A VISION OF UNITY

Centenary of theBahá'í Faith in Australia 1920 - 2020 THE ORIGINS OF THE AUSTRALIAN

BAHÁ'Í COMMUNITY The Australian Bahá'í Community is celebrating its centenary. Since the first Bahá'ís arrived in Australia in 1920, our community has embraced people from all backgrounds and walks of life in cities, towns and rural areas across the country. Bahá’ís are inspired by the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh, the Prophet-Founder of the Bahá’í Faith, to build unity between all the people of the world, believing that all human beings are created noble and equal, and are guided The Australian Bahá'í community was established by John Henry Hyde by one God who has revealed Dunn (1855-1941) and Clara Dunn (1869-1960), who arrived in Sydney on His religion to humanity on the steamship S.S. Sonoma from the United States on 10 April 1920. over time through successive Hyde Dunn was an Englishman who had emigrated to the United States. divine messengers known as Clara Dunn was born in London to Irish parents and raised in Canada. They Manifestations of God. married in 1917, late in life, after their first partners had passed away. Both Hyde and Clara Dunn had embraced the Bahá'í Faith in the United States in the early years of the twentieth century. They both met ‘Abdu’l- Bahá, then head of the Bahá'í Faith, in San Francisco during His historic visit to the United States and Canada in 1912. He made an impact on them that lasted for the rest of their lives. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are advised that this brochure contains the names and images of people who have passed away.

2 3 ARRIVAL IN AUSTRALIA CLARA DUNN The Dunns were inspired Clara Dunn often accompanied rendered, and are still rendering, by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá to travel her husband in his travels, hosting to the Faith, are engraved upon across the world to establish guests and giving public talks the tablet of my heart. Nothing the Bahá'í community in herself. She also engaged in charity can efface their trace or dim their work. memory.” Australia. He supported Clara Dunn combined a charitable Following the passing of Hyde their decision to move to this nature with a gentle but Dunn in 1941, Clara continued country, writing to them determined manner. She had a to serve the growing Bahá'í following their arrival: great sense of compassion and community with great vigour, often used her nursing skills to care travelling frequently to visit and for others. Friends described her encourage Bahá'ís across the as warm, humble but self-assured, country. graceful, serene, and fun-loving. This journey is pregnant salesman for the Bacchus Marsh Both Clara and Hyde Dunn were “ Milk Company, soon acquired by In 1932 she travelled to the Holy with greater prosperity, designated , the Nestle. His work took him across Land on pilgrimage, where she met highest honour that could be given because great results the country, travelling mainly by , with whom she and to an individual Bahá'í, in 1952. will issue therefrom. train, and by 1923 he had visited her husband had corresponded At present it is full of 225 towns. He worked for Nestle for regularly for a decade. On her Clara Dunn made her final visit to the Holy Land in 1957, in her late hardship, but later nearly 12 years, travelling to every return, Shoghi Effendi wrote: “The state and major city and town in services which both of you have eighties, to attend the gathering of on favour, comfort Australia. the Hands of the Cause following and happiness will be the passing of Shoghi Effendi. The bestowed. An engaging speaker who never following year, she played a key role ” lost his English accent, he spoke in the foundation ceremony of the about the Bahá'í teachings Bahá'í House of Worship in Sydney, wherever he went: in churches, the city where she and her husband At the time of their arrival, Hyde at events organised by social and had once lived as the only two was aged 65 and Clara 51. They had philosophical movements, and in Bahá'ís on the continent. little financial means, and knew private homes. He had a friendly no one in Australia. The qualities disposition and a distinguished, She passed away in 1960 at the age of courage, faith, persistence and upright appearance. of 91. She was buried alongside her audacity sustained them. husband at Woronora Memorial He was described by Shoghi Park in Sutherland, Sydney. Establishing a livelihood in a new Effendi, who had been appointed country and at such an age was the Guardian and head of the To the community they founded, no easy task. Initially Clara took Bahá'í Faith following the passing they will always be remembered as secretarial work until Hyde Dunn of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in 1921, as “great- “Mother and Father Dunn”. found employment as a travelling hearted and heroic”.

4 5 EARLY AUSTRALIAN BAHÁ'ÍS

The teachings of Bahá'u'lláh conveyed by Hyde and Clara Dunn found a ready audience among those searching for spiritual alternatives in the wake of the horrors of the Great War. Many early Australian Bahá'ís heard about the Bahá'í Faith at gatherings of the New Thought movement, the Theosophical Society, and at similar settings.

FIRST AUSTRALIAN BAHÁ'Í

The first Australian to join the Bahá'í One of his fellow members Faith was Oswald Whitaker, an wrote: “He had a rare gift of Sydney Bahá'ís including Oswald Whitaker (standing, far left) with visiting optometrist, who met Hyde Dunn friendship, constant and deep, American Bahá'í speaker Keith Ransom-Kehler (front centre), 1931 during a business trip to Lismore. which communicated itself, even Given some Bahá'í sacred writings to strangers, as a benediction of Invited by Shoghi Effendi to Effie Baker returned to Australia in to read, he responded, “every line is goodwill. He never spared himself extend her visit, she remained in 1936, and later moved to a small flat an evidence of truth”. when duty called or the opportunity for 11 years, assisting with at the Bahá'í national headquarters of extending a helping hand photographic work and serving at Paddington, Sydney, once again Oswald Whitaker’s home in Sydney presented itself.” as hostess of the Western Pilgrim acting as hostess and taking care hosted many Bahá'í gatherings and House and the first keeper of the of archives. She passed away in visitors. He served as a member of Bahá'í International Archives. 1968 and is buried in Mona Vale the Bahá'í national governing body, EFFIE BAKER Cemetery. including as Vice Chairperson, from In 1930-31 she travelled for 1934 up to his passing in 1942. eight months in Persia to make a The second person, and the first photographic record of sites and Australian woman to become a relics associated with the origins of Bahá'í, was Euphemia (Effie) Baker the Bahá'í Faith. from Goldsborough, Victoria. She often had to take photographs She met Clara and Hyde Dunn and veiled in a cloak, and develop them became a Bahá'í in Melbourne in overnight in a makeshift darkroom, 1922. Fellow Victorian Ruby Beaver before moving on to the next became a Bahá'í soon after. destination.

A pioneering female photographer, Her photographs were published Effie Baker travelled to the Holy shortly thereafter to illustrate The Land on pilgrimage in 1925, Dawn-Breakers: Nabil’s Narrative together with the first Bahá'í of the Early Days of the Bahá'í pilgrims from New Zealand. Revelation. Oswald Whitaker Effie Baker

6 7 SOME OTHER EARLY AUSTRALIAN BAHÁ'ÍS

Collis Featherstone with his family, 1957 Clara Dunn (seated on chair second from right) PERCY AND MAYSIE ALMOND GRETTA LAMPRILL with Bahá'ís at Yerrinbool Bahá'í School, 1950s The first South Australian Bahá'ís were Tasmanian nurse Gretta Lamprill Percy and Maysie Almond, who heard became a Bahá'í early in 1924, after COLLIS FEATHERSTONE Hyde Dunn speaking in Adelaide in hearing a talk by Hyde Dunn in Hobart. 1923. After hearing his talk, Percy She later recalled: “Then and there, with Another outstanding early Australian turned to his wife and said: “This is it.” the whole of my inner and outer being, Bahá'í was H. Collis Featherstone, an I dedicated my life to Bahá’u’lláh and Adelaide engineer who joined the They had found teachings that the Bahá'í Faith.” Bahá'í Faith in 1944. answered their questions, and embarked upon a lifetime of service to For many years the only Tasmanian Elected to the Bahá'í national Australian society through the Bahá'í Bahá'í, she helped establish the first governing body in 1949, he served community that continued into the local Bahá'í governing body in Hobart the Bahá'í community in Australia 1960s. in 1949 and served as its inaugural and overseas with great physical and secretary. spiritual energy. Percy and Maysie helped establish the first local Bahá'í governing body in From 1942 Gretta served as a member He and his wife, Madge, met Shoghi Adelaide in December 1924. of the national Bahá'í governing body. Effendi during their pilgrimage to the In 1953, she was among five of its Holy Land in 1953. They contributed to the growth of the members who left Australia to help Bahá'í community in many localities establish Bahá'í communities in the In 1957 he became the only including Melbourne, Bowral, Murray Pacific. Australian-born Bahá'í to be Bridge and Burnside. designated a Hand of the Cause. She and Gladys Parke took the Bahá'í In this capacity he travelled to all Percy Almond was elected as a Faith to the Society Islands (now French continents to visit and encourage member of the first Bahá'í national Polynesia), returning to Tasmania Bahá'í communities across the span Hyde and Clara Dunn (seated on chairs) with governing body, on which he served permanently only after a Bahá'í local of more than four decades. He passed Mariette and Stanley W. Bolton and family, who from 1934 to 1937. governing body was established in Tahiti. away in Kathmandu in 1992. became Bahá'ís in Sydney in 1931

8 9 BAHÁ'Í INSTITUTIONS

The affairs of the Bahá'í Community are governed by community members through elected bodies known as Spiritual Assemblies. There is no clergy. A nine-member Local can be formed in any locality where nine or more adult Bahá'ís reside, with its membership elected annually by the community.

The first Bahá'í Spiritual Assembly in Australia was formed in Melbourne in December 1923, followed by Perth in July 1924 and Adelaide in December 1924. The Spiritual Assembly of Sydney Bahá'ís gathered at National Convention outside the national headquarters at 2 Lang Road, was formed in 1925. The first Spiritual NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY Paddington, 1954 Assemblies in Hobart and Brisbane were formed in 1949, after the Second In 1934, the Bahá’í community held Margaret Stevenson and Oswald A separate National Assembly for World War. its first national convention where Whitaker. Adelaide-based Hilda New Zealand was formed in 1957. it formed its first national governing Brooks served as the National The early Bahá’í Assemblies or body, the National Spiritual Assembly Secretary for the first ten years. The establishment of legal groups held public meetings, printed of the Bahá’ís of Australia and New recognition for a non-Christian newsletters, presented the Bahá’í Zealand. Formed in the same year as Due to distance and the cost and religion was a challenge that had message to public officials, and the National Assembly of Persia, it was difficulty of travel, the members to be overcome. met in person only once a year, consulted on the administrative affairs among the first eight Bahá’í National Legal incorporation of Bahá'í of a growing community. Assemblies in the world. consulting between meetings by correspondence. This made the institutions began with the Local The convention took Secretary’s role an arduous one. Assembly of Adelaide in 1934, and place at the Bahá'í Room had extended to 19 Local Assemblies at 114 Hunter Street, NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS by 1963. The acquisition of legal Sydney. There were three recognition and protection allowed delegates each from In 1944 the National Assembly Assemblies to hold title to property, Adelaide, Sydney and acquired its first national headquarters and facilitated recognition of Auckland. The members at 2 Lang Road, Paddington. In the Bahá'í marriage ceremonies, burial elected to the first National 1940s and 1950s, the position of procedures, and holy days. Assembly were Percy National Secretary was occupied Almond, Ethel Blundell, by Dulcie Dive, Mariette Bolton, In 2020 there are 172 Local Spiritual Hilda Brooks, Robert James Heggie and Noel Walker, each Assemblies, with Bahá'ís residing Brown, Hyde Dunn, Silver bringing different energy and talents in 350 local government areas Jackman, Charlotte Moffitt, to the role. throughout the country.

10 11 EQUALITY OF WOMEN AND MEN

The Bahá'í teachings uphold the The leadership of women was equality of women and men. reflected in the membership of the Bahá'í institutions. Bahá’u’lláh, the Prophet-Founder of the Bahá'í Faith, wrote, “women and Women formed the majority of men have been and will always be members of the national governing equal in the sight of God.” body for the first fifteen years from its establishment in 1934, making His son and successor, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, the Bahá'í community a rarity among Travelling American Bahá'í journalist, Martha Root, with Bahá'ís in Melbourne c. 1924. Copyright © Bahá'í International Community emphasised equality between Australian religious communities at men and women as a fundamental the time, and even today. Over time, principle of the Bahá'í Faith. the numbers of male and female PROFILE OF AN AUSTRALIAN BAHÁ'Í WOMAN He supported women’s suffrage, Bahá'ís became more balanced. and highlighted the importance of Since its formation in 1934, a total As a young woman, Thelma Perks people appointed to serve as inaugural the education of girls, noting that of 46 women and 56 men have travelled extensively in Europe and Counsellor for Australasia, alongside where a family could not afford served as members of the National North America. She first came upon Howard Harwood and Suhayl Ala’i. In to fully educate all of its children, Assembly. the Bahá'í Faith while on a ship sailing this capacity she continued to travel to London, and later met notable and speak extensively in Australia, priority should be given to the The Australian Bahá'í Community has early American Bahá'ís in New York. Asia and the Pacific until 1980. She is daughters . continued to be a strong advocate After joining the Australian Bahá'í remembered as a dignified, cheerful for the advancement of women in community in 1947, she became and gracious soul who led by example. Australian society, including as an LEADING ROLE OF WOMEN a travel companion and devoted active member of national women’s assistant to Clara Dunn, criss-crossing Upon her passing in 1988, the Universal alliances and networks. Women played a leading role in the Australia to visit Bahá'ís in every state. House of Justice, the international Australian Bahá'í community from its governing body of the Bahá'í Faith, beginnings. In the early years more Elected as a member of the National wrote that her “outstanding services women than men joined the Bahá'í Assembly in 1954, she was appointed for the promotion of the Faith in Faith in Australia. in the same year, together with Collis Australasia will long be remembered”. Featherstone, as one of the first two Outstanding early Australian Bahá'í members of the Auxiliary Board, women included Hilda Brooks, whose role was to advise and assist Silver Jackman, Ethel Dawe, Leila local communities. She continued to Clark, Bertha Dobbins and Rose serve concurrently as a member of the Hawthorne in Adelaide; Effie Baker, National Assembly until 1963, while Margaret Dixson and Eleanor also shouldering many administrative Wheeler in Melbourne; Jane Routh, responsibilities. Charlotte Moffitt, Margaret Rowling and Mariette Bolton in Sydney; and When the institution of the Continental Gretta Lamprill and Gladys Parke in Hilda Brooks, the first Secretary of Board of Counsellors was formed in Thelma Perks (right) with Collis Featherstone Hobart. the National Spiritual Assembly 1968, Thelma Perks was one of three and Clara Dunn

12 13 ILLUSTRATED TIMELINE

1920s 1930s - 1950s 1960s - 1980s 1990s - 2020

1934: The first National 1961: The Bahá'í House of 1990s: The training institute Spiritual Assembly of the Worship for Australasia is begins developing individual Bahá'ís of Australia and New opened in Ingleside, NSW capacity for service, setting Zealand is formed in train a new process of community building 1938: First national Bahá'í 1960s-1970s: Influx of new 1999: Bahá’í Centre in the summer school is held at young Bahá'ís attracted to the national capital is officially Yerrinbool Faith’s teachings opened by Governor-General Sir William Deane. Other Bahá’í Centres follow 10 APRIL 1920: John Henry 1944: The first national Hyde Dunn and Clara Dunn headquarters is acquired at arrive in Australia 2 Lang Road, Paddington

1922: The first Australian, Oswald Whitaker, becomes a Bahá'í, followed by Euphemia (Effie) Baker and Ruby Beaver 1980s: Bahá'í Special Religious 2009: More than 5000 people 1923: The first Local Spiritual Education classes begin in attend the Australian Bahá’í Assembly is formed in public schools in New South community’s biggest-ever gathering at Darling Harbour Melbourne Wales, followed by other states Convention Centre, Sydney

1924: Local Spiritual 1950s: Australian Bahá'ís assist 1982: Bahá’ís fleeing persecution 2017- 2019: Bicentenaries of Assemblies formed in Perth the development of Bahá'í in Iran start arriving in Australia the Births of Bahá’u’lláh and the and Adelaide communities throughout the under the special humanitarian Báb celebrated in the Federal Pacific program, adding to the diversity Parliament and capacity of the community 1925: The first Bahá'í pilgrims 1957: New Zealand forms 1986: Peace Expo held in the 2020: Centenary of the Bahá'í travel from Australia and New a separate National Spiritual grounds of the Bahá'í House of Faith in Australia Zealand to the Holy Land Assembly Worship. Australian Bahá'í community receives Peace Messenger award 14 15 A COMMUNITY BAHÁ'ÍS FROM IRAN Following the widespread persecution OF UNITY IN DIVERSITY of Bahá'ís after the 1979 revolution in Iran, several thousand Iranian Bahá'ís The oneness of humanity is a core OVERCOMING PREJUDICE entered Australia under a special teaching of the Bahá'í Faith. humanitarian assistance program The Bahá'í teachings on equality and established in 1982. The Australian The Bahá'í scriptures say: the oneness of humanity have inspired Bahá'í community worked together “Know ye not why We created Australian Bahá'ís to overcome the with the Federal government to assist you all from the same dust? That racial and religious prejudices of their settlement in cities and regional no one should exalt himself over their time. In response to a question areas throughout Australia. the other … Since We have created about the White Australia policy from Uncle Fred Murray with Collis Featherstone an Australian Bahá'í, a letter written The influx of Bahá’ís from Iran, the you all from one same substance on behalf of Shoghi Effendi in 1925 birthplace of the Bahá’í Faith, added it is incumbent on you to be even observed: “ It is clear that this policy of INDIGENOUS BAHÁ'ÍS greatly to the richness and capacity as one soul, to walk with the same of the Australian community. rigid exclusion … finds no justification The first Aboriginal and Torres Strait Their settlement, integration and feet, eat with the same mouth and in the Bahá'í Teachings.” It went on Islander Bahá'ís joined the Bahá'í contribution to Australian life has dwell in the same land.” to emphasise the importance of the community in the 1950s, especially been a success story of the Australian elimination of all racial and national in South Australia and the Northern The Australian Bahá'í community immigration program. prejudices and of universal education Territory. In 1963, Uncle Fred Murray has sought over the past century to for all people. of the Mirning people of Western The Australian Senate adopted live up to the Bahá'í ideal of unity Australia was a speaker at the first a resolution condemning the in diversity. Today the community While most early Australian Bahá'ís World Congress of the Bahá'í Faith, persecution of the Bahá'ís in 1981, the comprises members from all parts of were of Christian heritage, some came held at the Royal Albert Hall in London. first in a long series of parliamentary the globe, including European, Asian, from Jewish backgrounds. He and fellow Bahá'í Howard Harwood resolutions on that topic that continue African, North and South American, The Australian Bahá'í community grew collaborated to produce a pamphlet until today. Various Australian Foreign and Pacific Island nations. more diverse as a result of the post- telling Uncle Fred’s life story in his own Ministers, State Parliaments, and war migration program and the lifting words, hoping this would increase individual MPs have continued to call of the White Australia policy. understanding and contribute towards for an end to the persecution. reconciliation between Aboriginal and The first Muslims to become Bahá'ís non-Aboriginal people. in Australia were Frank and Bibi Khan, originally from the Punjab, in 1948. In 1967 Queenslander Elizabeth Frank Khan later served as a member Hindson, then known as Betty of the National Spiritual Assembly, as Anderson, became the first Aboriginal did their son, Peter, and daughter, Joy. person elected to serve as a member Dr Peter Khan served as a member of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Universal House of Justice, the of the Bahá'ís of Australia. She too Bahá'ís and friends in Warrnambool, international Bahá'í governing body, had attended the World Congress in Participants during a peace camp, Penguin Victoria, 1970s from 1987 to 2010. London four years earlier. Island 1985

16 17 SPIRITUAL LIFE " An edifice or temple is to be built in order that humanity might find Fostering spiritual life and personal BAHÁ'Í HOUSE OF WORSHIP a place of meeting, and this is to be conducive to unity and fellowship transformation has been a key among them. concern of the Australian Bahá'í Construction of the House of Worship " — 'Abdu'l-Bahá community from its earliest years. Early began in 1957. John Brogan was Bahá'ís came together in devotional appointed as the architect, based on gatherings in one another’s homes a supplied design. Built before the and small venues, drawing on the Sydney Opera House, the House of prayers revealed in the Bahá'í sacred Worship was a challenge to construct writings. They also celebrated the nine because builders were used to Bahá'í holy days which occur every rectangular structures, not a nine-sided year. building with a 34 metre dome. There being no cranes tall enough in Sydney A site was purchased for a future at the time, a helicopter was used to Bahá’í House of Worship at Ingleside, put the crown of the dome in place, overlooking the northern beaches attracting widespread media attention. of Sydney, in the early 1950s. Construction was brought forward The House of Worship was dedicated at the request of Shoghi Effendi, in 1961 by Ruhiyyih Khanum, the Guardian of the Bahá’í Faith, when widow of Shoghi Effendi. On 18 September 1961 the Daily 10,000 visitors. The Australian Bahá'í plans to build a House of Worship in Telegraph reported that 100 visitors Community was the recipient of one Tehran were impeded by a revival of The Lord Mayor of Sydney held a from 20 countries were among the of just two Peace Messenger awards persecution. This was a formidable reception for international dignitaries 1800 people attending the opening. presented by the United Nations for challenge for an Australian Bahá’í present for the dedication, and press coverage was considerable. Year of Peace activities in Australia. community whose membership During its early years, in a society numbered no more than 500, widely where sectarian divisions remained The House of Worship is dedicated spread across the country. The House deep, the House of Worship was to prayer and spiritual reflection. The of Worship opened in 1961. a symbol of unity that brought human voice is the only instrument together Australians from different used inside, and services are limited As the community grew, permanent denominations and faiths, to reading or singing from the sacred Bahá'í Centres opened in Sydney, foreshadowing the modern interfaith texts from the Bahá'í Faith and other Canberra, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, movement, in which Australian Bahá'ís world religions. There are no lectures Hobart and some regional centres, remain closely involved. or sermons. providing new settings in which public gatherings, educational programs and In the 1970s, the national headquarters The House of Worship, with its service activities could be held. for the Australian Bahá'í community beautiful bush-clad grounds, has was moved from Paddington to its hosted hundreds of thousands In recent years, successive Australian present location in the grounds of the of visitors. Many gatherings, Prime Ministers and Leaders of the House of Worship. festivals, celebrations and service Opposition have addressed messages activities have been held in its to the Australian Bahá'í community for Governor-General of Australia Sir Ninian The “Peace Expo” held in the House of grounds, reflecting the nexus the occasion of the Festival of Ridván, Stephen and Lady Stephen attend a service Worship grounds for the International between worship and service to the the holiest Bahá'í festival of the year. at the House of Worship in 1986 Year of Peace in 1986 attracted community. 18 19 BAHÁ'Í EDUCATION

Early Australian Bahá'ís were keen to find ways to learn more and deepen understanding about their faith.

The desire to explore and articulate Bahá'í viewpoints prompted New Zealand Bahá'í Bertram Dewing to establish the magazine Herald of the South in 1925.

It was one of only a few Bahá'í magazines being produced in the world at the time, the others appearing in India, Germany and the United States. Publication moved to Australia in 1930.

Bahá'í Quarterly, the national news young professionals to contribute Current offerings include camps for Such classes continue to be run journal, was founded in 1936. It to prevalent discourses concerned children and youth, seminars for in neighbourhoods throughout currently appears under the title The with the betterment of society, university students and professionals, Australia today, following a standard Australian Bahá'í. drawing on both science and religion and a range of other short programs curriculum. as two complementary systems of conducted in a retreat-style setting. Bahá'í Publications Australia, the knowledge and practice. From the 1980s, Bahá'í Special national publishing trust, has In 2019 a similar facility was Religious Education or Instruction published Bahá'í scripture as well acquired at Mount Morton in the classes have been conducted in YERRINBOOL BAHÁ'Í SCHOOL as academic, popular and children’s Dandenong Ranges on the outskirts public schools in New South Wales, literature since its establishment in A cornerstone of Bahá'í education of Melbourne. Queensland, Victoria and Western 1975. in Australia has been the Yerrinbool Australia. Bahá'í school in the NSW southern CHILDREN’S EDUCATION From the 1980s, the Association Thousands of Australian children highlands, established on a property for Bahá’í Studies-Australia began have participated in these classes, donated by early Sydney Bahá'ís Bahá'í children’s education began in hosting seminars and conferences which are open to children from all Stanley W. and Mariette Bolton. small home-based settings from the to promote study of the Bahá’í 1930s, often by mothers who used backgrounds, during their school years. Faith and to correlate aspects of It has hosted national Bahá'í summer the limited resources available or its teachings with contemporary schools since 1938, attracting created new ones which they shared thought and issues. international speakers. with others.

Since 2010, the Institute for Studies The property and its facilities have By the early 1950s a national in Global Prosperity has conducted been expanded and improved over children’s education committee was residential seminars to build the decades, and the programs have established to support children’s capacity in university students and broadened in scope. class teachers. 20 21 "

COMMUNITY BUILDING TODAY And the honour and distinction of the individual consist in this,

One hundred years after the arrival systematic means for many people to that he among all the world’s multitudes should become a source of of Hyde and Clara Dunn, their vision explore such questions and to build social good. — 'Abdu'l-Bahá of a community based on values of capacity for service to the community. " love, unity and equality continues to This has set in train a fresh approach to animate the endeavours of Australian community building, now unfolding Bahá’ís. in neighbourhoods and small settings throughout the country, from inner- The Bahá’í community has long city suburbs to the outback, resulting served as a workshop in which many in both individual and collective questions relevant to the progress of transformation. our society have been explored: How can people of diverse backgrounds These community building efforts be brought together in unity? How involve four core elements: devotional can men and women be engaged in gatherings, study circles, children’s activities conducive to their spiritual, classes, and a spiritual empowerment social and intellectual development? program for young teenagers. Anyone How can children be raised free from is welcome to join these endeavours. prejudice towards an illusory “other”? Young people are often at the CHILDREN’S CLASSES How can youth navigate this crucial forefront, impelled by their energy, Children and young people play a with the assistance of older youth, to stage of their lives and be empowered keen sense of justice, and desire to vital role in all facets of community navigate this crucial stage in their lives to direct their energies to the contribute to social progress and the life. They need environments in which and to explore their identity and the advancement of civilisation? construction of a better world. they can meaningfully contribute their social forces in the world around them. talents and capacities towards the Since the 1990s, the introduction of An integral part of the program is the a training institute, popularly known DEVOTIONAL GATHERINGS betterment of the community - not just in the future, but today. initiation of small-scale community as the Ruhi Institute, has provided a service projects through which Devotional gatherings in homes and Children’s classes are designed to help participants respond to needs in their public settings foster the spiritual children to acquire moral qualities or communities, and are empowered to character of the community. All are virtues, such as love, truthfulness and see themselves as positive agents of welcome to enter, offer prayers, justice, and to develop patterns of be inspired by passages from the change. behaviour that lead to a fruitful and sacred scriptures of the world, and to STUDY CIRCLES meditate and reflect. productive life. Study circles provide settings in which Devotional gatherings can help people JUNIOR YOUTH SPIRITUAL people can develop spiritual insights connect with their neighbours to EMPOWERMENT PROGRAM and practical skills for service to the build supportive friendships, thereby community. Through a sequence of strengthening the social fabric of local The junior youth spiritual highly interactive courses, participants Participants in a major youth conference communities. They lead naturally to empowerment program caters to study the Bahá’í Writings together and held in Brisbane in 2013 prepare an discussions on the well-being and teenagers aged 12-15. It provides a reflect on how to apply them in their artwork about community building. flourishing of one’s locality. safe space in which they can learn, individual and collective lives.

22 23 CONTRIBUTION OF THE AUSTRALIAN BAHÁ'Í COMMUNITY

The Australian Bahá’í community has On an individual level, many young made a progressive contribution to Australian Bahá’ís devote a voluntary movements towards peace, human “year of service” to assisting their rights, moral education, elimination fellow citizens in cities, towns and of racism, interfaith dialogue, and rural areas. environmental protection. Often undertaken in partnership with other In their professional lives, Australian groups and individuals, these efforts Bahá’ís have contributed in diverse sometimes take the form of small- fields including law, business, health, scale projects carried out in response academia, public policy, international to local needs. development, sport, media, the arts, and the community sector. Drawing insights from the Bahá’í Writings and experience in applying The Shrine of the Báb. Mount Carmel, Haifa, Israel. them to community life, the Baha’i community also contributes to thought and discussion on subjects CONTRIBUTION TO THE GLOBAL BAHÁ’Í COMMUNITY crucial to the progress of our society such as social cohesion, the equality Following the example set by Effie House of Justice, the international of women and men, the role of the Baker in the 1920s, many Australians governing body of the Bahá’í Faith. media, the role of youth, and the have served as volunteers at the Bahá’í Bahá’ís from Australia have positive part that religion can play in Australian Bahá'í musicians Shidan and Shadi World Centre in Haifa, Israel. assisted the development of Bahá’í the life of our society. Toloui-Wallace perform at the Parliament of the World's Religions, Melbourne, 2009. Australian Bahá’ís have provided communities across the Pacific skills and expertise in a wide range including those in Fiji, Vanuatu, of capacities including research, Tonga, Samoa, Papua New Guinea, “ The values of love, acceptance and unity, as taught by the Báb and Bahá’u’lláh, legal affairs, the development New Caledonia, French Polynesia and are a source of understanding, compassion and purpose that enrich our of administrative systems, and Timor-Leste. In turn, Bahá’ís from these community and help make our multicultural, multi-faith society one of the most the sustainable development of nations have enriched the life of the harmonious on earth. On these special holy occasions, I thank the Australian the spectacular Bahá'í gardens Bahá’í community in Australia. Bahá'í community for your commitment to these ideals and for ensuring our surrounding the Shrine of the Báb on nation remains a beacon for peace, harmony, and acceptance.” Mount Carmel. Australian Bahá’í artists, writers, composers and performers have — The Hon. Scott Morrison MP, Prime Minister of Australia. Two Australian Bahá’ís, Dr. Peter Khan created music and literature that (Message to an event marking the anniversary of the Birth of Bahá’u’lláh and the and Mr. Stephen Hall, have been is much loved by the global Bahá’í Bicentenary of the Birth of the Báb, October 2019). elected as members of the Universal community.

24 25 ABOUT THE BAHÁ'Í FAITH

“ The utterance of God is a lamp, BAHÁ'Í PRINCIPLES whose light is these words: Ye are

the fruits of one tree, and the leaves Bahá’u’lláh’s revelation sets out principles that guide Bahá’ís in their " of one branch. Deal ye one with individual and collective lives, and another with the utmost love and in working towards a more united, peaceful and prosperous world. harmony, with friendliness and Shed the light of a boundless fellowship. He Who is the Daystar These principles include: love on every human being of Truth beareth Me witness! So powerful is the light of unity that it every person has the capacity whom you meet, whether of your and obligation to seek out truth can illuminate the whole earth. country, your race, your political ” and to contribute towards the - Bahá'u'lláh advancement of society party, or of any other nation, women and men are equal The Bahá’í Faith is a religion whose colour or shade of political pivotal teaching is the oneness community decisions should opinion. Heaven will support you of humanity: that we are all equal be made through a consensus- members of a single human based process known as while you work in this ingathering family, who share this planet as our consultation in which all voices of the scattered peoples of the common home. can be heard religion and science are essential world beneath the shadow of the The Prophet-Founder of the Bahá’í and complementary systems of Faith was Bahá’u’lláh (1817-1892). almighty tent of unity. knowledge and practice " He taught that all the world’s unity must lie at the heart of any —‘Abdu’l-Bahá religions stem from the same enduring endeavour for positive divine source and represent the social change. progressive unfoldment of God’s guidance to humanity. The Bahá’í teachings also address the nature and purpose of Revela- The Bahá’í teachings provide high tion, and humanity’s interactions standards for personal conduct and with the natural world. our relationships with one another, based on recognition of the nobility There are more than five million of every human being. Bahá’ís worldwide, who come from all backgrounds and walks of life. Daily prayer and meditation is The Bahá’í Faith is established in encouraged to foster our spiritual virtually every country and territory Copyright © 2020 National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Australia Inc. life and connection to God. across the world. Historical research by Dr Graham Hassall

26 27 www.centenary.bahai.org.au www.bahai.org.au