New Wangaratta Australia Day Scripture Union Religious Scripture and honours at Mallacoota Discrimination Bill gambling page 3 page 4 page 7 page 9 page 11 TheAnglican Gippsland Volume 117, Number 2, March 2020 Published in Gippsland Diocese since 1904

she has been “given the gift of a wonderful regional dean in Lyndon Philips” and that Our diaconate blossoms Lyndon along with pre- decessor Edie Ashley will be a great source of knowledge. Ordination and collation at St Paul’s Brenda will continue her work with Gippsland Sally Woollett Brenda grew up in Anglican Retirement Living Morwell, worshipping and her safe ministry work, warm atmosphere, with her family at St something for which she both literally and Mary’s, then spending has a passion. ..figuratively, greeted more than two decades In congratulating Belinda, A teaching in pre-schools Belinda Seabrook and the Graham described her as a Ven Brenda Burney on the in the Latrobe Valley. “remarkable person” – raising occasion of Belinda’s ordinat- She was ordained a two daughters as a single ion as a deacon in the Church deacon in 2006 and mother, her faithful lay of God and Brenda’s collation a priest the following ministry work at Leongatha, as Archdeacon of the Eastern year, and has served in as well as commitment to Region. The gentle motion of ordained roles at the full-time study. makeshift fans accompanied parishes of Drouin, Belinda was very pleased to the processional worship Westernport and see the diversity of the group songs played by pianist Helen Churchill/Boolarra/ of people who had gathered Petering as the two women Yinnar. She and her to celebrate. She thanked entered St Paul’s on the first husband, Rod, have clergy, family and friends, day of February, the eve of settled easily in to including those who “loved the Presentation of Christ in Bairnsdale, enjoying the her gently”; her “courageous the Temple. opportunities to walk and loving daughters”, During his sermon, Bishop into town and being Katherine and Eleanor; and Richard commented, “… there near the river. “I have a Bishop Richard, who, she is something emblematic great faith community said, has been “steadfast in about the deacon as an here and they make us his encouragement.” ambassador of Christ, a feel at home,” she said. Belinda’s daughters were bearer of this gospel, which Brenda’s new role quite awestruck by the is symbolised for us in our involves leadership work grandness of the occasion, worship by the deacon’s with groups such as with Katherine asking, stewardship of the Gospel clergy appointment “Are you excited, mum? book: carrying it in, reading Photos: Christine Morris boards and parish You’re getting ordained!” from it, carrying it out. … councils across the “As we watch the Gospel Belinda Seabrook with daughters Katherine and Eleanor Eastern Region. She said Continued on page 3 book held aloft (liturgically congregation’s applause. crowd-surfed, as it were) During the refreshments and going before us into the afterwards, Archdeacon world, our baptismal calling Graham Knott expressed the is symbolically enacted. gratitude of the Gippsland We follow the deacon out Diocese for Brenda’s support, of church and we too carry as Rector of Bairnsdale, the gospel into our jobs, our during the devastating bush- classes, our families, our social fires, a time that Brenda circles, our conversations, our herself described as a consumption, our voting, our “baptism of fire.” In her spending, our conflict, our response, Brenda stressed carbon footprints, our leisure, that she has not been alone: and whatever else awaits us.” “Being Archdeacon is being As Belinda and Brenda part of a team,” she said. departed the cathedral at the Reflecting later on that time, conclusion of the service, she said that the telling another sound rose above of stories has been something the recessional music: people have needed to do the exuberant whoop of a often, as they try to make clergy member, leading the sense of what happened. Brenda Burney outside St Paul’s

www.gippsanglican.org.au From the Bishop TGA

Index There are gaps between Minding the gap community expectations and From the Bishop 2 institutional processes that need to be bridged, such Prayer Diary 2 n observing Lent, Christ liturgical means of interpreting as those highlighted by the -ians engage in some that same experience in our Royal Commission into Around rural Victoria 3 I-thing quite counter lives and our culture and in Institutional Responses to cultural. creation itself. Child Sexual Abuse, on which Around the Diocese 4–8 We wait. We postpone For many in our region and – while significant progress gratification and live more our country, that liminal space has been made – much more Editorial 6 sacrificially in smaller and between Good Friday and work is yet to be done in areas larger ways. Easter, which the first disciples Bishop such as clergy supervision Across the ages: 8 We intentionally resist occupied in a haze of grief and and the normalising of safe Learning new ways jumping to the resolution of a confusion, not knowing what prayer and discipline we ministry protocols among of being a dad tension. We pare away – as far to make of it all, has become may grow in grace and lay people. as possible – the distractions strangely familiar. learn to be your people Exemptions from anti- Religious 9 and deflections, which so often As we mark the days of once again. Through discrimination legislation Discrimination Bill prevent us (or protect us?) Lent and Holy Week, and as fasting, prayer and acts is another area where from listening to that still small we mind that gap, the paschal of service you bring us community expectations Ecumenical and 10 voice within and without. We story becomes our story. It is back to your generous and the hitherto assumed interfaith: Holi – festival of colour, spring and love open our hearts to those truths all too easy to anticipate the heart. Through the study prerogatives of religious about ourselves and our world end of the drama (which is of your holy word you organisations need realign- Sunday to everyday: 11 that, confronting as they may not really an end, of course, open our eyes to your ment – a topic Mark Woods Scripture and gambling be, will set us free to welcome but another challenging presence in the world reflects upon in this issue of the costly renewal of Easter. beginning) and the triumphant, and free our hands to TGA. Book review 12 The ‘Feb fast’ has taken phoenix-like flourish of welcome others into the In the same spirit, Pope on something of the purg- something new rising from the radiant splendour of Francis’ recent response Diocesan calendar 12 ing dimension traditionally ashes of what was. your love. to questions raised at the associated with Lent, although Our spiritual work in this (Times and Seasons, Roman Catholic Synod of its purpose is perhaps more season, our ‘Lenten discipline’ Church House from the pan-Amazon pragmatic, and oriented in the old language, is much Publishing, 2006) region encourages the primarily toward personal harder and less predictable faithful to look beyond purely GIPPSLAND DIOCESE wellbeing rather than wider than that, notwithstanding That vocation to welcome internal matters around VACANCIES social goods. Lent, by contrast, the hope and promise of others into God’s love finds church order to their part in Drouin calls us inward so as to turn Easter Day. many different expressions defending the environment Paynesville us outward. It is inner work that issues in – on an individual basis, and in the Amazon given its Wonthaggi / Inverloch In speaking with the Rev’d outward focus. A Eucharistic at a societal level. There are crucial role in reducing Jude Benton in an interview Prayer for Ash Wednesday socio-economic gaps of which global warming. at Mallacoota (that is now in the Church of England’s we are mindful – disparities As we ‘mind the gap’ that on the diocesan website), we Common Worship resources with respect to access and Lent offers, may our inner The Gippsland reflected on the wisdom of the captures this well: equity – that do need to be work prepare the ground for Anglican gap that Holy Week enshrines For in these forty days closed more quickly, as the a deeper engagement with the between dying and rising – you lead us into the recent annual Closing the world God so loves. Member of Australasian Religious not just as a way of ritualising desert of repentance, that Gap scorecard to federal Press Association the gospel narratives but as a through a pilgrimage of parliament makes clear. Registered by Australia Post Print Post Number 34352/00018

The Gippsland Anglican is the official Crib Service. We pray for newspaper of and is published by Prayer Diary: around the parishes God’s leading and guidance The Anglican Diocese of Gippsland, for our parish into the future. 453 Raymond Street, “That we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith...” (Romans 1:12) Sale, Victoria, 3850. www.gippsanglican.org.au BUNYIP – We have an excellent Churchill Neighbourhood CORNER INLET – Editor: Sally Woollett EPISCOPAL DISTRICT Bunyip Lecture and two Centre continues to grow, SOUTHERN REGION 0407 614 661 top-class spirituality days with church members [email protected] St Thomas, Bunyip lined up. Our leadership playing pivotal roles on the Christ Church, Foster Priest-in Charge: St Thomas, Toora Layout by Devine Design team is being strengthened Community Garden Group The Rev’d Ken Parker Union Church, Fish Creek and we develop some clarity and in the Community Cafe. Printed by Rural Press Transfiguration, Hedley Our little parish is looking to a of vision. Your prayers are Several church members Sandy Point The editor reserves the right challenging year as we move working. Thank you! also serve at the breakfast of final choice and format of Rector: The Rev’d Tim into new and deeper waters. program at Churchill material included in each issue. Fletcher The Gippsland Anglican and In November we purchased CHURCHILL/BOOLARRA/ Primary School. We have a the editor cannot necessarily a small unit in Bunyip’s YINNAR – WESTERN stall at the monthly Lion’s Our op shop is struggling verify any material used in this High Street and so once REGION Market and on IGA Market against new and bigger op publication. Views contained in submitted material are those more we have a clergy Cooperating churches in Days. The monthly Coffee shops. The congregation of contributors. house. Our priest, Ken Churchill Christ Church, Connections group gives at Foster remains constant, Parker, after three years us a chance to build on new but smaller centres are Advertising enquiries Boolarra Uniting Church, and existing relationships. Please contact the editor for all as locum, becomes priest- Minister: Peter Carter under pressure. We have advertising submissions, costing in-charge. We continue to Ministry to children is had a lovely summer of and enquiries, including about explore the possibility of Our focus over the last important to us, with youth visitors and missions. We inserts. a mentoring ministry at few years has been in groups, school holiday are strongly reliant on better connecting with Subscription enquiries the local school and we programs, Easter and cooperating ministries with our community. Our 03 5144 2044 continue developing our Christmas Club programs other denominations in [email protected] community connections. relationship with the as well as a Christmas Eve local congregations.

Page 2 The Gippsland Anglican March 2020 TGA Around rural Victoria

Clarence’s belief in Our diaconate blossoms the importance of the New bishop for empowerment of laity led to Continued from page 1 gift of ordination upon a an ‘Every Member Ministry young woman on her calling ’ which was “lay driven Belinda began as Lay with Jesus … a new birthing, Wangaratta and clerically serviced” to Assistant Minister in a new journey.” great success, enabling Leongatha in early 2017. Her Belinda believes that parishes to stay alive. work has been as a prayer young clergy can help Clarence arrived in evangelist in the areas of normalise Christian life by Australia with his wife prayer and healing, welcoming realising that indifference and two children in 2015, and outreach. Her singing rather than hostility is often settling first in the Parish and guitar playing are a a barrier, and by fostering of Shepparton. He later perfect complement to meaningful interpersonal became Diocesan Arch- her additional role as a connections. Also, she deacon, Archdeacon for coordinator of several bands. said, “it is important Ministry Development She plans to continue not to be ashamed of … (AMD) – a passion obvious her correspondence study traditional expressions of from his early ministry in towards a Bachelor of worship. We stand on the South Africa – and Rector, Theology through Charles shoulders of giants and a Parish of Wangaratta West Sturt University. She says this deep and rich Church history. and the Warbys. In his role year also holds further training There is room for both as AMD he continued to and preparation for future contemporary and traditional empower the laity and clergy ministry. To others considering expressions of worship.” through initiatives relating the path to ordination, she Both Brenda and Belinda to theological, liturgical, says, “Keep on following the thanked the kind and creative spiritual and practical call of God … Have courage people who made their aspects of ministry. He and allow others to support stoles: Kate Campbell and enabled parishes to establish and challenge you along Maryann Ashton. ministry action plans the way.” Belinda was invited to cut leading to authentic Alisha Moyle, a parish the exquisite ordination cake, programs for mission, Bishop Clarence Bester councillor at St Paul’s provided by mum Shirley and engagement and evangelism. Warragul and engaged sister Tamara. She did this, Clarence has also in vocational discernment, daughters by her side, with The Ven Clarence Edgar months later, Clarence undertaken ministry in attended the service. She three cheers rounding off Bester was consecrated was ordained as a priest. Cologne, Bonn and Strasburg “identified with the sacred the day. as a Bishop at St Paul’s His subsequent journey is as well as visits to York in Cathedral in Melbourne on one of responding to calls England. He is currently 22 February and installed to increased responsibility, licensed to officiate in the The Gippsland as Bishop of Wangaratta at often as the youngest person Diocese of Europe within the Holy Trinity Cathedral the to occupy those roles: Province of Canterbury. Anglican following day. curate, parish priest, rector, One of the ways Clarence Previously Administrator of Territorial Archdeacon and describes his ministry is one the Diocese of Wangaratta, then, in 2010, Archdeacon of “availability, visibility and Clarence has been an to the Ordinary (Bishop presence,” which he says ordained priest in the in the Diocese of False he developed during his Anglican Church for almost Bay). Over those years, formation as a young curate. half his eventful and wherever he was posted, He holds to the belief that “I productive life. He was born, the story is one of growing would like to care for people raised and educated in Cape congregations, establishment in the way I hope they would Town, South Africa. of ministry education, care for me.” In 1993, Clarence entered parish visiting programs Love thy neighbour, theological college and in and strategic plans, as well Courtesy Anglican 1996 was made a deacon as ensuring sound financial Diocese of Wangaratta. share thy newspaper! in the Anglican Church of and pastoral management Original story by the Southern Africa. Just nine of parishes and beyond. Rev’d Helen Malcolm.

March 2020 The Gippsland Anglican Page 3 Around the Diocese – Australia Day TGA

several artifacts and symbols Order of Australia for Australia Day at St Mary’s that represented Aboriginal life and worship for Kathy. Rev’d Canon Dr John Morgan Carolyn Raymond out in order. Each card had The many prayers written the event and the date of for Australia Day gave he Rev’d Canon After a period at a significant event in our thanks for the riches of the Dr John Laurence Harvard, John became At St Mary’s we are big history, and Kathy gave land, Aboriginal people Morgan, resident of warden of St John’s College, on celebration! Celebrating us extra background and and the diversity of our T Australia Day is a great meaning to the event. This Moe-Newborough parish, University of Queensland, population. We prayed was appointed a Member where he served for 31 opportunity to pray and give was a powerful way to for unity within diversity. of the Order of Australia years and was a canon thanks for our wonderful share our journey as a nation To worship together with (AM) on Australia Day residentiary of St John’s country. We displayed native and the suffering of the people from South Sudan, for “significant service Cathedral. He was involved flora and fauna, beautiful Aboriginal people. from Fiji, from the UK and to education and to the in the completion of the Aboriginal paintings and many Kathy shared with us Indonesia underlines for us Anglican Church of cathedral and even served Australian and Aboriginal beautiful artifacts that her that diversity. Australia.” as chairman of a company flags around our church. grandfather had made. We are especially grateful to John attended Moe High formed to work a quarry Rev’d Kathy Dalton, She also showed us her Kathy for preaching because School (now Lowanna jointly controlled by a Gunaikurnai respected elder stoles, which were we know she sees Australia College) as an original commercial group and and Associate Priest Koori embroidered by Kate Day as Invasion Day for the member in 1953. After the cathedral chapter. He Ministry, gave the Welcome Campbell. These depicted Aboriginal people. working as a teacher in served on many diocesan to Country and greeted inner city Melbourne bodies and was an us all in language. Her schools and as a tutor at examining chaplain. sermon was a summary Trinity College, he John was involved in of Aboriginal history from studied theology at Oriel teaching medical and early times, through the College, Oxford University. business ethics at the coming of settlers from He returned briefly to University of Queensland overseas to the present Australia to be ordained and was made an honorary day. She walked through deacon in Gippsland and professor and awarded the history, marking significant later ordained priest for degree of doctor of the events by giving members Gippsland in Oxford. university. He also served of the congregation He served as chaplain on various university and cards, which were read of Oriel College (Cardinal medical research ethics Newman’s College) while committees in the university, then completing a doctorate and Brisbane hospitals, in moral theology and and was a member of the Citizens’ awards in east Gippsland sociology. In Washington Australian Health Ethics DC he worked as an Committee. He received assistant to the Governor a Centenary Medal for of California and as his contribution to ethics honorary priest in a parish. in Australia. He returned to Melbourne Following a few years in University as ecumenical Cambridge, John returned chaplain and also to Moe in his retirement taught theology through where he assists from time Trinity College. to time. Disability advocate recognised by Latrobe City

Dr Carole Broxham, a Carole successfully new addition to Moe- sought funding to Peter and Margaret Down (centre) with members of their family and Kevin Broughton (far right), acting CEO of GARLL, Newborough Parish Council, develop a project to of whose board Peter Down is the Chair, at the East Gippsland Shire awards ceremony in Lakes Entrance has received the Latrobe build awareness of City Australia Day and reduce barriers to Brenda Burney At St John’s in Bairnsdale rehabilitation centre upon Recognition Award (Adult social inclusion. The LIFE he has been a warden, parish hearing stories from recovered Citizen Category) for a project offered pilates council member, and Synod addicts. He and his team of second consecutive year. classes in and with the eter Down was representative. He is the experienced people have been Carole is a passionate community for people announced as the chairperson of the Gippsland the driving force for the Hope advocate for people with with intellectual disability PBairnsdale Citizen of the Anglican Retirement Living Centre since 2015. He is an disability, in particular followed by a shared Year on Australia Day, a very Ltd (GARLL) Board, a lay executive member of the board promoting social inclusion. social experience. The well-deserved recognition of reader, a member of the Clergy and has worked tirelessly to This is evident not only project was so successful his tireless, selfless energy Appointments Board and leads see the centre come to fruition. through her work as the it was funded for an and community-mindedness. evening praise and worship It will open in March. chief executive officeradditional three years Peter has a long history services on a regular basis. Peter was also a finalist of Moe Life Skills but in to build the capacity of of church and community One of Peter’s greatest for the East Gippsland Shire involvement. A builder by contributions to the Bairnsdale Citizen of the Year. Along her everyday life, where recreation and leisure trade, he has had a hand in community has been his God- with the other finalists and she consistently promotes facilities to provide physical the construction of many given vision for the Hope the winner, Anglican Blake change to community activity opportunities and churches and parish buildings Restart Centre, a world-class Hollonds from Swifts Creek, attitudes towards people social interaction for across Gippsland. He was facility for the treatment of he was presented with a with disability, and people with intellectual involved in the construction of addiction to alcohol and other certificate at a ceremony at the especially those with an disability with the general Gippsland House in our sister drugs. Peter first recognised Mechanics Institute in Lakes intellectual disability. community. Diocese of Gahini in Rwanda. the need for a drug and alcohol Entrance on 23 January.

Page 4 The Gippsland Anglican March 2020 TGA Around the Diocese Community award to Strengthening Newton College in PNG r John Wright from youth role-model .Cowes is among Da group of Australians who have joined Bishop John Batt recognition of the good work that John had been doing Jeffrey Driver in supporting in the community, some Newton College in Popondetta, Local parish part-time youth seed funding from Anglican Papua New Guinea. worker John van de Marel and Uniting Church sources Jeffrey, previous Bishop of has been awarded the meant that John was able to Gippsland and of Neerim District Australia Day be employed as a youth Adelaide, is acting principal Community Citizen of the worker for three years in of the college at a time of Year Award. the Neerim district. After major review and revisioning. John moved to the Neerim the funding for his part- He has been joined by a range of people from diverse district in 2002 and has been time position ran out, John backgrounds, including Mr contributing to community continued in the youth David Chambers from life ever since. John has outreach role as a volunteer. Heyfield parish. David is a spent the majority of his In 2010, John initiated the recently retired engineer who adult life in various capacities Positive Choices Mentoring worked for many years with as a volunteer and in a Program and was the Neerim Gippsland Water and who professional capacity as a district Secondary College assisted at Popondetta in Dr John Wright and a student on a recent visit to Popondetta youth worker, camps activity Chaplain between 2012 restoring a water supply at Lynn Pryor from Melbourne Jeffrey has called PNG coordinator and school and 2016. the college. also made the trip to a “social and economic chaplain. John has shown an For more than 10 years, A group of Australian Popondetta and assisted Lazarus” sitting at the gate impressive commitment to John has volunteered and scholars will supplement the in training a new librarian. of ‘rich man’ Australia. “We the betterment and wellbeing worked for Youth for Christ, teaching at the college and Lynn has worked in have shared much in the past of the youth and community focusing his work in the John Wright was the first of establishing libraries in a with our brothers and sisters of Neerim district over an Neerim district. He has these for many years. John was number of developing countries. in PNG,” Jeffrey said, “now, extended period. He has been programmed, facilitated the Dean of St John’s College At the same time as looking as Anglicans, we have the a youth worker at the Neerim and led adventure-based Auckland and before that to assist in renewing the opportunity to share in a very South Cooperating Parish for activities for a variety of young held academic appointments academic life of the college, important way – helping to 17 years, largely acting in a people, including both youth in Australia. John is a Jeffrey has been focused on strengthen the one college volunteer capacity. John is groups and school groups, specialist Old Testament practical elements to improve where priestly leaders are inclusive and accepting of all since 2003. Scholar and as well as teaching the lives of teachers and trained for the Anglican young people. Young people John is a quiet achiever, ‘Torah’ has contributed to the students, who live a near- Church in PNG.” respond very positively to working often with at- development of the biblical subsistence existence and Jeffrey is in Newton College John’s genuine interest and risk young people, and it studies curriculum. often struggle for the basics, during March and will spend concern for them. Many of is heartening that he has Jeffrey has been including a balanced diet, much of the second half of the young people who attend been recognised for his coordinating the revision of health care and the education the year there. youth group have little or longstanding contribution to the curriculum, which has of children. A lecturer’s no church connection. In the life of the Neerim district. not had any form of major ‘allowance’ at Newton A story by Bishop Jeffrey review since the college College is about $5000, with on his recent visit to Home for Ann moved to the Popondetta prices for many things about Popondetta will be site in the late 1970s. The 150% of what might be found published in the next issue. Greenwood embroideries library has needed very in Australia. The students See p. 12 for a review of a significant reorganisation, and subsist on what they can grow book about Philip Strong, at about the same time as John in a small garden allotted a major Christian figure Susan Fordham provenance: the gift-giver, Pat Williams; and the artist, Wright visited the college, to them. in 20th-century PNG. Ann Greenwood. Ken It is a blisteringly hot day described Ann Greenwood the star and the third, with in late January, deep into as a pre-eminent explorer its eight-point star, connects the season of Epiphany. of symbols and mystery: heaven and earth. Thirty of us gather at the “This work comes from The fourth embroidery chapel of St Barnabas on Ann’s rich inner life and portrays the first wise man Raymond Island, in the her sometimes eccentric with his gift of gold. The context of a Eucharist spirituality. She was a seeker zigzag line that bisects the presided over by Bishop after wisdom. This series is work represents Herod, a Richard, to dedicate, hang about the journey and the repressive energy always and celebrate 10 special mystery of adoration. She present in the world. The embroideries created by sees the journey as a fifth embroidery portrays the Ann Greenwood. dark one, but I suppose second ‘priestly’ wise man As we contemplate the we need darkness in trying to hold together the embroideries and the story order to see the star. things of heaven and earth they tell of the journey of Of both the inner and the and the sixth, wise man the spirit, it occurs to us that outer journey we ponder three with the gift of myrrh, the Magi’s journey, following what we bring to it, what the Herod line implying the R–L: The first, second and third of Ann Greenwood’s embroideries the star, in the biting cold we find along the way wrestling with power in our flowing through them all. awakens the divine within us. of winter, is in some ways and what we leave behind own lives. In the ninth, the gifts But no explanation of the the opposite of ours. Ours is when it is over.” The seventh embroidery stand in the presence of embroideries is ever complete. in a heat so oppressive and The first embroidery, a star represents the massacre of the divine one, a presence The individual journeyman or a light so blinding that it is and sceptre, sets the spiritual the innocents and the eighth that has been there all the woman needs to discover the hard to imagine the darkness power against the temporal a sense of arrival. The star has time. The 10th and final meanings for him/herself. of theirs. and suggests that the journey become a cross that holds embroidery draws it all It was an exhilarating day, The Rev’d Ken Parker is concerned to heal the split. the divine child. The wise together. We need to live and all travellers are invited introduced the embroideries The second sees the three men and Herod are all there our life knowing that the to view the embroideries and with a history of their wise men looking towards with the gold of divinity giving and receiving of gifts find their own meanings.

March 2020 The Gippsland Anglican Page 5 Around the Diocese TGA

EDITORIAL Bushfire funds from Neerim South A door into the imagination John Batt This otherworldly The township of door is part of a Mallacoota in he challenges faced particular had church at Stow- by the people of east been in the news on-the-Wold, Gippsland to rebuild and there was a Gloucestershire, T visited by a family and rejuvenate after this lot of community summer’s bushfire crisis are goodwill toward member of mine enormous. The Neerim South east Gippsland. on a recent holiday. minister and parish council Donations were St Edward’s was saw an opportunity for our very generous – built by the Church little town, through our ranging from $2 to of England from opportunity shop, to make a $150 – and many Cotswold stone contribution, a small gesture people said “keep between the 11th from one small country town the change” after and 15th centuries. to another. a transaction. One The impressive Parish council decided aged pensioner north entry, thought to donate all the proceeds gave $150. We to have been from the op shop for 20–25 also used the constructed in the Photo: Stuart Woollett January to the Anglican local Neerim 13th century, is Diocese of Gippsland – District Facebook flanked by two yew trees, and some say it is the Gippsland Emergency Relief The parish council favoured Community Noticeboard to inspiration for J.R.R. Tolkien’s Doors of Durin, the Fund for the benefit of the Croajingalong because it was spread the message. The west gate of Moria in The Lord of the Rings: The Cooperating Parish of also a small country parish result was a total of $4000 Fellowship of the Ring. Tolkien travelled regularly Croajingolong (Cann River, with three centres similar to in proceeds and donations to between his home in Oxford and his mother’s family Mallacoota and Genoa). our own parish. Croajingalong go to the fund. The money home in Worcestershire, a journey that would have taken The advantage in using and Neerim South are both is available immediately him through that part of the Cotswolds. this fund is that there are no Anglican/Uniting parishes, and has been transferred by Victorian-era architect John Loughborough administrative or other costs which meant that the donated our treasurer. Pearson (1817–1897) oversaw restoration of the involved, so that every dollar funds did not need to be We are not a big parish and Norman church, which stands on the site of an older, given will go to support split between Anglican or can’t help everyone, but we Saxon, church. the work and ministry of the Uniting causes but could be saw an opportunity to help In 1926, just shy of 80 years after Pearson’s restoration Croajingolong Parish for its concentrated for the benefit the folk of Mallacoota, Cann work at Stow, Tolkien encountered C.S. Lewis at an caring and outreach ministry. of one worthy recipient. River and Genoa. English faculty meeting at Oxford University. It was the beginning of a long but sometimes tumultuous friendship. Lewis is said to have returned to his faith under New ministry appointments Tolkien’s influence but to the dismay of Tolkien (who was a Roman Catholic) became, as Lewis described it in his book Mere Christianity, an “ordinary layman of the in Yarram and Mirboo North Church of England.” Pearson was perhaps best known for his design of Newly married couple Tony On the recommendation Anglican Church and – for Cornwall’s Truro Cathedral, the first Anglican church Wicking and Jenny Ramage of the Clergy Appointments eight of those years – as the to have been built since the Middle Ages. For a time have been appointed on Board, The Rev’d Ben Johnson Church Planter for Harvest he was surveyor at Westminster Abbey and his remains the recommendation of commenced a part-time Anglican Church at Officer. are interred there. Also in Westminster Abbey, in Poets’ the Clergy Appointments ministry at St Mary’s on 1 Ben has been working Corner, sits a memorial to Lewis. Advisory Board to lead the March as Priest-in-Charge, for in this region as a chaplain Initial plans for St John’s Anglican Cathedral in Brisbane, Parish of Yarram. In a first a 12-month term initially. with the Army Reserves, who in the Gothic Revival style, were drawn up by Pearson. for the Diocese of Gippsland, For the past 13 years, Ben were called up in January After his death, his son Frank was entrusted to modify each will be licensed as Priest- has served as an Associate to assist with the bushfire and carry the design to fruition. Being a publicly funded in-Charge, and together they Priest at Glen Waverley relief effort. concern, construction took more than a century, being will be Priests-in-Charge of completed in 2008. the parish, in a shared part- Sally Woollett time ministry. This is a very exciting development for Yarram, LETTER TO THE EDITOR which in the last two years has enjoyed fruitful and I am deeply grateful to Jennie Gordon, whose poem intentional locum ministries “Blessed are you East Gippsland” (February TGA) touched me deeply. I was not aware how much I’ve been grieving from Bishop Jeffrey Driver over the drought, fire and flood that our nation has and the Rev'd Brian Norris, suffered. In fact, I think I’ve been ‘out of touch’ with my with Canon Amy Turner also grief and compassion. Jennie’s psalm (it truly is a psalm) providing a significant ministry, evoked a well of tears that flooded over, and I finally among other clergy and lay got in touch with the grief that was buried and needed readers. Jenny and Tony will to be released. bring considerable experience, I give thanks for you, Sally, and for your editorial skills, I wisdom, and complementary give thanks for the medium of physically printed material gifts to this new joint ministry, like TGA, which can be used by God to reveal himself to made possible by diocesan us and within us. Finally, I give thanks for the Diocese legislation adopted last year. of Gippsland – from what I read it is clearly alive and Jenny and Tony will be thriving. Most uplifting and encouraging. inducted as Priests-in-Charge at Holy Trinity Yarram on Tony Wicking and Jenny Ramage on their wedding day, Elizabeth Albiston 15 April. at which Bishop Richard officiated

Page 6 The Gippsland Anglican March 2020 TGA Around the Diocese

Photo: Courtesy the Theos team

The Theos team on the beach at Mallacoota with young children needed Everyone in the team is Scripture Union Theos something to do. The Theos very thankful for the ongoing drop-in centre was opened prayers of the public since on 1 and 2 January, and many the fires, and the Theos team young people came along to ask that you keep the families outreach at Mallacoota our program. It was here that who have lost their homes the Theos team learnt of the and businesses, as well group of young Christ- from that fire was reaching the CFA had assigned several gravity of people’s traumatic as the young people in ians from Melbourne town. The Theos team met to trucks to hose down the experiences with the fire. Some Mallacoota, in your thoughts .and Gippsland venture discuss the rapidly changing building while the firestorm of the people who came along to and prayers. Due to economic A the drop-in centre had lost their and geographic challenges, off to Mallacoota every year weather conditions and reports passed through. The Theos to support the work of of many fires spreading and team prayed openly for safety houses, and many were at a loss Mallacoota will be a tough Scripture Union over the impacting small communities for everyone in Mallacotta as to what to do in the future. place to rebuild. Continue Christmas holiday period. throughout east Gippsland. during the difficult few hours This was truly heartbreaking to pray for the Mallacoota Scripture Union Victoria While many people opted to when the firestorm was at to witness. Aside from opening church and for Jude Benton, is a Christian movement leave Mallacoota, the Theos its worst. the drop-in centre at night, the local pastor. In 2020, working with children, young team decided to stay due to the We were aware of hundreds we helped out with small Scripture Union and Theos people and families that potentially treacherous road of people praying for the tasks during the day such as teams will be back to support develops leaders, empowers conditions, with fires rapidly Scripture Union team at setting up chairs and tables for this beautiful community. communities and impacts lives spreading and impacting the Mallacoota, including other community meetings, and we Stephen and Jonathan Charles through camps, holiday and Princes Highway. Scripture Union beach also ran a free barbecue, which (Theos team members) are school programs happening On the afternoon of 30 missions, friends and family. was very well received. from St Paul’s Warragul. across many holiday locations December, we heard that fire This helped immensely with throughout Victoria. For one was rapidly encroaching on the morale of the group, and of the programs, Theos, young Mallacoota. This news turned we know that people’s prayers Christians run a youth group out to be incorrect, but it did were heard and answered. program and provide a safe prompt people to pack their Through the whole ordeal alternative space for youth and emergency bags and put on spirits were kept high, people young adults. long clothes. The Theos team were supporting each other The Theos program has been slept in the local community and the mood was light; an integral part of summer for hall that night, with people conversations were often young people in Mallacoota assigned to keep watch. filled with humour despite for many years, providing a There was a monumental red the grave situation. After the space to enjoy playing pool, glow in the night sky, and at firestorm had passed through, cards or just sitting at a jigsaw 5 am on 31 December the there was a mutual sense and hanging out with their CFA ordered us to relocate to of relief – soon superceded friends. The program is run out the indoor basketball court, by feelings of loss as we drove of ‘The Muddie’, Mallacoota’s which is normally set up as around the town and talked to mudbrick hall, for two weeks a cinema over the summer different people who had been over the Christmas to New holiday period. Along with traumatised by the experience Year holiday period. The 500–600 others, including of the destructive nature of the 2019 Theos team were excited dogs and many babies, the firestorm. and enthusiastic, planning to Theos team all crammed into We decided to continue run their usual program for one basketball court while running the Theos program, the locals and young people the full force of the firestorm despite the shock felt by holidaying in Mallacoota. passed over. Throughout everybody in the community. How wrong we were! the morning and into early The team felt that they had an The start of our time in afternoon it was pitch black opportunity to really be helpful Mallacoota was disrupted with outside. Inside the basketball for the youth of Mallacoota, reports that bushfires were court the temperature reached particularly because some of starting to gather momentum in 48 degrees and large plumes of the local residents had lost nearby Croajingalong National smoke and embers enveloped their homes and families Park. Considerable smoke the stadium. Thankfully, the holidaying in Mallacoota

March 2020 The Gippsland Anglican Page 7 Around the Diocese TGA

participate Celebrating the baptism of Jesus in services in our nursing Carolyn Raymond Their parents, fleeing from the David then formally homes. I violence in South Sudan, have commissioned Val Laurence thought how settled in the Latrobe Valley for her future work in our church n 12 January, with and are now much-loved organising activities at St provides .parishes across the members of our church family. Hilary’s Nursing Home. Val a spiritual Oworld, St Mary’s Isabella was uncertain, but her has had a long association home for our celebrated the baptism of Jesus big brother Ben and her parents with St Hilary’s and has taken church family in the river Jordan. This event were a support to her. Joel or assisted with services and our faith marked the beginning of Our was also not quite sure about there for some time. As encourages Lord’s public ministry. It was what was happening, but Val said, “my ministry is where and empowers fitting to celebrate the formal he found the Rev’d David I have been planted!” David our ministry beginning of the Christian Head’s glasses fascinating! then formally acknowledged in the church life of two of our precious The welcome by the con- all those from the and in the children, Isabella and Joel. gregation was very heartfelt. congregation who regularly community. Rev’d David commissioning Val Laurence Anglicare Bairnsdale office now open to the public

Anglicare Victoria has that supports families expanded services from its to recover from family Bairnsdale office and will violence. The TeachAR now be open Monday to program provides a Friday, 9 am – 5 pm. qualified teacher working Alongside the Financial with children in out-of- Counselling and Youth home care to support Justice Conferencing their education. programs already operat- People attending the ing out of the office, the site for assistance will site will also have a TRAK be greeted by Chaneil Forward team and TeachAR Ditton, who has been worker. TRAK Forward employed in reception and L–R: Jenny Legget (TeachAR), Phil Owen (Youth Justice), Alicia Allen (TRAK Forward team leader), is a therapeutic program administration. Chaneil Ditton (reception), Cathrine Muston (Parish Partnerships), Leonie Cooke (senior financial counsellor)

to ask better questions of their their children specifically and Across the ages children either on the phone to be less judgemental has more ‘aha’ moments than or at visiting times has been made a difference for them. I had during 20 years of a significant game changer, AR said that he was looking classroom teaching. This is due enabling more interactive and at changing a lot of his to the privilege I have to co- positive conversations. parenting. SR learnt to ask facilitate a parenting program One participant, JR, said more questions of his children in Fulham Correctional Centre that once he was able to in a way that enables them to called ‘Being a Dad’. identify his own values he was have more of a conversation. ‘Being a Dad’ has more able to be clear about Almost all reported a change been running in Fulham the sort of parent he wanted in the way they spoke to their Correctional Centre for to be. This in turn helped him children and that they had a nine years as a partnership to plan to be that person. different perspective on how between Anglicare Victoria’s MM also said that “by clearly to be a good dad. Parentzone program, Parish identifying my values I have When asked, “What are Partnerships and Fulham been able to prioritise them the benefits of doing the

Photo: Kiefer.Wolfowitz Correctional Centre. The in my family.” Change was Being a Dad program?” one seven-week course runs about not immediate, but small wins father wrote: four times each year, covering early on have encouraged the It is a fantastic program topics including parenting men to keep going. with useful information, ‘Aha!’ Learning new styles, child development and Many of the men said that hints, tips and ideas to the power of praise. About 12 the course enabled them to communicate to your men attend each course. understand the impact of their children at specific age ways of being a dad Men have found that these behaviour on their children groups and development opportunities have given them and to develop more empathy stages. It’s great for all Cathrine Muston, Anglicare Development Officer, more understanding of how for them. This encourages the fathers in prison as it helps Parish Partnerships their child’s brain develops men to set the goal of thinking us have a meaningful and and how important it is to more before they act. useful relationship with As a teacher, I used to world. Most teachers would match parental expectations For others, it is about our children. spend enormous time and report that such moments to the child’s abilities. They are putting more effort into Being a Dad will continue effort designing teaching are not always witnessed often motivated to put more parenting and taking more in Fulham Correctional Centre experiences that would by the teacher but when effort into their relationships time to communicate with this year, with Cathrine hopefully lead young people they do they are inspiring with their children after they their children. Finding Muston and Rich Lanham co- to that ‘aha’ moment when a and encouraging. It’s have had the opportunity to a renewed sense of facilitating. Please pray for particular concept made sense essentially the reason a lot of learn about the impact of their responsibility as a parent the men who will participate, and they could integrate it teachers continue. parenting and spent some was a feature of most of the as well as their children and into their knowledge and Since leaving teaching three time with other dads. For feedback received. Some have extended families, as they (hopefully) apply it to their years ago, I have witnessed those in prison, learning how said that learning to praise learn new ways of being dads.

Page 8 The Gippsland Anglican March 2020 TGA Religious Discrimination Bill

protection may be founded on J.B. Phillips’ account of Antioch and Lystra to Canberra and Sale the trial of Paul in The Young Church in Action, or the torture Mark Woods the basis of religious belief or differential treatment. It the reforms will “entrench graphics of Christos Tsiolkas’ activity in specified areas of would for example include double standards and have Damascus. Or you may take public life.” Religious belief the providing of a prayer the potential to harm the view that protection is itting in a reserved would include the tenets of room at the Latrobe Regional LGBTIQ+ people, as well as not required at all, as some pew for last month’s the major traditional faith Hospital, or allowing flexible the disabled ….” contemporary sociologists Sstate funeral for a late groups in Australia, such as scheduling or uniform Others argue that the would have it (since most of premier, John Cain, I saw Christianity, Islam, Judaism, requirements. piecemeal approach to those with power are adherents little evidence of any need Hinduism and Buddhism. Also exempt from the discrimination law leads of a monotheistic faith). for laws to protect religious It seems also intended to new laws are measures to uncertainty and Whatever your view, freedom. The congregation, include smaller and emerging collectively known as “the inconsistency. Most recently, Anglicans need to take a real which included the governor, faith traditions, as well as inherent requirements of senior government members interest in the outcome of the the current premier and Indigenous spirituality. work.” Obvious examples are have advocated for wholesale public discourse. representatives of government Religious activity includes advertisements for chaplains reform to and codification of at all levels, lustily sang religious observances, such to hold particular beliefs, or all discrimination legislation. Mark Woods is a Cecil Spring Rice’s I Vow to as prayer, fasting, ceremonies caterers to a clientele of a Of course, this has been Gippsland lawyer, member Thee My Country, led by the and religious holidays, as particular faith insisting on mooted before, and although of the Synod of this diocese majestic organ at St Paul’s well as teaching, evangelising food preparers or handlers while supported by the Law and, among a variety of Cathedral in Melbourne. and proselytising where the being of that faith. Council of Australia was first roles, is chair of the Access The Anglican Primate was message or its implementation Similarly, religious adopted and then abandoned to Justice Committee of listened to intently. The is not prohibited by the hospitals, aged care by the Labor Party in the the International Bar religious (or at least criminal law. Arguably, facilities and accommodation last decade. Association. The views Christianity) hardly seemed religious activity may also providers (including religious A view of the need for expressed are his own. in need of protection at all. include the wearing of camps and conference sites) Indeed, it was easy to religious dress, hairstyle are specifically allowed to forget that, to the question or body art, or engaging or make decisions in certain on religious belief at the last not engaging in particular areas of public life consistent census, ‘no religion’ almost conduct (such as eating meat with their faith. These include topped the poll on a ‘first or drinking alcohol). employment and partnerships, past the post’ basis. But does The proposed laws prohibit but not the provision of the shrinking popularity both direct discrimination services. In other words, they of holding faith mean that – where a person is treated can discriminate on the basis believers need the protection less favourably than someone of employing staff, but not of the civil law to maintain, in similar circumstances, denying the services it offers practise and propound because of that person’s to the person seeking those their beliefs? religious belief or activity. services on the basis of that Modern Australia has Indirect discrimination – person’s religious beliefs. become used to laws designed where a condition or decision Finally, the laws are to protect citizens against that has no connection with designed to ensure the discrimination. The second religion at all has the effect ability of people to express half of the 20th century of disadvantaging people their religious beliefs or saw both state and federal who hold a religious belief lack of them. The making governments introduce laws or participate in a religious of an otherwise lawful to prohibit discrimination activity – is also prohibited. statement does not constitute against citizens on the basis The flip side of the discrimination under any of their age, gender, sexual legislative coin is enshrining anti-discrimination law of orientation and race. the right of religious bodies any parliament in Australia. In essence, if you have to continue to engage in Administratively, the been discriminated against lawful conduct which can laws will repose the powers in an area of public life or be reasonably assessed as of enforcement temporary activity, then you may seek consistent with the doctrines, exemption and complaint redress of the law. Public life tenets, beliefs or teachings handling in the Australian as a legal concept includes they hold. Human Rights Commission, employment, education, Religious bodies are and establish an Office of accommodation, health, essentially religious institut- the Religious Discrimination access to commercial goods ions, such as churches, Commissioner. The or services, membership of mosques and synagogues; all incumbent will take clubs and so on. forms of religious education, their place alongside the Earlier this year, the federal such as religious schools and roles of the age, race government released the universities; and religious and sex discrimination second exposure draft of its public benevolent institutions, commissioners. suite of legislation designed to such as Anglicare. The term Of course, the proposed reform the law by protecting does not include bodies that laws have been loudly religious freedoms. The are motivated by religion, criticised – even in the short proposal has drawn a variety but are primarily engaged in time since the release of of views, and the exposure commercial activity. the second exposure drafts. draft itself attracted more Further exemptions Criticism from bodies such than 6000 submissions during from the new laws include as the Australian Christian the consultation process. beneficial measures designed Alliance that religious The government’s stated to meet a need or reduce freedoms are insufficiently intention in putting forward disadvantage that the protected are matched with these measures was to “make government says aligns with equal vehemence from groups it unlawful to discriminate on the concept of legitimate such as Equality Australia that

March 2020 The Gippsland Anglican Page 9 Ecumenical and interfaith TGA

I celebrate the festival of Holi by serving the Saints (Lord). I am imbued with the deep crimson colour of the Lord’s Divine Love. Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji

Observed by: Hindus, Observance in Australia: Sikhs, Newar Buddhists, Public celebrations are some Jains. held in many Australian cities. The Melbourne Holi Also known as: Festival of Festival 2020 happens Spring, Festival of Colours, on 7 March at Federation Festival of Love. Square. Begins: Evening of full moon in Hindu calendar Did you know? Hola month of Phalguna Mohalla is a Sikh festival (mid-March). established by the tenth Sikh Guru, Sri Guru Cultural rituals: Bonfires, Photo: Abhijit Kar Gupta Gobind Singh Ji, in the early throwing coloured powder, 18th century as a gathering dancing, eating special for military training. It was foods. later combined with the Holi – festival of colour, Significance: Celebration rituals and celebrations of spring and agriculture, of Holi and is now renewing and repairing celebrated on the day spring and love relationships. after Holi.

very different perspectives of Then individuals and events but they were eerily representatives of various East Gippsland bushfires: similar and equally moving groups were invited to pin a in their declaration of faith symbolic red heart to fabric and trust in God in the face draped on the cross. an ecumenical response of terror. After the lighting of the After a short silence, three Christ candle, a prayer of and prayers were offered by people for resurrection was offered, Alison Goetz Patrick O’Regan (Catholic are weary and are carrying from different congregations. followed by a brief poem, Let Diocese of Sale) and Bishop heavy burdens and I will give Each prayer had a response us go from here, by Dorothy n 27 January, late on Richard Treloar (Anglican you rest …” from the congregation. McRae-McMahon. Lastly, and a blessedly cool and Diocese of Gippsland). Instead of a reflection The first was “Comfort our more than fittingly, we sang Ocloudy afternoon, Father Michael welcomed or sermon, Brenda and sorrowing, heal our memories, I am Australian. Christians and Christian us and gave the acknowledge- Michelle shared two stories let there be peace, let there be This moving, uplifting leaders from near and far ment of traditional custodians. of Mallacoota. The first was hope.” The second was “Let and inspiring service granted in Gippsland gathered at St The response to the opening the Rev’d Jude Benton’s the hope and love we have been desperately needed comfort Mary’s Catholic Church in sentences, which asked story. Jude is the priest given remain in our hearts” and strength and courage to Bairnsdale. The Christian “Why, Lord?” and confessed in charge of the parish of and the third “Give us faith in continue, not faltering in our ministry team representing our confusion and trembling Croajingalong and she and the ashes of disillusionment, faith. Playing no small part in most denominations in uncertainty spoke what was her husband, Andy, are based strength to cope with the delivering said strength were Bairnsdale had convened and in every heart: “Where are in Mallacoota. The second tasks of the day and courage the wonderful volunteers of planned an ecumenical service you, loving God? Come to was that of Rowena Harris, to face the uncertainties of both Rotary and Lions clubs and get-together after the east us now and weep with us as the remote area chaplain with the future.” And at the end, a who provided and cooked a Gippsland bushfires. we face the harsh realities of the Uniting Church’s Frontier resounding Amen. hearty barbecue dinner for In February, ecumenical this time.” Services, who is based at The names of the five the convivial, after-service community gatherings were After the symbolic lifting Swifts Creek. Rowena was who lost their lives in gathering on the forecourt of held in Buchan and at and placement of a bowl visiting family and friends the bushfires were read St Mary’s. From there we went Bruthen. The Bairnsdale team of water representing our in the area for a well-earned aloud with a single gong in peace to love and serve included Father Michael tears on a table next to the rest. Their stories offered sounding after each name. the Lord. Willemsen and Michelle cross, we joined in song. It Grimsted (St Mary’s Catholic was a familiar hymn written Church), the Ven Brenda by Robin Mann and based Burney (now Archdeacon, on Isaiah chapter 40. The Anglican Parish of first half of each verse is a Bairnsdale), Captain Claire lament, the second half God’s Jones and Major Pat Wilhem promise of action. The refrain (Salvation Army), the Rev’d is “Comfort, comfort all my Phyllis Andy (Aboriginal people …” Robin had, almost priest, east Gippsland), Geoff overnight, rewritten the Peglar (Baptist Church), verses to reflect the tragedy Pastors Shannon and Bec and loss of the bushfires. Riley (Riviera Christian The scripture readings Centre), Marilyn Cassidy were equally appropriate and (Uniting Church) and Pastor consoling: Psalm 46:1-5, “God Lex Raiment (Redgum is our refuge and our strength Church). We were blessed with …”, and Matthew 11:28-30, the presence of both Bishop “Come to me, all you that The Christian ministry team at St Mary's Catholic Church in Bairnsdale

Page 10 The Gippsland Anglican March 2020 TGA Sunday to everyday Scripture and the social Love of money: what scripture says Proverbs 13:11 Dishonest money dwindles away, but whoever gathers issue of ‘pokies’ money little by little makes it grow.

Just one more spin … for one more win … I lose … I am doing the Proverbs 22:16 walk of shame now … broke again … I wish these machines weren’t Whoever oppresses the poor for his own increase and on every corner, in every pub … How are they legal? whoever gives to the rich, both come to poverty. ‘Pokie addict’ interviewed by the Sydney Morning Herald, 26 April 2018 Matthew 6:24 Rev’d Tracy Lauersen society due to their addiction. machine venues operating No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the Their families suffer through 238 poker machines. Last one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one a loss of finances and year, these machines took and despise the other. You cannot serve both God n July last year, Ellinbank through the effect of mental more than $16.4 million and money. Football and Netball illness on the family. from the community in Baw Club applied to put 52 This is often the result of Baw and from the families I Mark 4:19 poker machines into a local factors extending beyond of gamblers. Currently, Warragul restaurant. We at an individual’s control, and more than $47,000 per day is … but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth St Paul’s in Warragul and a is also often the source spent on poker machines in and the desires for other things come in and choke the number of other concerned of conflicting opinions this shire. churches and individuals in on the grounds of Throughout the state, 2.6 word, making it unfruitful. our community wrote in what is perceived as billion dollars is gambled objection to the application. morally correct or incorrect. away on an annual basis. Proverbs 23:4-5 We prayed that the application A 2017 study commissioned Since their legalisation in Do not wear yourself out to get rich; do not trust your would not be successful. by the Victorian Responsible 1992, poker machines have own cleverness. Cast but a glance at riches, and they In September, Ellinbank Gambling Foundation found been responsible for $64.6 Football and Netball Club that 41% of people seeking billion dollars in losses are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off withdrew their application. treatment for mental illness in Victoria, according to to the sky like an eagle. Electronic gaming gamble. Of the people who Responsible Gambling machines, or ‘poker gambled, over 50% gambled Victoria. Any profit made Ecclesiastes 5:10 machines’, are a social on poker machines. The from the machines is Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever problem because they prevalence of problem made at the expense of influence so many gambling among people who the wellbeing of members of loves wealth is never satisfied with their income. individuals. According are seeking treatment for our community, particularly This too is meaningless. to the Victorian Local a mental health problem is those who are vulnerable. Governance Association, eight times higher than in the Poker machines are a Proverbs 11:4 about 70% of Victorians general population. social problem because they Wealth is worthless in the day of wrath, but gamble and a significant Poker machines take are not just about an portion of them will suffer enormous amounts of money individual’s choice to righteousness delivers from death. harm and addiction as a from their users and from play with money. Poker result of their gambling. the broader community. machines are designed to 1 Timothy 6:6-12 They suffer harm to their According to the Victorian take money in a way that But godliness with contentment is great gain. … People finances and to their mental Responsible Gambling removes a great deal of who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and health, as well as their Foundation, Baw Baw Shire personal choice from the capacity to function well in currently has four poker game. The programming into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men of the machines uses into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a neuro-science along with root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, attractive images and have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves joyful sounds to release with many griefs. happy feelings in the brain of the player, who wants 1 Timothy 6:17-19 to tap the machine again and again for another little Instruct those who are rich in this present world not ‘rush of happiness’. to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty Scripture does not of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all comment explicitly on things to enjoy. Instruct them to do good, to be rich in gambling, but it is explicit good works, to be generous and ready to share, storing in many places about money, up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the love of money and the temptations that love the future, so that they may take hold of that which is creates. Money itself is life indeed. a neutral thing, and our society uses money to bring about trans- The best way to minimise I would like to thank actions between people, harm from this social Michael and Louise Sterling organisations, companies, problem would be to halt for encouraging Parish charities and so on. Money the use of poker machines in Council to step up and to is not an evil, but scripture our communities. Until that object and I commend them teaches that the love of happens, we can minimise for their own advocacy on money leads people into their effect by not visiting this issue. temptation and that the venues that have poker pursuit of money is not machines and by objecting to The Rev’d Tracy Lauersen the way to happiness or any more being placed in is Rector at St Paul’s, to righteousness. our community. Warragul.

March 2020 The Gippsland Anglican Page 11 Literature and learning

The Destiny & Passion of Diocesan calendar March

Philip Nigel Warrington Strong 8 11.45 am: Blessing of the Fleet, By Jonathan Holland Port Albert slip jetty Lakeside Publishing, 2019 13, 20, 27 10 am – 1 pm: Fridays in Lent at the Abbey, 1–25 First Pde, Raymond Island. Review by The Anglican 10 am – morning prayer, 10.30 am – time to Ivan Francis Head Board of Mission relax, reflect, pray, plant, enjoy the Abbey, was the background 12 noon – share a lunch provided. 5156 6580, to much of Strong’s [email protected] his book explores the work and is still life of Philip Strong, working today in 25 11 am: Mothers’ Union celebration of Lady Ta major Christian partnership with Day. Eucharist and after-lunch speaker figure in 20th-century Papua the autonomous Bishop Richard. St Paul’s Cathedral, New Guinean, Queensland Anglican Church Cunninghame St, Sale. 5611 0326, and wider Australian life. of PNG. Holland’s [email protected] Part 1 (1899–1936) covers book shows that the 29 10.30 am Holy Communion, Christ Church, Strong’s life in England personal trajectory Tarraville, with Bishop Richard from birth to consecration taken by Philip as Bishop for British New Strong was a key Guinea. Strong was ordained part of that fruitful April a priest in 1923 after war story, from Copland 3 10 am – 1 pm: Fridays in Lent at the Abbey service in France and made King and Albert (see March entry) bishop in 1936. Part 2 covers McLaren (1891) to his 26 years as a missionary the present. 7 11 am: The Chrism Eucharist and renewal bishop in Papua and includes of World War 1) were part This book holds a mirror of ministry vows, St Paul’s Cathedral, World War 2 and the of Australia and the British to the Anglican Church Cunninghame St, Sale Japanese conflict, and the Empire. It covers the costly of Australia today and 9–13 Easter retreat at the Abbey, 1–25 First Pde, catastrophic eruption of Mt World War 2 years and the its capacity to renew and Raymond Island. Edie Ashley (0423 400 359, Lamington in 1951. Part 3 decades before the transfer refresh itself from primary [email protected]) covers Strong’s eight years of powers to an independent sources, and to announce as Archbishop of Brisbane. PNG in 1975. It covers the and embody a gospel as 10 3 pm: Stations of the Cross using Gippsland He was Primate of the war’s brutal cost, including compelling as the one artist Pat Waters’ remarkable paintings. Anglican Church of Australia the deaths of Anglican Strong lived by, and to be a St Thomas’ Bunyip, 16 A’Beckett Rd, Bunyip from 1966. missionaries in PNG at church as credible as the one 19 2 pm: 10th Bunyip Lecture – Joy Cullen from Strong was both a the hands of the Japanese he served. Mornington to speak about pioneer Gippsland gentleman and an autocrat in military, their reception as priest George Cox. St Thomas’ Bunyip, the Anglo-Catholic domain. martyrs, and the serious and Dr Ivan Head is the Gifts 16 A’Beckett Rd, Bunyip The book explores that personal conflicts over whether in Wills Officer, Anglican tension between consultation Strong erred by permitting or Board of Mission, and was 27–30 Clergy conference, the Abbey, and autocracy, the theme encouraging missionaries to Warden of St Paul’s College 1–25 First Pde, Raymond Island as old as St Benedict. stay in the conflict zones. The in the University of Sydney Bishop Holland explores book should be paired with and of Christ College May this theme across Strong’s Strong’s diaries, particularly in the University of ministry. Strong defended those covering the World Tasmania for 27 years. 15–17 Renew Conference, Phillip Island Adventure the prerogative of the Bishop War 2 years. Resort, Cowes. Bringing young adults and families over committees. The deadly together to explore fresh ways of doing ‘church’. Holland’s description eruption of Mt $120 per head. All meals and share accommodation of Strong’s seven years in Lamington in 1951 included. Alisha Moyle ([email protected]) Brisbane and as Primate is described, as is or David Perryman ([email protected]) indicates that the national Strong’s decision to church has always had make George Ambo 15–17 Synod, Phillip Island Adventure Resort, Cowes divisions and conflicts. He a bishop as part 30 10 am – 3 pm: Bunyip Quiet Day with depicts Strong as an older- of the momentum Carol O’Connor from St Peter’s Eastern Hill. world traditionalist in the towards a fully Learn about Evelyn Underhill, writer, retreat leader, faster flowing stream of independent PNG Anglican trail-blazer and woman of passion. modernity, a modernity that church. BYO lunch. Offering of $10 if possible. he did not endorse. The new- We are also St Thomas’ Bunyip, 16 A’Beckett Rd, Bunyip fangled world of television, reminded that our for instance, meant that church was a then- The Forsyte Saga went head dominant social to head with Sunday form of Australian Evensong and rated more life; a civil matrix. highly. He shows “where the Immense global Diocese really was in the change runs from nineteen-sixties.” 1885 through the Holland’s book reminds world wars and into us that there was a time the present. The when Papua and the Man- book provides one dated Territories (German clearly signed path controlled until the close across those years.

Page 12 The Gippsland Anglican March 2020