2014 a good year

...for some?
page 2

New connections
the way forward
page 3

Rwanda
schoolies
page 8
Ross Jacka
painting delight
page 12
!"#
$%&'()*%
Volume 111, Number 1 Feburary 2014 Published in Gippsland Diocese since 1904

Prayer service for
South Sudanese
page 4

Top science award for local students page 10
Theos Mission
LAKES ENTRANCE
by Sandra McMaster
T

!"#$ &' $$' #( was
at Lakes Entrance over
Christmas and New Year,
Ior 11 days and open Ior business
every day and night. Approximately
60 young people gathered each day.
Most oI the Theos team attended the
various churches in town each Sunday
and the churches provided their lunches.
Paul Pallot, co-leader oI the team,
thanked everyone who participated
with the Iollowing comments:
'Thank you Ior your prayerIul
support oI Lakes Entrance Theos over
that period...It`s great to be back at home
refecting on all the great things that
God has done over the last 11 days
at Lakes Entrance. While the Iormal
mission is over, God`s work in people`s
lives continues, and Ior that reason,
iI you can, please continue to pray
Ior those whom we encountered in
Lakes Entrance, as well as those who
continue to do God`s work in that town.
Scripture Union beach missions are held on beaches everv summer over the Christmas New Year
period. There are 27 mission teams of more than 700 volunteers. SU Jictoria savs For manv of
these people, their connection with an SU Mission team is one of the most signihcant spaces where
thev have the opportunitv to get to know Christians, experience the realitv of Christian communitv
and be challenged bv who Jesus is. Theos missions are for teenagers and voung adults while
SUFM (Scripture Union Familv Missions) cater for families with voung children.
,(--.'*%/
Photos courtesy of SU Victoria
Beach Mission Cowes
Lakes Entrance
!,$
Page 2 The GippsIand AngIican February 2014

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Registered by Australia Post
Print Post Numer 34352/00018
The Gippsland Anglican is the offcial
newspaper of and is published by
The Anglican Diocese of Gippsland,
453 Raymond Street,
Sale, Victoria, 3850.
www.gippsanglican.org.au
Editor: Jan Down
Tel: 0407 614 661
Email: editor@gippsanglican.org.au
Printed by Rural Press Printing,
30-32 Grandlee Drive,
Wendouree, Victoria, 3355.
The editor reserves the right of
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conributors.
Advertising Rates
Please contact the editor for all
advertising submissions, costing and
enquiries, including about inserts
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schedule can be sent out upon
request.
!"#
$%&'()*%
,(--.'*%/
Index
Theos Mission 1
Lakes Entrance
Letter from the Bishop 2
New Connections 3
Prayer Service for
South Sudanese 4
Summer in Seaspray 5
Christmas Stories 5
St. Nicholas Fete 5
Trafalgar Holiday Program 6
Trio of Ministries 6
Moe Snippets 6
Vale Pat Cameron 7
Kidsplus+ 7
Trafc School Visit
Easter Art Show 7
Rwanda Schoolies Diary 8
Local Students 10
Win Science Award
Kidsplus+Camp 10
Anam Cara Quiet Day 11
Neil Thompsons 11
70th birthday
From the Editor 12
Ross Jacka 12
Painting Delight

"#$% &'() *#$ +#,$ &,-./
A common modern expression but it describes exactly what you gain
when your make a deposit with the '0123450 678729:;70< *=0>?
You can @587 your money with guaranteed security and @7A87 the
Nission of the church in Gippsland at the same time.
Good interest rates too. Here they are:
3.75% At Call
4.75% Term Deposits to $20,000
5.00% Term Deposits to $20,000
The period for a term deposit is 12 months.
There is no minimum deposit for either At Call or Term.
And remember, there are (9 *77B 9A -C5A17B to operate
your Account with the ADF. !t's Free! Access to your Deposit
is just a phone call away.
Open an Account with the A.D.F. today. Give us a call on
(03) 51++ 20++ or write to The Registrar at: PO Box 928 Sale,
vic. 3850, or you can drop in to the Diocesan Registry at
+53 Raymond Street, Sale, for an Application Form to open
your Account with the ADF.
Note: Neither the Anglican Diocese oI Gippsland nor the Anglican Development Fund Gippsland
is prudentially supervised by APRA. Contributions to the Fund do not obtain the beneft oI depositor
protection provisions oI the Banking Act 1959.


Bishop John McIntyre
W
hether 2014 is
going to be a good
year or not depends
on where a person sits in the
scheme oI things, both here in
Australia and internationally.
The Abbott government,
having assured us they would
govern Ior all Australians,
is clearly set on a course not
to govern Ior the poor or
disenIranchised in this land. It
will likely not be a good year
Ior them.
Budget cuts are pending in
health and welIare, while tax
avoidance remains a loop-hole
Ior the wealthy, and the mining
industry is subsidised to the
tune oI millions, at the same
time as it continues to make
Australian mining magnates
among the wealthiest people in
the world. Climate change and
environmental sustainability are
trivialised by the dumping oI
any accountability processes on
these issues by this government.
Those who will suIIer most
as the planet warms will be
those in communities most
vulnerable to weather extremes
and the consequent increase in
the incidence oI frestorms and
foods. And who knows how
Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander people will Iare
under a government committed
primarily to supporting the
whims oI the wealthy.
Ther e was even an early
attempt by this government to
back-track on its pre-election
commitment to education
spending.
Those who would have Ielt
the impact oI the suggested
Iunding cuts were those who
cannot aIIord the privileges
oI a private school education.
They surely will rest uneasy at
the possibility that increased
Iunding to government schools
may still be under threat in the
name oI budget responsibility.
All oI this is in line with this
government`s commitment to
the privileged in society.
Internationally, 2014 looks
even worse Ior those most
vulnerable and disadvantaged.
Funding Ior overseas develop-
ment has dropped signifcantly
under the Abbott government
and the plight oI asylum
seekers is unimaginable.
The new policy oI secrecy on the
boats ensures there will be no
disclosure about the injustices
being perpetrated in our name
against asylum seekers. They
will no doubt continue to get
into boats to seek a viable Iuture
Ior their Iamilies.
For Gippslanders involved
in agriculture, there are huge
question marks hovering over
them Ior 2014 and beyond,
with a combination oI State
and Federal governments
committed to Iurther brown
coal allocations in the Latrobe
Valley region. These Iarmers
continue with uncertainty about
the Iuture oI their landholdings
within the allocation zone.
Money is granted to
consortiums to come up with
all kinds oI ideas to utilise the
brown coal deposits beneath
their land, and Iarmers have
no recourse to appeal against
those allocations.
While a limited moratorium
currently exists until 2015 on
Iracking in Victoria, Coal Seam
Gas (CSG) exploration still
goes ahead with no thought Ior
the impact on those Iarmers on
whose land those explorations
are taking place, or on the
communities in which they
live. The potential damage by
CSG exploration and extraction
to aquiIers in Gippsland Iurther
threatens all agricultural
endeavour in Gippsland, one
oI Australia`s most Iertile
and economically viable
agricultural communities.
At the beginning oI his
ministry, Jesus committed to
a mission agenda in terms
proposed by the prophet
Isaiah. As the sure sign oI
the anointing oI the Spirit oI
God, Jesus recognised God`s
demand on his liIe to bring
good news to the poor. This
means the proclamation oI
release to captives, like those
on Manus Island. It means
recovery oI sight to the blind,
like those blinded to the real
impact oI human-induced
climate change on the planet.
It means letting the oppressed
go Iree, like those needing to
be released Irom the
uncertainty oI their Iuture on
the land because oI limited
rights in relation to the land oI
their Iorebears due to mining
allocations and mineral rights
that override their rights.
II 2014 is to be the year oI
the Lord`s Iavour, those oI us
who claim the Spirit oI the
Lord is upon us have a clear
agenda to pursue in the name
oI Jesus.
Letter from the Bishop
0123 4 * &55/ 6#*7888957 .5:#;
!,$
R
ev. Richard Lanham,
Youth Development
OIfcer Ior the
Gippsland diocese, recently
spoke to TGA about
his hopes and visions Ior
mission to Iamilies and
young people in Gippsland.
He said the Youth and
Families Ministry Summit to
be held on Raymond Island on
Friday 21st Sunday 23rd
February will provide a
wonderIul opportunity Ior all
those involved in mission to
young people to come together
and celebrate their shared
motivation Ior this work.
They will also be able to
encourage and inspire each
other through examples oI the
good things that are already
happening in their parishes, as
well as discussing what they
would like to see happen in
Iuture. It will be a chance to
explore new ways oI
re-building connections with
local communities.
It is really important to
have an understanding oI
the current context Ior
mission to young people,
Rich explained. Firstly, there
is the wider cultural context,
which is that oI a society that
is post-church. In other words,
people outside the church
have diIfculty in seeing
how the church fts into the
local community. Families
where both parents are
working and the children are
involved in sport or music
oIten do not see the place Ior
church in their lives.
People may belong to
service clubs such as Rotary
or Lions, and so be very
involved in their community,
without being part oI the
church. Our privileged
position in the community has
gone, Rich said, and there is
a need to earn it back through
making connections that
can lead to new partnerships
between chur ch and,
Ior exampl e, schools or
service clubs.
The second layer oI context
Ior youth ministry is that oI
liIe within churches. This is
where he believes the new
Strategic Directions document
is important. He would like to
see people remembering or
becoming more aware oI why
they believe in God, and what
being loved by God means Ior
them. Rich is convinced that
when people have a strong
sense oI their own relationship
with Jesus, what he has done
Ior them and how that brings
them hope, and understand
that sharing their Iaith doesn`t
mean having to present
an argument, it becomes
Iar less daunting. He said
that in Iact everyone is an
evangelist, and has a story to
tell oI their own relationship
with a God.
Gippsland, being a rural
diocese, has some advantages
Ior mission, Rich said.
Ther e can be physi cal
assets Ior one thing, such
as bui ldi ngs t hat are
under-utilised. And where
communities are small,
people are more likely to
know each other and be
happy to work together, so
there are great opportunities
Ior partnerships between
the church and schools
or clubs. It is in building
individual relationships Ior
example, with the local school
principal that opportunities
begin to develop. Trust
will then grow, so that
activities such as MOPS
(Mothers oI Pre-schoolers),
CRE or aIter-school care


programs become possible.
These kinds oI activities
will help people to see
that the church can have a
role in their local community.
It can then become a
place Ior us to be Jesus`
hands and Ieet and to
share our stories oI Jesus`


liIe-changing love.
Rich is excited about
all these possibilities, and is
looking Iorward to the Summit,
where those who minister to
young people and Iamilies will
be able to come and be
encouraged, inspired, equipped
and renewed.
Cost for the summit $90.00 per head, which
includes food and bunk style accommodation.
Ensuite accommodation is available at extra cost.
Details have been sent to churches.
February 2014 The GippsIand AngIican Page 3
New connections with
community the way forward
Rich Lanham is excited about the future of mission to young people in Gippsland.
Jan Down
Page 4 The GippsIand AngIican February 2014
Prayer Service for
South Sudanese at Moe
O
n Sunday January 12th
St. Luke`s Moe was
flled Ior a special
service bringing together
the St Luke`s congregation
and the South Sudanese
Dinka Anglican congregation
that also meets weekly at
St. Luke`s. Many other
parishes in the region were
also well represented plus
other members oI the wider
Moe community.
The special service was
to pray with the Sudanese
Anglicans and their Iriends
about the situation that had
developed in South Sudan
over the previous Iour
weeks and to share with the
South Sudanese in their grieI
as most, iI not all present,
had lost Iriends, neighbours
and Iamily members among
the 1000 who had been killed
in the troubles engulfng this
new nation in recent times.
(The death toll is sadly now
even higher.)
Earlier in the day Bishop
John Macintyre and acting
Rector Canon Graeme
MacRobb had met with the
South Sudanese congregation
Ior Holy Communion with
Bishop John celebrating and
Canon Graeme preaching.
At 2:00pm they were joined
by members oI the St Luke`s
congregation and others Irom
Moe and Iurther afeld.
Canon Graeme introduced
the service, speaking about
Our Lord`s visit to the tomb
oI his Iriend Lazarus and how
his response was not to preach
to the grieving Iamily but
to cry with them instead.
'In the same way he said,
'we have not come here today
to preach, but to be here with
you and to let you know by
our presence and prayers with
you, that we are aware oI your
grieI and your concern about
Iamily and Iriends back in
South Sudan.
The Rev. Abraham Maluk
who had recently returned
Irom South Sudan shared with
the congregation about what
had taken place in his home

country in the previous weeks.
Bishop John then read to the
congregation the report and
a plea to help Irom the South
Sudan Primate that the
Archbishop oI Canterbury
had that week Iorwarded to
all Bishops in the Anglican
Communion around the world.
These two reports certainly
Iocused the prayers that
Iollowed and the expressions
oI personal support and
prayerIul concern that were
shared aIter the service when
the Moe Ladies Guild and
others provided reIreshments
Ior all present in the shade
oI the large oak tree behind
St. Luke`s.
!,$

Around The Parishes
On 15 December 2013, ghting broke out between
soldiers loyal to both sides in the capital Juba after
President Salva Kiir accused the ex-vice President Riek
Machar of attempting a coup, which he denies.
Mr Kiir is from the Dinka community and Mr Machar
from the Nuer which has caused the political crisis to
take on ethnic undertones.
The United Nations now estimates that there are more
than 400,000 internally displaced people and the death
toll due to this conict has risen to 10,000. Many IDPs
have been seeking refuge in UN camps and also in
church compounds but the humanitarian crisis is growing.
ABM works closely with its Church Partner in South
Sudan, the Episcopal Church of South Sudan and
Sudan (ECSSS). The Most Rev. Dr Daniel Deng Bul Yak,
Archbishop of the ECSSS, has written to the Archbishop
of Canterbury appealing to him and others around the
Communion for assistance both in the churchs response
to internally displaced and injured persons, and to
advocate for successful peace talks in Addis Ababa.
The church has an infrastructure that is capable of
responding to these emergencies, and an excellent
network to ensure that emergency food and medical
supplies get to where they are most needed. Its efforts
are also a good complement to those of the UN and large
agencies because of this network of parishes and dioceses,
with a central coordinating body and good accounting
systems to ensure nancial accountability.

We are seeki ng your support to rai se $50,000
to assi st the church to meet urgent needs of
di spl aced and i njured peopl e, parti cul arl y i n
Bor Town and nearby areas.
More updates will be published on the ABM website
as soon as they become available. Please keep our
partners and the people of South Sudan in your prayers.
How to donate:
Online at: www.abmission.org/southsudan
OR
Phone 1300 302663, Sydney 02 9264 1021
Compiled from information on the ABM website, 21/1/2014
Please donate to save lives

by Christine Morris
T
HE EI GHTH Summer
in Seaspray` children`s
holiday program run by
volunteers Irom St Paul`s
Anglican Cathedral and partly
Iunded by Wellington Shire
Small Event Sponsorship Grant
was again very successIul over the
Christmas New Year period.
Initially we didn`t think we
could aIIord to run the program
this year, as we were unsuccessIul
in obtaining our usual large
grant Irom the Wellington Shire.
However with God`s guidance
and provision, it was made
possible. Wellington Shire
provided a very small small event
grant`. The Seaspray Rate-payers
and Progress Association heard
oI our diIfculties and gave us a
$500 donation; the Seaspray Hall
Committee decided it was a win-
win` situation and donated the
hall Ior our use; the new caravan
park managers allowed us to use
their rubbish bins; Coates Hire
donated the trailer to transport all
the stuII`; and the Diocese gave
us a generous grant. Praise God!
The very frst day we ran the
program seven years ago we had
12 children with 6 Irom the one
Iamily (that Iamily still attends!).
On the frst day this year we had
82, and 111 the Iollowing day!
Quite a squish!
Record numbers came the frst
week with over 200 diIIerent
children and their Iamilies
attending the seven days oI Iree
children`s activities. The new
Seaspray Caravan Park was almost
Iully booked on New year`s Eve
and many more Iamilies with
young children attended than had
at the old park. Being next door
to the hall where the activities are
conducted certainly contributed to








the record numbers and the windy
weather also sent people inside
rather than going to the beach.
Families really appreciated
having a place to go where their
children could participate in a
variety oI activities, craIt and
games, and many wanted it to
continue Ior the whole holidays!
Councillor Bernadene Voss
Irom City oI Port Phillip said it was
wonderIul to see so many children
and Iamilies actively and creatively
participating in the Seaspray
community activity. 'It`s a key
program Ior Seaspray over the
Christmas holiday season which is
really appreciated by the locals and
holiday makers.
by Carolyn Raymond
A
LL THE CONGREGATION
appreciate the wonderful
Christmas services we
hold at St Marys. Te Childrens
Pageant is a highlight for all
the children who attend Sunday
School. Tere was a choir which
had been practising for sever-
al weeks before the Pageant and
sang several carols.
Every year Carols by Candle
-light is held at St Marys the
Sunday before Christmas.
Rotary sponsor this event,
putting on a BBQ before the
carols and organising a sing-
er. Many people attend from
the community.
At the Childrens service on
Christmas Eve the little ones



were given the opportunity to
dress up as angels, shepherds
or wise men. All the children
paraded into church and gathered
around the crib. Afer singing
some carols, the children played
pass the parcel. As each layer
was unwrapped Christmas dec-
orations were revealed. Rev Lyn
Williams told us all the signif-
cance of each of the Christmas
decorations: how candles tell us
again that Jesus is the Light of the
World, how candy canes remind
us of the shepherds coming to
see Jesus with their crooks, and
how we can turn the crook the
other way to make J for Jesus.
The children all enjoyed
decorating a big Christmas
tree with the decorations.
Christmas at St. Marys Morwell
February 2014 The GippsIand AngIican Page 5
Summer in Seaspray
by Sandra McMaster
S
t . Ni chol as Angl i can
Church, Lakes Entrance,
held their annual Iete in
the large grounds oI the Church
and Nicholas John Op Shop.
Being the holiday season
in Lakes Entrance, it was a
wonderIul opportunity to share
our great Iacilities and Iaith
with holiday makers and the
local people. Kevin and Geva
Kramer were on hand with their
amazing number oI plants. The
CraIt Ladies were very pleased
with their stall. The church
Fellowship Ladies provided a
Devonshire tea in the Narthex

and the Cake and Vegetable
Stall were inside the main
part oI the church. There were
numerous other stalls outside,
including a Spinning Wheel,
Books, Bric-a-Brac, Jumping
Castle, old Iurniture and the
Sausage Sizzle which was well
patronised. Another highlight
was the Mystery Jar Stall.
A regular vistor, Lyn Kohler,
decorated and flled all the
jars and there was something
Ior everyone young boys
and girls, and older boys and
girls. Lyn said 'seeing as liIe
is a Mystery, why not use that
theme at the Stall!
St. Nicholas
Lakes Entrance Fete
!,$

Around The Parishes
Lyn Kohler (a regular visitor
to Lakes Entrance) on
her Mystery Jar Stall.
by Barbara Lunson
110 people came for our
Christmas Big Event at
St James. Barbecue and
entertainment provided by
The Muscatelles and
The Nowa Nowa Mens
Choir, and of course
St James Players
presenting one of their
plays. This one was
A Modern Aussie Christmas
written by the vicar,
Bevil Lunson.
A great night of fun,
food and frivolity.
! #$%&'(
!)**+&
,-'+*./0*
0. 1.2 30/&*
4'5$*.
by Glenda Amos
F
rom the smallest scenes
just a Iew centimetres
high to the largest hand-
made stable and fgures, the
Nativity Exhibition was a
delight to behold. Over 20
diIIerent scenes were loaned
to the church Ior the weekend.
Each scene had a special story,
especially those Irom overseas.
The Exhibition was a success
on many levels. We had visitors
Irom other churches in Yarram,
including the students oI
St Mary`s P.S. and also
residents oI Crossley House
Aged Care Hostel on the
Iollowing Tuesday, so the
display was open Ior more than
just the weekend.
A craIt table enabled
children and those who are
young at heart to make an angel
or other fgurine Ior their own
Christmas display. One Nanna
brought her grandchildren
to view the display and then
make nativity fgures together.
The Nativity Exhibition
provided the opportunity Ior
people to share the joy oI the
coming oI Jesus.
Nativity exhibition
at Holy Trinity Yarram
Councillor Bernadene Voss
with children enjoying
a sausage

Page 6 The GippsIand AngIican February 2014

Moe Snippets
by Mary Nicholls
Moe utilised an old fashioned penny mile idea to build the
Golden Trail through Advent. As we recognised and passed
through the advent signposts of Hope, Love, Joy and Peace, our
trail of gold coins edged their way to the Christmas Crib. Many
joined in the spirit of the project, nally raising approximately $300.
Our parishioners, along with many others across the diocese are
delighted and send our congratulations, prayers and best wishes
to our Rector the Reverend Bruce Charles and Mqaarizel Gatica
on the announcement of their engagement to be married later
in the year.
Moe and Newborough Parish cooperated in our annual outdoor
Eucharist, held at Moe Botanic Gardens. Fine weather greeted
good numbers of adults and children from our two congregations
and also from our Moe Dinka speaking congregation. We all
enjoyed a picnic lunch. It was a relaxed way to enjoy and
celebrate the Sunday worship, after our busy Christmas Festivals.
During January the parish
councils of both churches
met together for a relaxed
evening meal. The
informal discussions
revealed many talents,
and visions which might
be developed as together
we seek to minister to
the people in the Moe
Newborough area.
!,$
Trafalgar Holiday Activities
Around The Parishes
$ <7(5 59 :(%(.<7(#. *< =*77*&>'
1. PARADE OF TEA COSIES
Twenty-fve handknitted, crocheted, or
embroidered tea cosies, were entered in a
competition held by Warragul Anglican
Opportunity Shop, in the lead up to
Christmas. The cosies gained much interest
Irom customers and, aIter judging, cosies
were Ior sale as giIts. The winning entry
gained the owner a voucher Ior aIternoon
tea at Lady Lavender Tearooms.

2. DOLLS RESTORED AND
DRESSED IN HANDKNITS
Outreach Ministries members have
been sourcing old dolls, cleaning them
knits. When fnished they were placed
in hampers prepared by Anglicare and
given to local, needy Iamilies.

3. BREAST CANCER COMFORT
CUSHIONS AND ACCESSORIES
This project had been initiated by an
invitation to Paula Summerfeld to
speak during the year at MU Gippsland
AGM held at Warragul. Paula, a
cancer survivor, hoping to ease the
discomIort oI treatment, Iounded
the charity Breast Cancer ComIort Cushions
in 2002.
Paula has set up numerous sewing groups
across the West Gippsland region. In recent
years she has expanded the venture to
include colourIul bags to hold X-rays and
other medical equipment when women are
undergoing treatment. Several ladies Irom our Parish have assisted in this way. All oI these ministries are using
our talents to create, renew, and restore hope to those who receive the beneft. We thank God Ior
these opportunities.
by Sue Jacka
D
espite the thermometer
stretching well into the
40s, the children who came to
the holiday program held in
Thorpdale and TraIalgar had
a great time. Stilt walking,
balloon badminton and hoops
were popular with the older
children while the smaller ones
enjoyed the jumping castle.
Making various craIt items
and the woodwork tree` Ior
jewellery or keys provided
enjoyable indoor activities.
Lydia`s crazy Minute to win
it` was a real laugh!
The next week, the weather
was much cooler Ior Yarragon
and there were more children.
Our songs and stories this
year centred around vines and
trees. We used the Lost Sheep`
story-telling kit which has
six well known Bible stories,
including Bill the Brilliant
Branch` Irom John 15`s I am
the Vine`, and Zac the Taxman
who oI course is Zacchaeus.
We talked about how each
person is valuable to God and
that we can all have IruitIul
lives when we are part oI God`s
Iamily and how Jesus can help
us to change.
The program was a joint
eIIort between volunteers
Irom the local three
churches: Wesleyan, Uniting
and Anglican, and it was great
to see seamless cooperation as
we shared God`s love with the
local children.

The Golden Trail
by Bev Foster
February 2014 The GippsIand AngIican Page 7
by Christine McIntosh
P
at Cameron`s death in
early September, 2013 took
us all by surprise, not only
within the Parish oI St. John`s
MaIIra, but in the wider
community and beyond.
Pat had been so much part oI
MaIIra liIe, and was involved in
so many organisations Irom the
time she frst arrived in MaIIra,
that we fnd it hard to believe that
she is no longer with us. She was
one oI those people whom you
Ieel will be around Ior ever to
call upon Ior advice, assistance
or inIormation. Certainly at
St. John`s we Ieel she is still
there in spirit, looking over our
shoulders to tell us how things
should be done, whether catering
Ior a Iuneral, running a meeting
or planning an event.
Pat`s contribution to MaIIra
and our Shire goes back to the
early days when her children
were small. She was a member
oI the MaIIra Primary School
Mothers Club and later President
oI the MaIIra High School
Parents Club. During this time
she became a representative on
the Victorian Federation oI State
School Parents Clubs. She was
also instrumental in establishing
the MaIIra High School Canteen.
Over the years Pat has served
on many other committees such
as MaIIra SaIety House, MaIIra
Swimming Pool, MaIIra Little
Athletics, MaIIra Recreation
Reserve Committee, as well
as fnding time to be a
debutante trainer, and putting
together a submission Ior the
Tidy Towns competition.
Between 1982 and 1990
Pat served as a councillor on
the then MaIIra Shire Council
and became Shire President in
1988/1989. Her late husband
Gordon was a long-standing
member oI local government in
the Iormer MaIIra Shire and the
later Wellington Shire. When
Gordon also became Shire
President Ior a number oI terms,
Pat supported him in his many
shire commitments. Between the
two oI them, they supported and
contributed to a large number oI
community organisations. Small
wonder that Pat and Gordon were
joint winners oI the Wellington
Shire Citizen oI the Year Award
in 1996. At the time oI her death,
Pat was Secretary oI the Hospital
Auxiliary and a member oI both
the Rotary and Probus clubs.
Last but not least, Pat`s greatest
commitment was to her church.
While Pat was committed to
working Ior her community, she
had a particular commitment to
St. John`s through her deep and
abiding Iaith. Pat had been, or was
involved in every aspect oI liIe
in the parish, Irom Ladies Guild,
catering, pastoral care group and
teaching religious education, to
being a Sunday School teacher,
parish councillor and warden, as
well as a liturgical assistant. Pat
spent two terms on the National
Committee oI the Anglican Women
oI Australia and Ior some years
organised the annual diocesan bus
trip away Ior Anglican women.
Our Rector, Graham Knott
wrote oI Pat: 'It is impossible Ior
us to put into words what Pat`s
death means to us as a Christian
Iamily, simply because she has
poured her love and liIe into us Ior
so long and in so many diIIerent
ways... Pat has lived and died with
a very strong matter-oI-Iact Iaith
and hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.
She had no doubt whatever that
she was heading to a better place
aIter death, and this Iaith Ireed
her to get on with the business oI
living positively, and Ior the sake
oI others.
Vale Pat Cameron
13th January, 1935 4th September, 2013
by Mary Nicholls
The Morwell Trafc school
afternoon nancially sponsored
and hosted by the Gippsland
Diocesan Kidsplus+ Network
proved to be another fun-lled
afternoon. Families with
pre-schoolers, primary aged chil-
dren and the youth all found
activities to enjoy along with
the sausage sizzle tea.
Tricycles, pedal cars, scooters,
glider bikes and bicycles all took
to the road. It was great to see
the cooperation and sharing
amongst all the participants, and
across our parish boundaries.
Easter
Art
Show
at Sale
2014 Kidsplus+
Diocean Family Trafc
School Visit
St Pauls Cathedral Sale is holding its 6th annual Art Show over
the Easter week in Delbridge Hall, 147 Cunninghame Street, Sale.
Artists have been busy creating works in painting, drawing,
sculpture, multi-media, textile art and photography for the three
sections of Open, Religious/Spiritual Art and Photography.
The art show, open to all themes and subject matter, has a general
theme of Easter and this has inspired great variety in the past.
The judges have always been impressed with the standard of work
submitted, and this year is sure to have something to suit all tastes.
The Ofcial Opening is on Tuesday April 15th at 6:00pm.
Open Wednesday 16th April noon on Tuesday 22nd April
10:00am 5:00pm daily.
Entry is by gold coin donation, and there is also a chance to vote in the Peoples Choice Award.
For more information or to obtain an entry form please contact Julie on 51497496 or email
cmorris@wideband.net.au, or check the cathedral website: http://cathedral.gippsland-anglican.org/

Kidsplus+
tandem bike
still rolling
Boys from
Traralgon
and Moe
A younger participant
from Heyeld
Pedal power
with help
thanks
to Kaitlin
!,$

Around The Parishes

Page 8 The GippsIand AngIican February 2014
!,$
Rwanda Schoolies 2013 - from the students diaries
This year`s participants were:
Gippsland Grammar:
Martin Angus, Sale, Liam Keil, Briagolong,
Ry Lumsden Malaschenko, Omeo, Rachel Masin, Sale,
Mark McAnulty, MaIIra and James Vandersteen, Tinamba.
St. Paul`s Anglican Grammar School:
David Hamilton, Warragul, James Wardell, Warragul
and Rebecca Wardell, Warragul, Iormer student
The Schoolies were accompanied by:
Tim Charles (Head oI Year 12, St Paul`s Anglican Grammar)
Jan Henry (Head oI Garnsey campus, Gippsland Grammar)
and Jon Taylor (Chaplain, Gippsland Grammar).
With exams behind them, students Irom Gippsland Grammar
met at the Chapel oI St Anne to pack cases two days prior to
our departure. As donated and collected goods were spread
across the foor, we wondered how it would all ft into our
luggage allowance.
Donated goods included surgical gowns, towels, beads,
school supplies, textbooks, medical supplies, knitted blankets,
sports equipment, reading glasses, computers and much more.
The parishes and school communities had been very generous
in giving.
Students become teachers MONDAY 25 NOVEMBER
With body clocks askew, some of us woke early and wandered up the kilometre dirt track which leads away
from our relatively palatial accommodation in Gippsland House at Seeds of Peace, a conference centre on
the shores of Lake Muhazi. The beautiful hills were reected in the mirrored lake for much of the morning.
After this the team began preparations for the following days. A visit by the secondary school Principal,
Luke Karemangingo, gave some insight into our mission to run English and Maths camps.
Those who were students several weeks earlier would now become teachers for the young people of Gahini.
In the afternoon we met with Bishop Alexis who welcomed us to Gahini and answered many, many questions.
Bishop Alexis faith and passion for Gahini, Anglicanism and cows was evident. As the clouds rolled in and
the rain fell gently on this rst day in Gahini, we had great anticipation and expectations about what we could
contribute to Gahini and for what we would learn in the days ahead.
Kindred spirit through song SUNDAY 24 NOVEMBER
The team of 12 arrived at Kigali International Airport in the late afternoon, being
greeted with a large tropical rainstorm. With our luggage it was a rather cosy
en route to Gahini with our intrepid crew sitting tightly packed together in the
vehicles provided for us.
A quick stop to gather some supplies turned out to be a wonderful experience
for Tim and Jon. As we entered the store by the side of the road we were
confronted by a large group of people who seemed more than surprised to see two
Aussies in their midst. The lyrics of a Christian song were echoing throughout
the store and Jon quickly picked up the words and began singing the song.
Sheer delight and joy lit up the faces of locals in the store and it was obvious
there was a kindred spirit amongst the Rwandans and two Christians from the
other side of the world. The Christian song was the catalyst to enable us to relate
to one small part of their life.
While we may not have understand each others language, the common bond in
understanding the signicance of the lyrics of the Christian song resonated in a
transforming manner for both the Rwandans and two random Aussie shoppers
in a Kigali store.
Rays of Hope choir TUESDAY 26 NOVEMBER
Tuesday started out with a delicious breakfast followed by a rainy walk up the hill to the village, for our rst ofcial
visit to the hospital. Wim, a lovely South African doctor, who has lived in Gahini for 12 years, showed us around the
hospital with much pride and enthusiasm. We saw so many smiles and happy faces even in a place that is so basic,
and cramped. It was truly amazing and humbling to see how the people of Gahini embrace adversity with a smile.
The next visit was the rehabilitation centre, which was full of friendly people, like Evans the orthopaedic technician.
After organising to return the childrens rehab centre the next day, we left for a full tour of the village with Anna
(Bishop Alexiss daughter). Eventually we reached the very impressive Cathedral, with many seats, and some very big
drums.
The next stop was a primary school, which had a fantastic view out over the lake; it was amazing to just absorb the
scenery, and enjoy the sights and sounds of Gahini. The library was a very small, yet well-organised and a well-lit space;
some of the books that occupied the shelves were interesting but seemed somewhat incongruous in this little village in
Rwanda. However, the thing that left the most profound impact on the group on this day, was the singing and dancing;
the most impressive displays of skill and passion that many of us have ever seen. The lasting memory of the Rays of Hope
choir is something that will be forever engraved into our minds.
Kids who love life WEDNESDAY 27 NOVEMBER
We arrived next morning at the local school to teach our rst lesson of English to the local Rwandan kids but were informed
that many of the students had chosen to be taught Maths. However, with some rapid and innovative thinking, it turned into an
extremely productive lesson. Although the students originally felt shy to speak up, by the completion of the lesson, they happily
spoke with greater condence. Now it was time for lunch, and with cash on hand, we decided to compile a mixed selection of fresh
local produce.
After lunch the group dispersed; some visited the Rehabilitation centre, some the hospital and some tried a little football with
the local boys. After a highly contested game, Lennox and Mark, covered in sweat were politely invited to James and Torres home.
This is where they met their father, John; a truly amazing man whose smile lit up the world. Although John did not have any legs,
he still managed to master a trade and feed his family. After the visit, all the students managed to end up at the astonishing
Rehab centre. The kids, some limbless, some with physical and intellectual disabilities, just loved life. It was as simple as that.
These kids simply loved our company and it was beautiful that by simply playing with the kids, we made their day.
P
reparation Ior Rwanda Schoolies 2013 began in February
2013 with an inIormation session Iollowed by Iour training
days prepared mostly by the incomparable and Rwanda-
savvy Sarah Gover, and held throughout the months beIore
our departure. The training days allowed the students and staII
Irom Gippsland Grammar and St Paul`s Anglican Grammar
to get to know each and prepare Ior our mission in Rwanda.
Seeing a baby born THURSDAY 28 NOVEMBER
There are not many days in your life when you can say today I saw a baby being born. Rebecca was welcomed to shadow
Wim in the hospital for the entire day. It was amazing to observe how he would jump from treating a patient with an oral
tumour to consulting a midwife on a post-term pregnancy to checking up on a patient with malignant eye cancer in the eye
centre. Following numerous consultations Rebecca had the chance to observe a caesarean. Until you are there, in a room,
seeing a baby literally being cut out of a uterus and hearing its rst cries and seeing its eyes open for the rst time, you
really have no idea how amazing and magical that moment of life is. Especially for this mother, who had experienced the
loss of her rst child in the womb. Upon reection, a difcult and potentially life threatening procedure such as a caesarean
was able to be achieved in a district hospital in Rwanda, mainly due to the dedication of Wim to train his staff to perform
such a procedure. It is denitely a step in the right direction for Rwanda to improve maternal health and reduce child
mortality a key component of the millennium development goals.
Later, Rebecca had the opportunity to speak to Wim about his views on aid, politics and the deep sense of community
that we had experienced in Gahini. We asked what we can do as Westerners is it best to offer money, or to give our time
to groups such as Medicins Sans Frontiers or Engineers Without Borders? Wim explained to us that the best thing for many
African countries including Rwanda would be to encourage investment, in order to enable Rwandans to have sustainable,
ongoing businesses instead of supporting short term projects that are not maintained or able to be maintained by
the community.
Today denitely provided many thought provoking moments - including our purpose in coming to Rwanda, the
Western view on community as well as our attitude to buying new products manufactured overseas instead of
encouraging local businesses that repair damaged items.
Rwanda Schoolies
February 2014 The GippsIand AngIican Page 9
!,$

Hair-braiding and market visit FRIDAY 29 NOVEMBER
After breakfast the rest of the crew headed up the hill to teach classes whilst Rachel stayed to wait for the women who we
had organised to braid her hair. They arrived and began braiding at 8.50am. One of the women spoke basic English so they
spent the time talking about Australia and Rwanda and her telling about her husband and kids, of whom she was very proud.
At 2.20pm, after 5 and a half hours, it was nally nished and everyone was quite impressed. Then we all jumped into a
taxi to head for the market at Kayonza. This was quite an experience. As mzungus (white people) we attracted a lot of
attention, with people staring at us wherever we went. The stalls themselves were fantastic, with leather shoes, fresh food,
and woven baskets available among many other things. One of the highlights was the material for sale that could be sewn
then and there into clothing by people sitting at treadle sewing machines nearby the stall.
Genocide Memorial SATURDAY 30 NOVEMBER
This day was confronting, exhausting and exhilarating. We set off in the mini bus for Kigali and a visit to the Genocide
Memorial. We had prepared for this during our training and in our time of reection prior to departure, if indeed one can
prepare for such an experience. The time spent at the Memorial was moving yet intensely personal and hence difcult to
write about; it seems inappropriate and supercial, in fact, to describe our time there wandering through the memorial in
just a few words, as it was an experience beyond words for many of us. Quiet reection and thoughts shared with the team
have helped us all to understand the nature of the genocide and sense its impact on those whom we now call friends. While
the impact of the genocide is evident in the quiet stories told by our Rwandan friends, sometimes when just sittingtogether
on the steps or driving through the countryside, it was also evident during our time in Gahini that Rwandans cannot just be
dened by their past.
Cathedral Service SUNDAY 1 DECEMBER
Today being the only Sunday that we would be in Africa for the whole day, we went to a service in Gahini led by Bishop Alexis
with the sermon presented by Jon Taylor. As the students were now ofcially members of the Rays of Hope Choir they sat with
the choir for the church service. Much of the 3 hour long service was spoken in Kinyarwanda, however, this was made more
accessible for us through Bishop Alexis translating some of it, and many songs in which we were all able to join.
There was a passion and commitment of faith evident in the hundreds of people who came together in the cathedral for this
service. Undoubtedly, the music led by the four choirs was a unifying highlight throughout. We bring the prayers and best wishes
of the Gahini congregation back to our communities in Gippsland.
Tiny primary school MONDAY 2 DECEMBER
Today, a small group visited a primary school in the parish of Bwuhabwa. This was a small building with a rusted roof and only one
room. There were only enough chairs for teachers, who educated about 150 children. As we entered the room, we were greeted with
smiles and handshakes from everyone. After introducing ourselves, we taught some English through the song I will sing Hosanna.
This resulted in the entire school singing cheerfully, and dancing joyfully. When the song had nished, the students presented a
Rwandan song. Then we broke into two groups, one tasked with teaching some basic English, the other with playing games.
Whilst this seemed easy in theory, we soon discovered that it is extremely hard to teach 75 students how to count to 20 and even
more difcult to give everyone a chance at skipping.
Friendships made TUESDAY 3 DECEMBER
Today was our last day of teaching. We did start off by trying to teach a bit of English by going back over what we had
taught the other days, but the students quickly made it clear that they would much rather enjoy their last chance to
just talk with us, so we split into groups and had some deep conversations about life in general. Shortly after that, we all
started taking pictures of each other, with lots of strange posing and laughter.
Rwandan mosh pit WEDNESDAY 4 DECEMBER
Today we had our last day in Rwanda. We visited both our sister parishes. At the Maffra sister church we sat down in front
of the congregation and were introduced to the people who helped build the church, the Mothers Union and the
administrators of the church; it was very formal. Thirty minutes later it started to rain on the tin roof so that we could
no longer hear the pastor, so the choir got up and started to sing. Liam and Rebecca decided to seize the moment and dance
in front of everyone, leading to a Rwandan mosh pit with everyone dancing for 20 minutes. It was the highlight of my
trip. We left the church to go to the next parish while the Rwandans continued to sing and dance.
Saying goodbye THURSDAY 5 DECEMBER
An early start at 5.00am to have breakfast and pack luggage and passengers into the rental mini bus and Lukes twin
cab ute. The printer that was brought over has been left in Lukes care and should be able to be utilised in future trips.
Farewells to Seeds of Peace Staff not easy to say goodbye! Our friend Felicien who is the Chair of the Rays of Hope Choir
loaded up our team with individual copies of their latest DVD. Weve loved being a part of them during our stay.
Rwanda Schoolies 2013 - from the students diaries
Parish visit
Rwanda Service
Lake Nakuru
Jon Taylors sermon
Mark teaching maths
Rehab centre
!5- .)(#%)# *?*7/
957 '5)*' .<>/#%<.
Gippsland Grammar students, John Lauria, Dan Lee and Mike
Kerrison have won the prestigious 2013 Young Physicists
tournament, held recently at Quantum Victoria. The tournament, held
over two days, was the culmination of three experimental investigations
carried out during the year. The boys, competing in the Year 11
section, had to present their ndings to an opposing school team,
which critiqued their methodology and ndings. Each school had the
opportunity to present their three topics and critique three opposing
topics. The judging panel of three teachers, university post-graduates
or lecturers were also able to ask questions and judged the students
on their presentations, as well as their ability to critique.
This was the rst time that Gippsland Grammar had entered a
team and they had tough competition from King David School, The
Knox School, John Monash Science School, MacKinnon High School,
Melbourne High School, MacRobertson Girls High School, PLC and
Western Heights College.
O
Ifcially Iorms should be
in by 1st February, but
readers oI this article should
act now to join in this much
anticipated camp Ior those
aged 6 years to 18. Our
Gippsland Kidsplus network
team have kept costs to a
minimum through obtaining
substantial sponsorship Ior
activities and travel. Included
in the $100.00 camp Iee is
a cruise on the Enterprise
as it circumnavigates the
island. We have specialist
supervisors Ior water activities
and canoeing, weather
permitting. Raymond Island
always treats us to close
encounters with koalas and
other wild liIe. Our theme
this year will be 'Look
Out, as we together
explore liIe`s opportunities,
the environment and the
sustaining power given us
through our Iaith.
As this goes to print a
number oI past campers
have indicated their plans to
re-unite at this annual event.
A`beckett Park provides
ample accommodation Ior us
so new applicants are very
welcome. Youth leaders are
encouraged to come along,
join our diocesan team and
more importantly, support









members oI their parish
groups in attending.
Enquiries to Lauren
Kitwood 0413754062 or email
gippskidspluspeople.net.au/.
Application Iorms have been
mailed to all parishes last year
or they can be downloaded
Irom our web site.
The Kidsplus Network
operates in Gippsland to
encourage and support local
parishes as they minister
to children, youth and
Iamilies through any model
deemed appropriate to those
local communities. Parishes
registered to GFS Worldwide
or aIfliated Kidsplus
Gippsland aim to share
resources, and encourage one
another as needs arise. The
network Iacilitates leader
development opportunities
and occasional activity days
(e.g. in 2013 an Annual Camp,
traIfc school aIternoons,











Indoor Skating Evening, and
Leader Development day were
held) Ior leaders and Iamilies.
An Adult Friends Fellowship
group also has social and
worship activities Ior leaders,
adult Iriends and past and
present members oI GFS,
Kidspus and CEBS, The
Anglican Boy`s Society.
This group has provided
much support, wisdom, and
encouragement to leaders oI
current 'grassroots ministry.
We recognise the many
successIul models and ideas
Ior ministry operating across
the diocese and as a network,
aim to harness and share some
oI this richness Ior the beneft
oI the wider diocese, including
many oI our smallest parish
communities.
Through our Kidsplus
Network AIfliation scheme,
our parishes have been able
to maintain communication


through meetings, minute
circulation, monthly prayer
diaries and personal contact as
required. A parish AIfliation oI
a mere $30.00 annually enables
this communication and oIIers
Iree access to our well sought-
aIter games and equipment
trailer. Check out our website,
consider what we might be
able to oIIer and also what
your parish might be able to
oIIer the diocese in our mission
to reach young people and their
Iamilies Ior Christ. AIfliation
Iorms can also be downloaded
as required. Thankyou to those
parishes who have already
renewed their aIIiliation
Ior 2014.
Our frst network meeting
Ior 2014 will be held on
Sunday, 2nd February, 1:30pm
at St James Traralgon. These
are open meetin so Ieel Iree
to join us.

II this notifcation arrives
too late Ior you, or iI day
and times are not suitable
Ior Iuture gatherings, we
would be pleased to send
copies oI minutes and
discussion outcomes.
II interested please
contact Lauren Kitwood
0413754062 or our email
gippskidspluspeople.net.au
The Adult Friends oI our
Gippsland Diocesan Kidsplus
Network have planned a
social aIternoon Ior Sunday
16th February, meeting
at Lake Guthridge, Sale,
2.00pm at the corner highway
picnic area. Casual aIternoon,
enjoying good company as
well as the lake`s Iacilities
and view. Devonshire tea
provided, all welcome.
RSVP to Carol 51748445
or Dean 0422801986.
2014 Kidsplus+
Camp
Diocesan Camp Action Stations
Dont miss out!
Page 10 The GippsIand AngIican February 2014
!,$
L-R John Lauria, Dan Lee and Mike Kerrison are winners of the 2013 Young Physicists tournament.
Applications and enquiries for the
March 14th 16th Diocesan Kidsplus+
Camp at Raymond Island are due now.
Camp group at Coonawarra Farm last year
T
he Anam Cara Community`s
frst event Ior the year
will be a Quiet Day entitled
'Through the Looking Glass
led by Marion Haigh. Marion
is an experienced leader, an
accredited Lay Preacher in the
Uniting Church, and is part oI a
lay Carmelite group at Jamberoo
Benedictine Abbey in NSW.
She has a passion Ior sharing
God`s word in a down to
earth way, encouraging us to
see its relevance in our lives
today. The event will be held
at St Paul`s Cathedral, Sale on
Saturday 15 February beginning
at 9.30am, and all interested
parties are welcome.
The Community held an
Advent Quiet Day in December
in the beautiIul surrounds
oI St Mary`s Mirboo North.
One oI the Community`s
Servant Leaders, Sue Hopkins,
gave three addresses Ior the
seventeen men and women who
attended. The frst was entitled
'Let Every Heart Prepare
Him Room and included
introductory comments on
Advent and consideration oI
our current position, leading
into a short period Ior selI
refection, repentance and
asking Iorgiveness oI God.
The second address, 'Love
Comes Down, moved the Iocus
frmly to God`s great love Ior us
and the ways in which he comes
to us in our daily lives
.Quoting the well-known BCP
prayer 'O God, who showest
thy power chiefy by mercy
and pity..., Sue explored
the twin Iacts that the power
oI God is absolute
and that it is always
tempered with his love
pure unconditional
love, which, is the
very essence oI how
he comes to us. A time
Ior silent prayer and
refection Iollowed.
The third address,
given in the aIternoon,
'Receiving Him With
Joy took participants
o n I r o m t h e
heightened awareness
oI God`s love Ior us
and his coming to us in so many
ways to a sense oI wonder
and expectation and a spilling
over into thanksgiving.
Sue spoke oI that settled
spirit oI thanksgiving which
leads us to relate every aspect
oI our daily lives back to God,
to the Trinity: Father, Son and
Holy Spirit, recognising and
acknowledging what God
is doing, and moving on to

meet other things with these
expectations. Such a habit oI
thanksgiving sets a pattern oI
relationship with our Lord.
Following a Iurther
qui e t pe r i od I or
reIlection and prayer
and a sharing time,
the day fnished with
a s hor t wor s hi p
service oI thanksgiving
and praise.
February 2014 The GippsIand AngIican Page 11
Anam Cara Quiet Day
developing a habit of thanksgiving
by Carole Williams
Rev. Neil Thompson celebrated his 70th birthday in
November at a lunch held after the morning service at
Christ Church, Foster. Pictured with Neil are his wife,
Sue, and other family members. Neil is a former Rector
of the Parish of Corner Inlet and he and Sue recently
retired to live in Foster where they have been warmly
welcomed back to Christ Church and the Parish.
!,$
...a habit of
thanksgiving
sets a pattern of
relationship with
our Lord.
Neil Thompson turns 70
In the Grampians,
photograph bv Ross Bvrne
by Sue Hopkin
by Jan Down
What I`m seeking in my art is
a sense oI delight`, says painter
Ross Jacka, a parishioner oI
St. Mary`s TraIalgar, who has
held solo and group exhibitions.
When he likes something, he
wants to share that with other
people. This is clearly evident
on his blog (see below) where
he posts thoughts and photos oI
things that delight him, as well
as photographs oI his paintings.
Ross was at night school,
enjoying composing still liIe
paintings, but later at RMIT he
discovered the Ocean Park
paintings oI Richard Diebenkorn.
I remember looking at those
Ocean Park paintings and
thinking they were really
attractive.` These geometric,
abstract paintings became a
source oI inspiration Ior Ross,
and took his own painting in a
new direction.
As he likes the human scale,
Ross`s paintings are quite large.
They used to be bigger, but his
works now generally measure
about one metre by one and a
halI. He paints on gessoed paper,
or sometimes on plywood.
Gesso is used to treat the paper
beIore painting. While it is now
available commercially as an
acrylic, opaque white paint,
Ross preIers to make his own
Irom rabbit skin glue and
whiting. He has halI a garage
as his studio, and likes to work
during daylight hours, with the
roller door open to provide a
a connection with the outdoors.
It was changing technology that
brought Ross back to painting,
aIter spending 14 years as a
printer. Desktop publishing
stole my job`, he says. But I
was ready Ior a change.` He frst
completed a TAFE course in art
and design. From there he went
on to RMIT University and
studied painting..
Ross had always liked art,
even at school, but he went
into practical work at frst, and
put art aside as a vocation. He
once heard a teacher at trade
school saying that there were
so many Irustrated painters in
printing. Ross says, I remember
making the decision not to be
like that`. So he has always
made art part oI his liIe, but a
measured part`. It is now given
more time; he spends about two
days a week on art whether that
be painting, reading, or visiting
galleries. He still likes art to
be part oI his liIe, rather than
being his liIe, so art shares space
with Iamily, church liIe and
other things, and Ross is quite
happy with the pace at which his
work moves.
Ross`s ideas Ior painting come
Irom a little spring somewhere
in my brain that bubbles away`.
Does God have anything to
do with it? All creativity is
congruent with God. God is
creative. God loves variety and
creativity.` Also, he says that
sometimes you have doubts
about what you are doing,
and then you hear a comment
Irom someone that provides
confrmation that you are doing
what you are meant to be doing.
Other times, it`s the process
oI painting itselI that provides
t he conI i r mat i on l i ke an
interaction between the action
and that spring in the brain`.
There was a time when Ross
contemplated making religious`
art art that is specifcally about
religious subjects but he Iound
it didn`t lead anywhere Ior him.
However, Ross certainly sees art
as part oI what God wants him
to do in the world.
About the painting on this
page, Ross says: 'In Aeva,
instead oI trying to integrate
elements that I like shapes,
colour, wandering line, pattern
and grids I juxtaposed them,
and really like the result. The
grass photo, he says 'is just
something about variation with
repetition, and trying to see past
a habitual way oI looking and
seeing. Artists have a way oI
helping the rest oI us to do that.
Thank you Ross.
Page 12 The GippsIand AngIican February 2014
Diocesan calendar
February
16 Adult Friends oI Gippsland Diocesan
Kidsplus Network: social aIternoon
2:00pm at Lake Guthridge Sale,
meeting at the corner highway picnic area
21 23 Youth and Families Ministry Summit,
Raymond Island (see details page 3)
22 February SaIe Church Awareness Workshop,
Bairnsdale Baptist Church, 9:30am 4:00pm
(details page 11)
March
14 16 KidsPlus Camp, Raymond Island (details page 10)
15 March Anam Cara Community Quiet Day
St James` Heyfeld, 9:30am 3:30pm
April
5 Anam Cara Community Strategic Directions Day:
Growing in Christ Refections by Bishop John,
St Paul`s Cathedral Sale, 9:30am 3:30pm
15 Easter Art Show at Sale,
OIfcial Opening at 6:00pm (details page 7)
!,$
Ross Jacka painting delight
You can see more of Rosss paintings, photos and thoughts
at: http://tullycavan.blogspot.com.au
For a peek at Richard Diebenkorns Ocean Park paintings:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Diebenkorn
I have an old Bible which contains beautifully drawn illustrations by Horace Knowles. They are
black and white line drawings, very detailed and realistic, and I remember as a very small child
being magnetised by them. Not so long ago, my sister was leang through this Bible, and
noticed how good these pictures were. Then she saw something important that I had never
been conscious of: there are no pictures of Jesus in this Bible, and few of people in general.
There are fascinating drawings of ancient musical instruments, of plants and
animals and birds. There are ships and buildings, milestones and maps, but no Esther, no Peter,
and certainly no Jesus. The book of Esther shows a potted tree, a bird, a branch, part of a pillar
and a view over the city we are left to imagine Queen Esther.
The calling of the disciples by the sea of Galilee in Luke shows a close up picture of two
hands holding up a shing net, with a boat in the distance behind it. Peters denial is of course
a rooster crowing in a courtyard. The feeding of the ve thousand shows the ve round pita
breads and two sh. Even for the crucixion there is simply a picture of the walls of Jerusalem
and the hills outside, where you can see three very distant, empty crosses. There is something
very powerful about these pictures of absence. It adds mystery to the stories and stimulates the
imagination but more than that I think it conveys something of
the awesomeness of God. Im glad to have had these drawings
to pore over and ponder as a child.
This month TGA begins a series of articles on the arts in
Gippsland. Gippsland diocese seems to be blessed with quite
a number of artists of various kinds. I hope you enjoy reading
about them, and nd something in their art that moves you to
praise the One from whom all creativity comes.
The arts in Gippsland
From the editor
Jan Down