Please do not hesitate to

share your gifts and visionas we seek to serve theyoung people of our dio-cese.Contributors: Mary Nicholls

and Lauren Kitwood

INCLEMENT weather did notdampen the enthusiasm of theyoung families who participated inthe Kidsplus+ family day at MorwellTraffic School in May. In actual fact,tdonning rainproof jackets was thetrick to maintaining the fine weatherfor the duration of the session. The Traffic School in Morwell is a

wonderful community resource en-joyed by our group, who also de-voured the snacks and sausagesizzle hosted by the Diocesan Kid-splus+ GFS Network. We are not convinced that this age

group, majority under six years,were abiding by the road rules;however, they all showed greatcommunity spirit in their enjoymentof each other’s company and co-op-eration with one another. Showbags, compiled from emer-

gency services groups, were dis-persed at the end of the activity.

Contributor: Mary Nicholls

LEFT: Sometimes one needs help tostay on the road.PREVIOUS page: Role playingamong the children; Emily, Noahand Helen in the foreground andMatilda and Christy in the back-ground.ABOVE right: Parents and childrenwho participated in the TrafficSchool activity recently.

Homework at MoeMOE’s children’s and youth min-

istry continues to play a large partin parish ministry. Our special min-istry to the children of Sudaneserefugees continues to grow. Our weekly boys group BAMM Boys

Anglican Ministry Moe and GFS reg-ularly attracts more than 30 youngpeople. Our Sunday schools operateat both the English and the Dinkaspoken services. Recently, the parish has been par-

ticularly supportive of a newhome-work program, held at a localprimary school for all interested stu-dents of the area. A number of ourparishioners are involved in tutoringand reading help for nearly 30 chil-dren. This is another support ministry for

all children, however is greatly ap-preciated by our children of Su-danese background.

Contributor: Mary Nicholls

ABOVE: Participants in the home-work program held at a local pri-

mary school and including volun-teers from Moe parish as tutors andreading helpers. Included in theparticipants are a number of Moeyouth, including Sudaneseteenagers, from the parish.

Photos: Mary Nicholls

Kidsplus+ stop go traffic school

ABOVE: At the San Remo family service, the children weregiven a talk in church about Phillip meeting the Ethiopianeunuch and being baptised in the stream Then they weretold how in those days writing and drawing was done onscrolls. Denise Garrett, our helper, taught the childrenhow to make scrolls; pictured are Jamie, Zac, Laura, Skyeand Ruby. Photo: Roma Caulfield



IN his maiden speech toSynod, youth representa-tive Jordan Breed, of Traral-gon parish, spoke about theprogress of Synod resolu-tion 137 from last year,being the impact of carbon,carbon dioxide and otheremissions on people andcommunities in Gippsland.“I move that this synod re-

ceives the report of theCommittee appointed bybishop in council to take ac-tion on Synod resolution137/11 (impact of carbon,carbon dioxide and otheremissions),” Jordan said. The seconder was Rev-

erend Sue Jacka. The re-port was distributed aSynod by the committee,chaired by John Mitchell.The committee consulted

to gather data about theimpact of carbon, carbondioxide and other emissionson people and the environ-ment, health impacts andramifications of and needfor further health research.However, the committee

deemed it unnecessary toinvestigate possible green-house, global warming andclimate change effects fromindustry in Gippsland.Quality of air was subjec-

tively assessed against Mel-bourne’s levels. Otherissues were clouded by per-ceived social responsibilityissues, such as fuel reduc-tion burns.The health impacts of

smoking and sedentarylifestyles were highlightedby the report as significantindicators of unhealthy pop-ulations and needed inves-tigation and focus by thediocese.“This committee under-

took extensive consultationwith senior representativesfrom both the EnvironmentProtection Authority andthe Department of Health,”Jordan told Synod. “[Representatives gave]

immense support and infor-mation, forming the bulk ofour required information.

“We also consulted withAurecon, the company con-tracted for air quality mon-itoring in the region. “As a result of our find-

ings, it is good to know oursituation is not as grim aswe may have imagined; infact, in many respects theair quality is better thanMelbourne. “While it is clear there is

an impact of air quality onthe health of our commu-nity, this impact is ex-tremely small incomparison to many othersources of burden of dis-ease. I draw your attentionnow to the table on pagethree of the report to illus-trate this.“What the report did high-

light are some of the realand significant problemsfacing the health of ourcommunity; including thehigher than average rate ofphysical inactivity and theextremely high rate ofsmoking, among many oth-ers. “This process has identi-

fied a key opportunity forthe diocese to mount a col-laberative response by in-volving itself in working toimprove the overall healthof the community which itserves. “As a body of Christian

people, it is our duty towork to reduce the suffer-ing of our people and assuch it is the strong recom-mendation of this commit-tee that the diocese activelyinvestigates ways in whichit can aid in improving theoverall health of the popu-lation,” Jordan concluded.The report, as accepted by

Synod, follows.137/11 Synod Resolution

on the Impact of Carbon,Carbon Dioxide and OtherEmissions: seek advicefrom experts as to what theimpact of carbon, carbondioxide and other emissionis on the people living inGippsland.On Wednesday, April 18,

2012, the available mem-bers of the appointed com-mittee met with ElizabethRadcliffe (Group ManagerField Operations, EPA Victo-ria) to discuss the level ofemissions in the Gippslandregion and with Tim Owen(Manager Public Health, Pri-mary Health and Planning,Gippsland) to review thecurrent evidence for the im-pact these emissions haveon the population. BothElizabeth and Tim are ex-perts currently employed insenior positions within theirrespective fields. The result of this process

provided the committeewith a summary of the cur-rent best available evidenceand additional resources inorder to satisfy the require-ments of this resolution. Additionally, contact was

made with Michael Kitwood,Senior Technical Officer andAir Monitoring Specialist forAurecon, the companyunder contract throughPowerWorks and the EPAfor air quality monitoring inthe Gippsland Region.Michael was able to clarifysome specific questions re-

garding the techniquesused to monitor air qualityin the region.Emissions from industry

within Gippsland, particu-larly the power industry,contribute significantly tothe overall human emis-sions that the growing bodyof evidence deems to be re-sponsible for the green-house effect, globalwarming and climatechange. This is an ex-tremely broad and con-tentious issue and it is thebelief of this committeethat further discussion ofthis topic is not warrantedin order to satisfy this reso-lution. However, there are two

specific types of emissionthat have an important im-pact on the natural environ-ment of Gippsland. The first of these is sul-

phur dioxide (SO2), whichin high levels contributes toacid rain as seen in parts ofEurope where it has effectson agriculture. The majorsource in the Gippsland re-gion is the combustion ofbrown coal for electricitygeneration.

Fortunately, the coal in theregion has low sulphur con-tent and, subsequently, sul-phur dioxide emissions arerelatively low, well belowthe level deemed to be en-vironmentally acceptableby the EPA. The highestrecorded one hour averageis 0.16ppm, only 80 percent of the EPA’s acceptablestandard of 0.20ppm. It is,therefore, reasonable toconclude the impact of sul-phur dioxide emissions inthis region is relativelysmall. The second of the impor-

tant emissions with regardto the environment is visi-bility, measured as local vi-sual distance (LVD). Theeffect of this is predomi-nately aesthetic but it alsoacts as a proxy for particu-late concentrations whichwill be discussed in the fol-lowing section. The EPA State Environ-

ment Protection Policy(SEPP) standard is 20 kilo-metres visibility measuredas a one hour average withthree allowable ex-ceedances per year. Thisgoal is breached consis-tently and is clearly not metas a region. However, it is important to

recognise that this is simi-lar to the visibility in Mel-bourne and other regionsand there are many con-tributing sources in additionto industry. The major contributor is

controlled fuel reductionburns. The priorities of reg-ular fuel reduction burningtake precedence over thismeasure of air quality. Other significant sources

include major dust storms,which were the conse-quence of prolongeddrought and local sourcessuch as trucking and pri-vate motor vehicle use.

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Call for church to reduce suffering

ABOVE: Youth delegates at Synod were Jordan Breed, Lydia Jacka and Stanley Rad-ford.


continued next page



from previous page

Standards for air qualityare outlined by the StateEnvironment ProtectionPolicies (SEPP), supportedby the Environment Protec-tion Act. These standardsare based upon the bestcurrent international scien-tific research and, althoughthey are administered at astate level, they represent anational standard deter-mined by the National Envi-ronmental ProtectionMeasures (NEPM). These standards are cur-

rently under review in lightof changes to the Europeanstandards. This process isextensive and will takesome time to reach a con-clusion that can be trans-lated into policy change.In order to manage the

SEPP standards, the EPA inconjunction with the powerindustry operates severalair monitoring sites aroundGippsland. These sites in-clude at risk sentinel areassuch as Jeeralang, which isin the direct path of LoyYang power station’s smokestacks under prevailingwinds, especially in stableconditions. Currently, these sites

measure sulphur dioxide,nitrogen dioxide, ozone andparticulate matter.Nitrogen dioxide is always

maintained at a level wellbelow both the SEPP stan-dard and the average qual-ity of Melbourne’s air andthus does not contribute topoor air quality in a majorway. Similarly, sulphur dioxide

is mostly maintained at alevel well below the SEPPstandard and these arecomparable to Melbourne’slevels over 24 hour aver-ages. As the power industryis the main source of SO2and Jeeralang is in such avulnerable position, as dis-cussed above, it is not sur-prising that eight breachesof the SEPP standard haveoccurred at this site. These were predominately

in the early 2000s with lev-els up to three times the al-lowable level. It isimportant to note nobreaches have occurred intowns in the region. Ozone is generally consis-

tent across Gippsland withno breaches of the SEPPstandard. Melbourne is themain source and not localindustry.Particulate matter is an

important factor in con-tributing to the air qualityof the region and the healthof the population. This ismeasured as Local VisualDistance (LVD) and PM10.As previously mentioned,SEPP standards for LVD areconsistently breached. Similarly, PM10 standards

are also breached. PM10 isa measure of particulatematter less than 10 micronsin size and this is an impor-tant factor in determiningthe health of a population.The levels of PM10 are onlyslightly higher than Mel-

bourne. Until recently, the EPA and

industry has failed to collectregular data regardingPM2.5, a measure ofsmaller particulate matter;a separate and again im-portant predictor of healthoutcomes. Industry has self-regu-

lated levels through corre-lation data from visibilitywith limited continuousmonitoring. The new site atMorwell now measuresPM2.5 directly and data willbecome available in the en-suing months. It is important to note that

while industry does con-tribute to all particulate lev-els, controlled fuelreduction burns and bush-fires significantly outweighthese as a source.According to the Victorian

Burden of Disease study,the health of the Gippslandregion’s population is verysimilar to that of the stateaverages. No specific peerreviewed research has beenpublished regarding thehealth of the Latrobe Valleypopulation since 1998, butgiven the population simi-larities, conclusions can bemade from state data withnotable exceptions such asincidence of mesotheliomaresulting from industrial as-bestos exposure. Recent EPA research indi-

cates asthma rates in theregion are in concordancewith state averages. Chronic respiratory dis-

eases account for seven percent of the overall burdenof disease in both men andwomen. This is dominatedby chronic obstructive pul-monary disease (COPD)and asthma and these are

not necessarily related toair quality. Of all the risk factors for

overall burden of disease,air pollution ranks ex-tremely low, accounting for0.1 per cent of the burdenof disease, which is lessthan two per cent of whattobacco smoke accounts for(see Figure 1 above). Whilethis is urban data, as previ-ously mentioned, this islikely to correlate well tothis region. In addition to tobacco

smoke, other much moresignificant risk factors arelifestyle related such asphysical inactivity, diet andalcohol and drug intake.The burden of disease thatis attributed to air pollutionincludes lower respiratoryinfections, heart disease,stroke, COPD and lung can-cer.As mentioned many of the

most significant risk factorsfor burden of disease arelifestyle choices; 8.2 percent of the total burden ofdisease in Victoria can beattributed to tobacco. It isimportant to note that 0.2per cent is due to passivesmoking, double that of airpopulation. The Latrobe Valley has the

second highest rate ofsmoking in all regions ofVictoria and thus its impacton disease in this region willbe necessarily higher.Smoking is strongly linkedto socioeconomic statusand education, levels ofwhich are lower in this re-gion in comparison to Mel-bourne. The power industry, along

with other major polluters,is a major source of em-ployment and income in the

region. If employment rateswere to be affected bystronger emission restric-tions placed on industry, itis highly likely that over aperiod of time the health ofthe local population wouldbe more strongly affectedthan by the current rela-tively low levels of air pollu-tion. The future of Gippsland’s

employment opportunitiesis unclear, especially as thecarbon tax approaches.New industry should be en-couraged in the region asthe resulting improvementin overall socioeconomicstatus would have a signifi-cant effect on the popula-tion’s health. All new potential polluters

are subjected to best prac-tice guidelines for low emis-sions and these guidelinesare likely to result in lowemissions.

Conclusions andrecommendationsAFTER careful consultation

it is evident air quality inGippsland is equal to orbetter than that of Mel-bourne in many respects.Particulate matter levelsare undeniably worse in this

region; however these areincreasingly carefully moni-tored and they predomi-nately result from notindustrial sources. It is unlikely that emis-

sions have a significant en-vironmental impact outsidethe realm of the green-house effect, global warm-ing or climate change. The contribution of air pol-

lution to the burden of dis-ease is very low incomparison to othercauses. Subsequently, com-batting these causes ismore likely to result in apositive change to thehealth of the region.It is therefore the recom-

mendation of this commit-tee that the AnglicanDiocese of Gippsland ac-tively investigates ways inwhich it can aid in improv-ing the overall health of thepopulation including:Engaging with relevant

State and Federal Govern-ment Departments (that is,Department of CommunityDevelopment and FaHC-SIA); andInvestigating other means

of local involvement (thatis, promoting Quit pro-grams and promoting andfacilitating healthy eatingand lifestyle programs).

Major health risk factors



Mrs Marion Dewar and MrsBeth Delzoppo OAMbrought a motion to Synodto recognise the efforts ofother organisations to re-duce family violence and itssocial effects.The motion, NM2 read

That this Synod commendsall levels of government(federal, state, local) andAnglicare Victoria for theirstance on family violenceand the implementation ofprograms to reduce familyviolence and urge them tocontinue their public high-lighting of the importanceof this issue.“Following opening com-

ments I will speak aboutthe input of federal, stateand local governmentswhile the seconder willspeak about the work ofAnglicare in the preventionof family violence,” saidMarion Dewar.“I begin by acknowledging

this may be a difficult sub-ject for some people pres-ent.“In moving this motion of

commendation, it was myintention to bring to the no-tice of members of Synodthe deep social problem offamily violence, to draw at-tention to some measuresbeing taken to combat itand to hope community in-terest will be maintained soviolence is no longer toler-ated or perpetuated.“The motion is couched in

positive terms as Christiansshould affirm what is goodin society.“The motion suggests that

members of Australian gov-ernments at all levels andof every political persuasionstand together against fam-ily violence believing, as doChristians, that no personshould suffer violence, par-ticularly from within thefamily.”Mrs Delzoppo, in second-

ing the motion, said familyviolence is recognised as asignificant social problemwithin Australian society.“A majority of those expe-

riencing family violence inAustralia are women be-tween the ages of 15 to 44years in Victoria,” she said.“Nearly two thirds of those

women end up with mentalhealth issues.“Around half of households

in which there is violencecontain children. Childrengrowing up with violenceare at increased risk ofmental health, behaviouraland learning difficulties inthe short term and of de-veloping mental healthproblems in later life,” MrsDelzoppo said.“Residents of Latrobe suf-

fer from family violence attwice the rate of the rest ofVictoria. Anglicare Victoria’sGippsland Legal NeedsAnalysis shows unemploy-ment, family violence andchild protection reports areall significantly higher inGippsland than the rest ofVictoria.”

Both women outlined theextent of services providedin Gippsland but cautionedthe reality of the needs ex-ceeds the programs avail-able. Other speakers atSynod, supporting the mo-tion, also advocated theservices available wereoversubscribed.

At Federal levelTHE Family Law Legisla-

tion Amendment (FamilyViolence and Other Meas-ures) Bill 2011 introducedtwo amendments to theFamily Law Act respondingto the Family Violence Re-port. One sets out a newand significantly broaderdefinition of ‘family vio-lence’ for the Family LawAct. The other provides thatcourts must, in determiningparenting matters, considerevidence provided and find-ings made in relevant fam-ily violence orderproceedings. Mrs Dewar spoke about

two measures to reduce theeffects of family violence.The Proceeds of Crime Act

2002 provides a schemethat allows confiscatedfunds to be given back tothe Australian communityin an endeavour to preventand reduce the harmful ef-fects of crime in Australia.Applications for the 2011

Funding Round for special-ist services to provide crisisaccommodation for womenand children escaping do-mestic violence closed onNovember 25. The Ministerfor Home Affairs and Jus-tice, the Hon. Jason ClareMP, announced 31 success-ful projects under this fund-ing round on March 8,2012. In the last funding round,

20 projects related to fam-ily violence, with four inVictoria, totaling $500,000.These are St Luke’s Angli-care ‘Putting the Pieces To-gether’, in the CentralGoldfields area; The RoyalChildren’s Hospital Founda-tion Limited ‘Mind theBaby’; CASA House (CentreAgainst Sexual Assault),Royal Women’s Hospital‘The 16 Songs for 16 Daysof Activism to End ViolenceAgainst Women’; and Kildo-nan Uniting Care ‘ParentingAfter Violence’.The National Plan to Re-

duce Violence againstWomen and their Children2010 to 2022 brings to-gether the efforts of gov-ernments across the nationto make a real and sus-tained reduction in the lev-els of violence againstwomen. The Australian Govern-

ment has committed morethan $86 million to supportthe implementation of theplan.The Commonwealth Gov-

ernment’s Office for theStatus of Women has infor-mation on women’s issues

and domestic violence.

At State levelTHE Family Violence Pro-

tection Act 2008 makesperpetrators more account-able for their actions andoffers increased protectionfor women and childrenwho are victims of familyviolence.Addressing violence

against women and theirchildren is a key priority inVictoria. During 2011 and2012, it is investing morethan $75 million in a rangeof services and programsspecifically tackling familyviolence and sexual assault,including addressing theunderlying causes of this vi-olence and to stop it fromoccurring.The next stage involves

the development of an Ac-tion Plan, consistent withthe United Nations Declara-tion on the Elimination ofViolence Against Women,that will affirm violenceagainst women constitutesa violation of the funda-mental rights and freedomsof women. Work on the Ac-tion Plan ConsultationFramework began in Janu-ary 2012.In Victoria, the Depart-

ment of Human Servicesand the Department of Jus-tice are the responsible en-tities.The DHS provides support

services for people whohave experienced violenceand offers violence preven-tion programs through thefollowing services: FamilyViolence Prevention andSupport Services; Indige-nous Family Violence Strat-egy; Sexual AssaultSupport Services; Victimsof Crime Services; and theIntegrated Family ViolenceStrategy.Services include individual

counselling, specialisedsupport groups and referralservices. These servicesaim firstly to promote earlyintervention to prevent theoccurrence or escalation offamily violence and, sec-ondly, to prevent future oc-currences of family violenceby offering post crisis sup-port.Further assistance is avail-

able for women seeking in-tervention orders throughcourt support advocacy andreferral. These services alsoprovide support to childrento improve their copingskills, self esteem and fos-ter the development of non-violent problem-solvingstrategies.The Victorian Equal Op-

portunity and HumanRights Commission has in-formation on legal issues,women’s rights and familyviolence.

At local levelTHERE are seven local

government areas withinGippsland diocese: BawBaw, Bass Coast, Cardinia,East Gippsland, LatrobeCity, South Gippsland andWellington.Most local government

bodies rely on other serviceproviders to deal with fam-ily violence issues and di-rect the community tothese aid agencies.DHS Family and Commu-

nity Support in the Gipps-land region has primaryresponsibility for 16 pro-grams including: Best Startincluding Aboriginal BestStart; Family Services, in-cluding Family Support In-novation projects; FamilyViolence Prevention; In-digenous Family ViolenceStrategy; Parenting Serv-ices; Sexual Assault Serv-ices; TelephoneCounselling; and Victims ofCrime.Baw Baw service providers

include outreach and refer-ral for women experiencingviolence and sexual assault.Bass Coast programs offer

counselling and crisis sup-port for people experienc-ing family violence andintegrated social supportand advocacy services.“Bursting the Bubble is a

website for young peoplewho know or think thatmaybe everything at homeisn’t right, providing infor-mation about options andpathways if someone inyour family is hurting orabusing you or anothermember of your family,”said Mrs Dewar. Cardinia offers a preg-

nancy to parenthood proj-ect that aims to engage andsupport the health andwellbeing of pregnantwomen and families withinfants who are ‘at risk’ ofdomestic violence, mentalillness, drug and alcoholabuse.East Gippsland offers legal

counselling information re-ferral and support servicesfor Aboriginal victims andsurvivors of family violenceand sexual assault alongwith refuge and counsellingservices for women andchildren.

Latrobe City has had aCommunity Safety Programsince the 1990s and is re-sponsible for a range of ac-tivities, in partnership withthe community and agen-cies, including violence pre-vention.“Assistance for those in

need is undertaken by localgovernment as it must beby Christians as part of ourresponse to God,” said MrsDewar.“Anglicare Victoria also

runs programs to helpusers of violence under-stand the impact of theiractions and change theirbehavior,” said Mrs Del-zoppo.“Anglicare also offers serv-

ices addressing both maleadult family violence andadolescent family violence.The primary concern ofthese services is the safetyof women and children.“Anglicare recognises vio-

lence can be perpetrated byadults and adolescents.From 1999 to 2004, about13 per cent of family vio-lence incidents recorded byVictoria Police involved achild or step-child commit-ting abusive acts against aparent or step-parent.“In relation to this, Angli-

care’s Meridian service iscommitted to a reconcilia-tory role between youngpeople and their familieswho are experiencing diffi-culty, aiming to strengthenfamily functioning, preventfamily breakdown and pre-vent youth homelessnessand youth suicide,” Mrs Del-zoppo concluded.

ConclusionTHIS motion aims to raise

awareness of family vio-lence issues; affirm re-sponses made by thevarious levels of govern-ment, either directly orthrough nongovernmentservice agencies, such asAnglicare; and appeal forcontinuing emphasis on thegravity of the problem so asto prevent family violence.Synod passed the motion

as it was presented.

Synod supports programs reducing family violence

ABOVE: Marion Dewar (left) and Beth Delzoppo (right) ad-vocate reducing family violence.




THE report on AboriginalMinistry was given to Synodby Reverend Kathy Daltonand Rev. Phyllis Andy(right). What stood outfrom the report was the ex-tent to which the costs ofministry were born byKathy and Phyllis.In his president’s charge

on the Friday evening,Bishop John McIntyre saidhis priority for the followingyear was raising money tosupport Aboriginal ministry.Rev. Kathy and Rev. Phyl-

lis, who were ordainedpriest early last year, eachwork a two day per weekstipendiary appointment.Together they are respon-

sible for ministry to andwith Aboriginal peoplethroughout the Gippslanddiocese. They have devel-oped a significant pastoralministry as part of theirpriestly role within the com-munity, with many in thecommunity seeking theirassistance, wise counsel,prayer and support.Rev. Kathy and Rev. Phyllis

spend much of their timetalking and listening withindividuals and families,being with them in times ofneed or special times, pray-ing with them, bringingwords of scripture to themin their homes and withtheir children.They are called on for any-

thing from travel assistanceand food needs, to assis-tance with family matters,prayer for the house andsurrounds, assistance in ac-cessing government bodiesand dealing with Centrelinkand other government andcommunity instrumentali-ties; and often just to helpsort out problems as theyarise.

Funeral ministryBEING with families in

times of grief and loss is alarge part of their ministry,assisting people with theirpersonal and family griev-ing matters, with funeralpreparation, booking andplanning the service inhonor of the deceased per-son.It is significant that, since

2010, most Aboriginal peo-ple across Gippsland andbeyond now look to Rev.Kathy Dalton and Rev. Phyl-lis Andy to conduct funeralsand memorial services fortheir people. Apart from the ministry of

now Bishop Arthur Malcolmin the 1970s, Aboriginalpeople have primarilylooked to white people toprovide ministry in times ofgrief.

Leading worship ST JOHN’s Church at Lake

Tyers became part of theTrust at its establishment in1971. It remained a conse-crated Anglican church andthe place for worship andfunerals for many familiesat Lake Tyers Trust andthroughout Gippsland.Rev. Phyllis takes a pri-

mary role in leading wor-ship and funeral services atLake Tyers Trust. She is wellsupported by Rev. Kathywho works with her and of-fers leadership at timeswhen she is not available.

Theology studiesREVEREND Kathy and Rev.

Phyllis have now com-menced Certificate III inTheology and Ministry,studying through Wontulp-Bi-Bunya College in Cairns.They meet monthly for tu-torials; usually at St Paul’sCathedral in Sale. Both JoySandefur and GrahamVines are involved in tutor-ing them. Rev. Kathy and Rev. Phyllis

are planning to attend theresidential study programat Wontulp-Bi-Buya in Juneand October this year.Both spoke at Synod

about the study programthey are participating in.

Aboriginal Ministry ActLAST year, Synod voted to

establish an Act governingAboriginal Ministry, titledThe Aboriginal and TorresStrait Islander Peoples Min-istry Act. Archdeacon EdieAshley said it was antici-pated a full complement ofpeople would be appointedto the Ministry Committeeprior to Synod 2012. Shereported that as an indica-tion of the stresses withinthe Aboriginal community,one person who was keento be part of the committee

suffered a stroke, one per-son’s husband become crit-ically ill, another key personwilling to be part of thecommittee died suddenly.“This is not an uncommon

situation for Kathy andPhyllis to be working within.Please pray for them andtheir communities,”Archdeacon Edie Ashleysaid.

Looking forwardREVEREND Phyllis Andy

and Rev. Kathy Dalton willcontinue to offer ministry toand with Aboriginal people.This will include taking fu-nerals and ministry in timesof grief, celebrating bap-tisms, marriages, Eucharistand prayer; and pastoralcare to many people.The diocese seeks to in-

crease the number of Abo-riginal people involved inministry throughout Gipps-land; to grow teams of peo-ple in West, South, Centraland East Gippsland. This isa key point for prayer.They will work with Abo-

riginal community groupsand individuals. At alltimes, they, with the sup-port of the diocese, areopen to explore and initiateeffective and culturally ap-propriate pathways for min-istry, mission and pastoralcare with Aboriginal peopleand communities.Rev. Phyllis and Rev. Kathy

will continue their studiesthrough Wontulp-Bi-Buya.The diocese will work with

Rev. Kathy and Rev. Phyllisto implement the Aboriginaland Torres Strait IslanderPeoples Ministry Act, as per2011 Synod. The diocese will explore

avenues to ensure ministryby and with Aboriginal peo-ple is on a financially sus-tainable basis. The diocese will continue

to find ways to respect Abo-riginal people, their eldersand traditions as an integralpart of the mission of JesusChrist.

Aboriginal ministryneeds your support

Celebrate womenWOMEN’s roles in ministry in the Anglican church and, in

particular, in Gippsland diocese, were highlighted at Synodby a motion presented from the floor on Sunday by MrRobert Fordham and the Dean, Dr Don Saines.Motion NM/8 First Ordination of Women stated, That this

Synod, noting that 2012 marks the 20th anniversary ofthe first ordination of women to the priesthood in the An-glican Church of Australia: (1) gives thanks for the out-standing service of women clergy in the diocese; and (2)commends to parishes the diocesan celebration of thismilestone and this service, to be held at the Cathedral inAdvent this year.Since the motion, Sunday, December 2, has been chosen

for a service at St Paul’s Cathedral in Sale. The celebrationwill begin at 2pm.In speaking to the motion, Mr Robert Fordham said: “We

are well aware of the importance and role of women’sministry in this church; the significant role played by dea-connesses, deacons and priests.“This motion supports the significant role played by

women clergy in this diocese and recognises the impor-tance of holding a significant celebration later this year inthis diocese, to recognise women’s ordination,” he said.“The place of women in our church today is much richer

and more insightful,” said Dr Saines, Dean of the Cathe-dral and seconder for the motion.“I would like to see further changes in our church, in-

cluding using the skills of women to better communicateand minister in our church.”John Delzoppo was one who remembered well the argu-

ments in Synod for and against the ordination of women.“It has been fascinating to see the progress made by

women in the Anglican church. Gippsland played a signif-icant part in the history of the ordination of women,” hesaid.“Gippsland deaconesses were afforded a role in the

House of Clergy and voted with the House of Clergy.“Bishop Sheumack was shattered when many years ago

the House of Laity agreed to and the House of Clergy de-nied women being ordained.“It was a measure of his grace that he was able to hold

his emotions in control and ask everyone for a period ofsilence after that vote,” Mr Delzoppo said.Archdeacon Heather Marten, one of the first women to

be ordained in Victoria, praised Gippsland for its visionand support of Bishop Cranswick who “ordained dea-conesses as deacons even in opposition from the rest ofthe church”.“Ordaining women has been a blessing for the church;

that every woman and man who felt a call to serve in thechurch could be tested for that call,” she said, calling tomind (now) Archdeacon Sally Boothey, Reverend CarolineNancarrow and Deaconess Nancy Drew.Reverend Canon Jeff Richardson recalled studying at Ri-

dley College 30 years ago with women who were studyingfor an unknown future.“When I first moved to Gippsland, it was with trepidation

but I was overwhelmed and continue to be with the sup-port from women deacons and priests living and workinghere,” he said.

ABOVE: Peggie Arthur (Mothers Union member) and KarinMcKenzie (MU Gippsland president) at Synod.




By Jeanette Severs

THREE resolutions ad-dressing human sexualitywere tabled at Gippsland’s36th Synod. Two of thesemotions were on theagenda and one (NM/6)was tabled from the floor.All the motions addressedhuman sexuality and gen-der relationships from theresolutions raised, ad-dressed and passed atLambeth and at GeneralSynod in Australia. However, there were vari-

ations, in that the first tworesolutions, NM/4 and NM/5addressed the resolutionsand the Australian BishopsProtocol in part and calledfor policy to be adopted atSynod in Gippsland. Thethird motion, NM/6, ad-dressed the Australian Bish-ops Protocol 15 in full butdid not call for policy to beadopted.It is obvious that NM/6 is

meant to enable furtherdiscussion and conversationabout this issue, as con-firmed by the seconder, theDean, Reverend Dr DonSaines. He is also responsi-ble for convening a listeningprocess in this diocese.It appears from the argu-

ments raised that the issueof passing policy on thisissue, as overtly sought inNM/4 and NM/5, was ofconcern to some at Synod.The three motions were ad-dressed concurrently andspeakers called on the Sat-urday before Synod brokeup for evening prayer. Onthe Sunday, when discus-sion renewed, Synod wasdepleted by some esti-mated 40 per cent.“As a statement of think-

ing of the Anglican churchat the moment, it is thebest we have and I encour-age you to support the mo-tion,” said Brian Norris,Registrar of Gippsland dio-cese and mover of NM/6.“I think what the bishops

are saying is this is what wethink at the moment. Ithink the matter is a verysensitive one and we needto be understanding, sym-pathetic and sensitive.”“I think this motion brings

the view of the widerchurch into our discussionin this diocese. I think it isan important [discussion]we need to have with eachother,” said the Dean, DrDon Saines.“This motion, over the

others, enables us to con-tinue to have discussion

and read and interpretscripture on this matter.“In terms of social ethics,

we Anglicans have also hadour views tempered by thelove of each other and thelove of God,” he said.Peter Anderson, mover of

NM/5 said in his right ofreply: “I tried in my firstspeech to say to you, myparish council wants thissituation debated and I askyou to vote to enable this tohappen”.Rev. David Head, of Hey-

field parish, spoke againstNM/4 and to some extentNM/5 and NM/6, particu-larly addressing the inter-pretation of homosexualitywithin these motions andopposition to same sexmarriage.“I do not have the choice

and I find the interpretationof homosexuality an offen-sive statement,” he said.“I do not experience my-

self; I am. I do not have ahomosexual orientation, Iam a homosexual.“I find that most people do

not want to listen to me.The word homosexual is notused in scripture; it is aword derived not more than100 years ago,” Rev. Headsaid.“I have been a minister for

30 years and I ask whyanyone could say God hasnot blessed my ministry.”Mrs Val Jones of Lakes En-

trance and Metung parishsaid this was an incrediblydifficult issue for anyone.“The church has always

faced social issues. Do webend to social mores? Idon’t know,” she said.“In my religion, I believe

God did not establish achurch organisation, hecame to establish a King-dom. I speak in favor ofkeeping our hearts and ourminds open.”Rev. Greg Magee, of Bass

Phillip Island parish, re-minded those present thatLambeth 1998 was an in-ternational conference ofbishops that came to un-easy decisions.“I speak against NM/4 and

NM/5,” he said.“Lambeth 1998 was per-

haps the most belligerentand fractious gathering ofbishops. The resolution thatso many people put somuch store by [Lambeth1998 Resolution 1:10] wasa result of that gathering.”Mrs Sue Fordham, of Pay-

nesville parish, spoke aboutthe relevance of scriptureand bible teachings of cen-

turies ago, to today’s soci-ety.“I oppose NM/4 and

NM/5,” she said.“Accepting a statement

that homosexual practiceas incompatible with scrip-ture comes from a peoplecenturies ago, where socio-logical and scientific knowl-edge was far different. Inaccepting one inconsistentinterpretation of scripture,we should accept inconsis-tencies such as slavery,polygamy and concubity;collective punishment andcapital punishment; kid-nap; curse; offering one’svirgin daughters to visitorsas a form of hospitality.“I note that Jesus was

silent on the issue ofsodomites,” she said. “We need God and we

need one another. It wouldbe highly irregular formembers of this Synod tovote on this issue if theyhave broken the literalscripture interpretation ofno divorce.”Rev. Jenny Ramage spoke

with passion and askedwhat gives those presentthe right to point a finger.“We fall back on scripture,

on tradition that is not rele-vant,” she said.“Are we going to continue

to throw rocks at eachother or are we going tolove one another? Are wegoing to care and love oneanother?“I stand before you as a

woman who stands here forthe Grace of God; but theGod who walked beside me,who is loving and warm. InRomans: ‘Why do you de-spise your brother or sis-ter?’ I will not point thefinger at anybody. I needthe Grace of God and Iknow that everyone elsehas too.”Rev. Tom Killingeck, of

Bruthen parish, spoke infavor of being informed andenabled to speak.“In the past few months I

have been involved in a lotof reading and conversa-tions about this subject,” hesaid.“I have not changed my

mind, but I am definitelybetter informed.“However, I believe there

are standards to which weare held and by which welive. I hold the Bible is writ-ten by men, yes, but theywrote with the influence ofGod.“I find myself in a conflict-

ing position when I look atthese motions, because I

think there has to be a timefor debate and reflectionand discussion.”Rev. Janet Wallis, of Leon-

gatha parish, spoke in favorof all three motions.“I stand before you as a

woman who has been bro-ken by the practices of thischurch,” she said.“I have spent my entire

adult life reading and re-flecting on the issue of ho-mosexuality but I stillbelieve it is wrong. I stillwalk alongside homosexualpeople and offer them thelove of God.“I support all three of

these motions. I supportadopting policy and I sup-port further discussion.”“I urge you not to get

upset with one another andwe agree to differ,” saidMalcolm Wilson to Synod.“God stands outside scrip-

ture. We are all broken butJesus was broken for me soI don’t have to remain bro-ken. We need to look toJesus.”“It seems to me all three

motions seek the same twoobjectives,” said Archdea-con Philip Muston, of War-ragul.“But I believe NM/6 is the

one that enables ongoingdiscussion. I would supportNM/6.”Lawrie Argus, of Yarram

parish, remembered themany years of debate inSynod, when scripture wasused as a means of “argu-ing women were unfit to beclergy” and cautioned usingscripture in a similar way.Synod then went into re-

cess and resumed the fol-lowing day.Rev. Tony Wicking, of

Bairnsdale parish, spoke infavor of the motions butsaid he felt fearful aboutthese issues.“I support all the motions.

Yesterday, I heard the painof David Head, the passionof Jenny Ramage and theheartache of Janet Wallis,”he said.“My fear is that we are

here to proclaim the Gospelof God and I would like tohave had more debate onthe scripture. We have heremore of a feel good debate.“I think we need to go

deeper than what we have.Certainly, society doeschange and we must keepin mind the Word of God isrelevant yesterday, todayand tomorrow.“My second fear is the role

fo the bishop [Bishop JohnMcIntyre]. I support his

right to appoint but heseems to have acted unilat-erally without knowing themind of Synod,” Rev. Wick-ing said.“Until we as a Synod, as a

Church, are able to make adecision on this, it disturbsme the bishop will act uni-laterally.“The thing these motions

are saying to the bishop is‘hold off until we havemade a decision’ and toavoid the bishop acting uni-laterally.”[Editor’s note: Rev. Wick-

ing is referring to BishopJohn McIntyre appointing apriest to a parish in Gipps-land earlier this year, apriest who is living in asame sex relationship.]Canon Barb Logan, of

Lakes Entrance parish,spoke of the need to live incommunion with eachother.“When we discuss issues

that have such wide views,I am concerned we will notbe in communion with eachother,” she said.“I remind you NM/4 and

NM/5 seeks us to supportand adopt policy. NM/6 re-minds us the bishops ofAustralia have agreed tonot step outside this agree-ment but to continue dis-cussion without beingadverse to each other.“God is love so the only

words we can speak mustbe love,” she said.In his right of reply, mover

of NM/4, Mr Kim Eason, ofBairnsdale parish, spokeabout the importance ofSynod.“I suspect most members

here believe that Jesus callsus to witness to his teach-ing and one of the mostpowerful tools available tous is our vote in Synod,” hesaid.Synod voted against NM/4

and NM/5 and in favor ofNM/6.NM/6 – Australian Bishops’

Protocol 15: That thisSynod receives Protocol 15of the Australian Bishops’Conference dated 13 March2012 and notes the agree-ment of the bishops in theAustralian Church that theyaccept the weight of 1998Lambeth Resolution 1.10and the 2004 GeneralSynod resolutions 33, 59and 61-64 as expressingthe mind of the AnglicanChurch of Australia on is-sues of human sexuality. The Bishops Protocol 15 is

on the next page of TheGippsland Anglican.

‘Human sexuality’ discussed



THE annual meeting ofAustralian bishops earlierthis year agreed to a set ofprotocols on human sexual-ity, conforming to the 1998Lambeth resolutions. Proto-col 15 is included here, infull, to enable readers ofThe Gippsland Anglican tounderstand its import andintent. It is included aswritten.

Protocol 15 2012 Ministerial appointmentsAS bishops in the Aus-

tralian Church we acceptthe weight of 1998 Lam-beth Resolution 1.10 andthe 2004 General Synodresolutions 33, 59 and 61-64 (attached to this proto-col) as expressing the mindof this Church on issues ofhuman sexuality. We undertake to uphold

the position of our Churchin regard to human sexual-ity as we ordain, license,authorise or appoint to min-istries within our dioceses. We understand that issues

of sexuality are subject toongoing conversation withinour Church and we under-take to support these con-versations, while seeking tomaintain the unity of theSpirit in the bond of peace. Agreed 13 March 2012 Resolution I.10 of the

1998 Lambeth Confer-ence This Conference: a. commends to the

Church the subsection re-port on human sexuality[1]; b. in view of the teaching

of Scripture, upholds faith-fulness in marriage be-tween a man and a womanin lifelong union, and be-lieves that abstinence isright for those who are notcalled to marriage; c. recognises that there

are among us persons whoexperience themselves ashaving a homosexual orien-tation. Many of these aremembers of the Church andare seeking the pastoralcare, moral direction of theChurch, and God’s trans-forming power for the livingof their lives and the order-ing of relationships. Wecommit ourselves to listento the experience of homo-sexual persons and we wishto assure them that theyare loved by God and thatall baptised, believing andfaithful persons, regardlessof sexual orientation, arefull members of the Body ofChrist; d. while rejecting homo-

sexual practice as incom-patible with Scripture, callson all our people to minis-ter pastorally and sensi-tively to all irrespective ofsexual orientation and tocondemn irrational fear ofhomosexuals, violencewithin marriage and anytrivialisation and commer-cialisation of sex; e. cannot advise the legit-

imising or blessing of samesex unions nor ordainingthose involved in same

gender unions; f. requests the Primates

and the ACC to establish ameans of monitoring thework done on the subject ofhuman sexuality in theCommunion and to sharestatements and resourcesamong us; g. notes the significance of

the Kuala Lumpur State-ment on Human Sexualityand the concerns expressedin resolutions IV.26, V.1,V.10, V.23 and V.35 on theauthority of Scripture inmatters of marriage andsexuality and asks the Pri-mates and the ACC to in-clude them in theirmonitoring process. 1. Called to Full Human-

ity - Section 1 Report Subsection 3 - Human

Sexuality Human sexuality is the gift

of a loving God. It is to behonoured and cherished byall people. As a means forthe expression of the deep-est human love and inti-macy, sexuality has greatpower. The Holy Scriptures and

Christian tradition teachthat human sexuality is in-tended by God to find itsrightful and full expressionbetween a man and awoman in the covenant ofmarriage, established byGod in creation, and af-firmed by our Lord JesusChrist. Holy Matrimony is,by intention and divine pur-pose, to be a life-long,monogamous and uncondi-tional commitment betweena woman and a man. TheLambeth Conference 1978and 1998 both affirmed‘marriage to be sacred, in-stituted by God and blessedby our Lord Jesus Christ’. The New Testament and

Christian history identifysingleness and dedicatedcelibacy as Christ-like waysof living. The Church needsto recognise the demandsand pressures upon bothsingle and married people.Human beings define them-selves by relationships withGod and other persons.Churches need to find ef-fective ways of encouragingChrist-like living, as well asproviding opportunities forthe flourishing of friendship,and the building of support-ive community life. We also recognise that

there are among us personswho experience themselvesas having a homosexualorientation. Many of theseare members of the Churchand are seeking the pas-toral care, moral directionof the Church, and God’stransforming power for theliving of their lives and theordering of relationships.We wish to assure themthat they are loved by God,and that all baptised, be-lieving and faithful persons,regardless of sexual orien-tation, are full members ofthe Body of Christ. We callupon the Church and all itsmembers to work to endany discrimination on thebasis of sexual orientation,and to oppose homophobia. Clearly some expressions

of sexuality are inherentlycontrary to the Christianway and are sinful. Suchunacceptable expression ofsexuality include promiscu-ity, prostitution, incest,pornography, paedophilia,predatory sexual behaviour,and sadomasochism (all ofwhich may be heterosexualand homosexual), adultery,violence against wives, andfemale circumcision. Froma Christian perspectivethese forms of sexual ex-pression remain sinful inany context. We are partic-ularly concerned about thepressures on young peopleto engage in sexual activityat an early age, and weurge our Churches to teachthe virtue of abstinence. All human relationships

need the transformingpower of Christ which isavailable to all, and particu-larly when we fall short ofbiblical norms. We must confess that we

are not of one mind abouthomosexuality. Our varietyof understanding encom-passes: those who believe that ho-

mosexuality is a disorder,but that through the graceof Christ people can bechanged, although notwithout pain and struggle. those who believe that re-

lationships between peopleof the same gender shouldnot include genital expres-sion, that this is the clearteaching of the Bible and ofthe Church universal, andthat such activity (if unre-pented of) is a barrier tothe Kingdom of God. those who believe that

committed homosexual re-lationships fall short of thebiblical norm, but are to bepreferred to relationshipsthat are anonymous andtransient. those who believe that the

Church should accept andsupport or bless monoga-mous covenant relation-ships between homosexualpeople and that they maybe ordained. It appears that the opinion

of the majority of bishops isnot prepared to bless samesex unions or to ordain ac-tive homosexuals. Further-more many believe thatthere should be a morato-rium on such practices. We have prayed, studied

and discussed these issues,and we are unable to reacha common mind on thescriptural, theological, his-torical, and scientific ques-tions which are raised.There is much that we donot yet understand. We re-quest the Primates and theAnglican ConsultativeCouncil to establish ameans of monitoring workdone in the Communion onthese issues and to sharestatements and resourcesamong us. The challenge to our

Church is to maintain itsunity while we seek, underthe guidance of the Holy

Spirit, to discern the way ofChrist for the world todaywith respect to human sex-uality. To do so will requiresacrifice, trust and charitytowards one another, re-membering that ultimatelythe identity of each personis defined by Christ. There can be no descrip-

tion of human reality, ingeneral or in particular, out-side the reality of Christ.We must be on guard,therefore, against con-structing any other groundfor our identities than theredeemed humanity givento use in him. Those whounderstand themselves ashomosexuals, no more andno less than those who donot, are liable to false un-derstandings based on per-sonal or family histories,emotional dispositions, so-cial settings and solidaritiesformed by common experi-ences or ambitions. Oursexual affections can nomore define who we arethan our class race or na-tionality. At the deepest on-tological level, therefore,there is no such thing as “a”homosexual or “a” hetro-sexual; therefore there arehuman beings, male andfemale, called to redeemedhumainty in Christ, en-dowed with a complex vari-ety of emotionalpotentialities and threat-ened by a complex varietyof forms of alienation.[12] 12. An examination of the

theological Principles Af-fecting the Homosexual De-bate, St Andrew’s DayStatement 1995. Anglican Church of Aus-

tralia—General SynodResolutions Resolution 33/04 Child

Protection – 1 The General Synod: (a) receives the report of

the Child Protection Com-mittee; (b) adopts as the Church’s

Safe Ministry Policy State-ment: “The Anglican Church of

Australia is committed tothe physical, emotional andspiritual welfare and safetyof all people, particularlywithin its own community.” The Church will: carefully recruit and train

its clergy and church work-ers; adopt and encourage safe

ministry practices by itsclergy and lay church work-ers; respond promptly to each

concern raised about thebehaviour of its clergy andlay church workers; offer pastoral support to

any person who has suf-fered abuse; and provide pastoral support

to and supervision of anyperson known to haveabused a child or anothervulnerable person. (c) adopts the Safe Min-

istry Check in the Report ofthe Child Protection Com-mittee as the national ap-plicant and referee

questionnaires for the se-lection of ordination candi-dates and for the screeningof clergy and church work-ers who have contact withchildren in their ministry; (d) authorises the revision

of the Safe Ministry Checkby the Standing Commit-tee; (e) adopts Faithfulness in

Service in the Report of theChild Protection Committeeas the national code forpersonal behaviour and thepractice of pastoral ministryby clergy and lay churchworkers; and (f) authorises the revision

of Faithfulness in Service bythe Standing Committee. 59/04 Faithfulness in

Service That the General Synod

hereby approves “Faithful-ness in Service” as the codeof conduct for observanceby Bishops. 61/04 Sexuality & Gen-

der Relationships – 1 That this General Synod 1. notes the Lambeth Con-

ference resolution 1.10 of1998 on human sexualityand subsequent develop-ments in various parts ofthe Anglican Communion; 2. welcomes the publica-

tion of the study guide toFaithfulness in Fellowship; 3. urges Dioceses to pro-

mote the use of the studyguide and also commendsto the Dioceses the Doc-trine Commission’s recentlypublished essays Lost inTranslation as they explorethe importance of Scripturein our understanding of thisissue; and 4. requests Dioceses to

commit themselves to lis-ten as the Church developsa Christian response to thecontemporary experience ofhuman sexuality. 62/04 Sexuality and

Gender Relationships – 2 Recognising that this is a

matter of ongoing debateand conversation in thischurch and that we all havean obligation to listen toeach other with respect,this General Synod doesnot condone the liturgicalblessing of same sex rela-tionships. 63/04 Sexuality and

Gender Relationships – 3 Recognising that this is a

matter of ongoing debateand conversation in thischurch and that we all havean obligation to listen toeach other with respect,this General Synod doesnot condone the ordinationof people in open commit-ted same sex relationships. 64/04 Sexuality and

Gender Relationships – 4 This General Synod wel-

comes the initiative of theFederal Parliament in clari-fying that marriage, at lawin this country, is the unionof a man and a woman tothe exclusion of all others,voluntarily entered into forlife. Source:

www.anglican.org.au

Protocol 15 on human sexuality



Diocesan calendar2012

International Year of People of African Descent, National Year ofthe Farmer, National Year of Reading

June2 Lay Reader training, 9.30am to 4pm; Korumburra; contact

Reverend Jenny Ramage, Rev. Tony Wicking and Rev. Bruce Charles; register at Registry, 03 5144 2044

13 Mothers’ Union June Join In; St Mary’s Morwell; 9.30am to 3pm; Karin McKenzie, 03 5662 2148

14 Safe Ministry Training; 7.30pm to 9.30pm; St Paul’s Cathedral, Sale; ‘The Many Faces of Trauma’ with Brian Norris; contact Archdeacon Heather Marten or Registry office to register, 03 5144 2044

15-17 Exploring our church’s heritage, a retreat led by June Treadwell, local historian; Abbey of St Barnabas, A’Beckett Park, Raymond Island

16 Safe Ministry Training; 10am to 12pm; St Peter’s Leongatha; ‘The Many Faces of Trauma’ with Reverend Sue Jacka; contact Archdeacon Heather Marten or register with Registry, 03 5144 2044

28 Intentional Pastoral Practice seminar; 8.45am; Bishopscourt, Sale; contact Archdeacon Heather Marten or Registry office, 03 5144 2044

28–July 1 Women’s 35 and Men’s 34 Cursillos; Blackwood House, Gippsland Grammar school, Sale; contact http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=28438694822

29–30 Growth in Ministry Intensive; 8am and overnight, staying at Bishopscourt, Sale; contact Archdeacon Heather Marten, 03 5144 2044

JulyJune 28–July 1 Women’s 35 and Men’s 34 Cursillos; Blackwood

House, Gippsland Grammar school, Sale; contact http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=28438694822

7 Diocesan teaching day for clergy and lay readers, ‘Interpreting Scripture’, with keynote speaker Reverend Dr Dorothy Lee, Dean of Trinity College Theological School, Melbourne. 2pm to 4pm, Christ Church Drouin. Contact Dean Don Saines, 03 5144 2020

7 Lay Reader training; 9.30am to 4pm; Moe; contact Reverend Jenny Ramage, Rev. Tony Wicking and Rev. Bruce Charles; register at Registry, 03 5144 2044

8 Diocesan teaching day for clergy and lay readers, ‘Interpreting Scripture’, with keynote speaker Reverend Dr Dorothy Lee, Dean of Trinity College Theological School, Melbourne; 2pm to 4pm; St Paul’s Cathedral, Sale; contact Dean Don Saines, 03 5144 2020

8 The Mission to Seafarers Sunday Day Appeal 201224–26 Remembering A’Beckett Park and embracing tomorrow; a

retreat led by Archdeacon Ted Gibson and Annabel Gibson; Abbey of St Barnabas, A’Beckett Park

25 Blessing of Ena Sheumack House; Abbey of St Barnabas at A’Beckett Park, Raymond Island; 12 noon, with lunch to follow. Bookings for lunch, RSVP 03 5144 2044

August3–5 Men’s retreat led by Reverend John Stewart, Robert

Fordham and Rev. Brian Turner; Abbey of St Barnabas, A’Beckett Park

4 Lay Reader Training; Bairnsdale; 9.30am to 4pm; contact Reverend Jenny Ramage, Rev. Tony Wicking and Rev. Bruce Charles; register at Registry, 03 5144 2044

18–19 Fire and Creative Written Expression; workshops led by Archdeacon Philip Muston and Sue Fordham; Abbey of St Barnabas, A’Beckett Park, Raymond Island

21 Mothers’ Union executive meeting; Morwell; 9.30am to 11.30am; contact Karin McKenzie, 03 5662 2148

22 Barry Marshall Memorial Lecture presented by Trinity College, Melbourne; guest speaker Michael Kirby AC CMG; topic Religion and Sexuality: Uncomfortable Bed Fellows; 6.30pm; Melbourne Brain Centre, Royal Parade, Parkville; enquiries 03 9348 7127

31 to Sept. 2 Retreat on the Spirituality of Spring, led by Reverend Anne Turner; Abbey of St Barnabas, A’Beckett Park, Raymond Island

SeptemberAug. 31 to Sept. 2 Retreat on the Spirituality of Spring, led by

Reverend Anne Turner; Abbey of St Barnabas, A’Beckett Park, Raymond Island

9 Back to Church Sunday11 Mothers’ Union Gippsland annual general meeting;

Leongatha; 9.30am14–16 Workshops on Wind and Music, led by Fay Magee and Dean

Dr Don Saines; Abbey of St Barnabas, A’Beckett Park25–28 Mothers’ Union invitation week, A’Beckett Park

Infromation as provided to The Gippsland Anglican for printing.

By Jeanette Severs

SYNOD decided to make overseasand Aboriginal mission aid a prior-ity for Gippsland diocese, passingmotion NM/7: That the GippslandSynod includes budget items com-mitted to both overseas missionand Aboriginal mission in everybudget. The motion was brought by Rev-

erend Dr Graham Toohill and MrsSue Lester.“I was very encouraged by the

President’s charge on Fridayevening, calling us to support Abo-riginal and overseas aid,” said DrToohill.“Regarding Aboriginal ministry, I

think we need to put our pocketwhere our mouth is and provide thefunds necessary to support Kathy[Dalton] and Phyllis [Andy] in theirroles,” he said.“Regarding overseas aid, I encour-

age you also to dig deeper.“Last year, when I brought half this

motion to Synod, it was passed butwhen it got to Bishop in Council, itdecided not to action the directionof Synod.”Mr David Gover, of Maffra parish,

was one of many attendees whospoke in favor of the motion.“I support the motion absolutely

and wholeheartedly,” he said.“Mission to me means action and I

don’t see much action, or passion,in Synod. I think we should askBishop in Council for a businessplan to be developed.”“Having been a campaigner for so-

cial justice, my concern is this couldbe something that makes you feelgood but does not go far enough,”said Reverend Bruce Charles, ofMoe parish.“Vote for it but do not feel good

that it is enough. We need to findbetter ways of doing something

thoroughly than at Synod, which, tome and on its history, is not effec-tive at actioning social justice.”Reverend Greg Magee opposed the

motion, citing concerns that actionwould mean parishes would need togive twice for mission.“It burdens Bishop in Council in a

way it does not operate and it ex-pects parishes to give twice, directlyand indirectly,” he said.Reverend Jenny Ramage said peo-

ple needed to be more diverse intheir support.“We are called to give as we feel

we can,” she said.“I would like us to support Phyllis

and Kathy not just with a few dol-lars each week, but by walking be-side them and by talking with themabout their role.”The Registrar, Brian Norris, re-

minded Synod of the one per centbudgetary item committed to Abo-riginal ministry by Bishop in Coun-cil; and further support from BiCthrough supporting the Sudanesechurch at Moe and overseas aid toGahini diocese in Rwanda.In his right of reply, Dr Toohill

spoke about discipleship.“Jesus said all authority on heaven

and earth has been given to me. Goand make disciples of all nations.Jesus’ love, truth and grace shouldbe experienced by all and we shouldsupport this motion to enable thatto happen,” Dr Toohill said.The motion was passed by Synod.

ABOVE: Reverend Tony Wicking, of Bairnsdale parish, with Ms Rowena Ar-monstrong, QC, Chancellor of Syod.


Discipleship a meansto mission and aid

June 2012 Our Diocese - The Abbey of St Barnabas 19


By Sue Fordham

MORE than 50 peoplepacked into Illawarra totake part in a ‘Q and A’ onthe environment, moder-ated by ABC Radio Gipps-land’s Gerard Callinan, onThursday, May 17, at theAbbey of St Barnabas atA’Beckett Park.The rules of engagement

were spelled out up front:the audience had to keepshoes on and not throwthem at the speakers; andquestions would be taken inan orderly fashion.The speakers, two Bishops

and a Dean, were Gipps-land’s own Bishop, JohnMcIntyre, Bishop KayGoldsworthy, assistantBishop in the diocese ofPerth and Dean of St Paul’sCathedral in Sale, Dr DonSaines.The program began with a

statement by each of thespeakers before questionswere taken from the audi-ence.Bishop John began with an

admission the church hadbeen slow to respond to en-vironmental issues and thatpart of the problem was theway in which church peopleread the Genesis story ofcreation. In other words, isour role to have ‘dominion’over creation, to ‘subdue’ itor to ‘till and tend it’? Bishop John explained that

fundamental to beinghuman is the way in whichwe engage with the wholeof creation, including theenvironment of which weare an integral part.Bishop John referred to a

passage in the Book ofChronicles “and so the landhad its Sabbath” followingthe removal of humankindfrom it. This, he said, wasan indication the earthneeded a time of recoveryfrom the miss-tending of itby people and that if wewanted to grow in spirit weneeded to take our properplace in the creation.Bishop Kay referred to the

concept of the ‘fallow year’and suggested that not onlydid the land need periodicresting, so, too, did people.

She spoke of the environ-ment as a force that in onesense shapes people butthat in another is beyond usand unknowable.“We can’t always subdue

or change the environment,but in our small ways, con-serving the use of electric-ity or setting up wormfarms as examples, we cancare for it. God is in thesmall things as in the bigthings. Our need is to tendand respond,” Bishop Kaysaid.Gerard Callinan was impa-

tient of the concept of a‘fallow year’. He wanted thepanel to be more proactive. “Will you chain yourselves

to Hazelwood, for exam-ple?” he asked.Dean Don introduced the

idea of sustainability tobring balance to the ‘all ornothing’ that has charac-terised parts of the debatesurrounding energysources, timber harvesting,water provision, agriculturalpractices and land use. Hesaid scripture indicated theachievement of wholenesswas at the heart of the wayhumanity needed to live;that care for the world alsoencompassed care for peo-ple’s livelihood and theneed was to find a properbalance.This was a relief to two

timber workers who hadcome along to present thecase for their employerswho they saw as responsi-ble in harvesting timbersustainably, replanting andmaximising use of the prod-uct to avoid waste. Theyalso argued for the jobs ofpeople engaged in timber. The timber workers and a

dairy farmer attending wereencouraged by Bishop Johnwho said the balance be-tween jobs and the envi-ronment had to be arguedfor with governments re-sponsible for compensation,alternative job creation andsupport for sustainable al-ternatives where they ex-isted.Bishop John told the story

of an old timber man fromOrbost who expressedanger at the new practices

of clear felling that he sawas threatening the viabilityof the future of the timberindustry. His generation oftimber men had been con-servers of timber, he be-lieved, because theyrealised that using it sus-tainably was the only wayto guarantee their future.Bishop Kay spoke about

the issues surrounding min-ing that impacted particu-larly on her state (WesternAustralia). On a micro level,she talked about the eco-audits being conducted byparishes, intended to savethe environment as well asparish costs and create anawareness of responsibleuse of resources among anever widening group ofpeople.Finally, Bishop John was

asked to frankly and with-out the gloss explain whythe Abbey had been estab-lished. He admitted that, aswell as having a genuinepersonal interest in the en-vironment, when he cameas bishop to Gippsland hewas confronted with a dio-cese riven by the questionof what to do with A’Beck-ett Park.“If I went with those who

advocated selling, I wouldhave alienated half the dio-cese; similarly, I wouldhave alienated the otherhalf the diocese had I gonewith those who advocatedthe status quo. And then, Ihad a growing convictionthat the place was ideallysuited to be a place for spir-ituality and the environ-ment. “I believe that this grow-

ing awareness was of God.The Abbey is the expressionof that belief,” Bishop Johnsaid.

ABOVE: On the panel forthe ‘Q and A on the envi-ronment’ were Dean of StPaul’s Cathedral in Sale,Reverend Dr Don Saines,Gerard Callinan as facilita-tor, Bishop Kay Goldsworthyof Perth diocese and BishopJohn McIntyre of Gippslanddiocese.

Photo: Edie Ashley

Abbey alive withquestions and answers

ABOVE: Canon Amy Turner and Reverend Greg Magee at-tended clergy conference at the Abbey of St Barnabas atA’Beckett Park.

Photo: Edie Ashley

Abbey to celebratewomen and menGIPPSLAND diocese is celebrating women’s ministry on

July 25 with the dedication of Ena Sheumack House at 12noon in a service at the Abbey of St Barnabas at A’Beck-ett Park on Raymond Island.The Dedication will be followed by a light lunch. All are

welcome and invited to be present for this special dedica-tion.Contact the Registry office, 03 5144 2044 to RSVP.

Men’s retreatTHE Abbey Development

Group is offering a retreatfor men of the diocese,from Friday, August 3 toSunday, August 5.Retreat organiser, Mr

Robert Fordham, said thediocese was fortunate tohost Reverend John Stew-art (right) as the retreatleader. “John is a well known An-

glican priest who has a longinterest in spirituality andthe issues men face in theirdaily lives.” he said. “He completed a research project for his Master’s degree

based on working with men and has continued an interestin this work. He speaks regularly to men’s groups andleads weekends. “He is the Director of the Living Well Centre for Christian

Spirituality and is an Associate Priest at St George’sMalvern. During the weekend there will be an opportunityfor some input, some group and personal reflection andsharing, and appropriate worship.”Joint hosts for the weekend are Reverend Brian Turner

(telephone 0408 216965) and Robert Fordham (telephone0413 807966). For further information, telephone Brianor Robert.To book for the retreat, telephone the Abbey, 03 5156

6580.Contributor: Robert Fordham

For further information about the range of programs onoffer at the Abbey of St Barnabas on Raymond Island, orto book for one of the workshops or retreats, contact TheAbbey, telephone 03 5156 6580, [email protected] or search online at www.the-abbey.org.au

20 Our Diocese - Parish Pictorial June 2012


Ian’s journey as a ChristianPROFESSOR Ian Harper, one of Australia’s

best known economists, recently visitedWonthaggi to speak at a Rotary club din-ner. Ian, a committed Christian, hasworked closely with governments, banksand corporate and leading professionalservices firms for many years. He alsoserved as inaugural chairman of the Aus-tralian Fair Pay Commission. Ian has written a book, Economics for

Life, which reflects on the meaning of life,money and what really matters (reviewedby The Gippsland Anglican in 2011.) Thisbook won the SPCK award for AustralianChristian Book of the Year. Ian is currentlyworking as an economics consultant. At the Rotary Club dinner, Ian gave an in-

teresting speech on the present global and

local economic outlook and the implica-tions for Victorian growth. Wonthaggi/Inverloch Anglican Church had

a men’s breakfast and Ian was able tospeak to a large audience about his jour-ney as a Christian with his family and theways he is able to bring those Christianvalues and influences to the workplace. Ian and his wife, Roslyn, attended our

combined worship service with a sharedlunch afterwards.

Contributor: Jill Price

ABOVE: Reverend Graeme Peters, Profes-sor Ian Harper and parishioner MargueriteMenon at the combined lunch at InverlochChurch of the Ascension.

Photo: Jill Price

Frocks and glamor at Bairnsdale

ABOVE: The annual Johnno’s Fashion Pa-rade was as successful and enjoyable asever, held in Bairnsdale parish recently.The fashions were outstanding and theeight models relaxed and having fun aswell. The compere, Joy Brand, was not al-ways supplied with the right information.The unusual table decorations were madeby Joyce St John and drew many com-ments and good food was served, as peo-

ple have come to expect. The OutreachCentre Johnno’s is doing very well andbeing constantly admired by customerssince its new premises was opened. Pic-tured: Dorothy Scott, Mandy Vandenhoff,Kathy Grabenweger, Collette Thomson, DiThomas, Linda Davies, Toni Knowles andRachel Vandenhoff were the models at thefashion parade.

Photo: Ursula Plunkett

Mother’s Day inOrbost parish

ABOVE and below: Orbost parish hosted a Mother’s Daybreakfast, cooked by Reverend Bevil Lunson and othersand served by men of the parish. This year, 36 women,some from St James’ congregation, other denominationsand others from the community, enjoyed breakfast.

Contributor/Photos: Barbara Lunson

ABOVE: A post World Day of Prayer lunch was hosted bySt John’s on May 3, organised by Marie Stripp. attendedby members of various churches in the Bairnsdale district.The main speaker at the lunch was Bruce Thomas of An-glicare, who spoke of his work as program manager ofcommunity services in Gippsland. Bruce introducedSascha Karner, a lawyer, who has recently joined the teamin Gippsland. Sacha spoke about how he can help withlegal problems. Pictured: Sascha Karner, Marie Stripp andBruce Thorne.

Contributor/Photo: Ursula Plunkett

Lunch with Marie

Documents

The Gippsland Anglican June 2012