S

easpray residents are

overjoyed by the State
Government`s recent
decision to delay approvals Ior
on-shore gas exploration until
at least July 2015.
Residents have run a long
campaign, and were preparing
to blockade Lakes Oil, the
company planning to conduct
horizontal drilling Ior gas close
to the coastal town oI Seaspray.
Archdeacon Philip Muston
commented on the news:
'It`s great that the concerns oI
the local communities on this
mining issue are being heard by
the State Government and being
given Iurther consideration.
Congratulations to the people
oI Seaspray on this victory Ior
their community.
Lakes Oil put in a drilling
application to the Energy
Minister, Russell Northe, in
September last year, but the
decision had been long delayed
due to community opposition.
Lakes Oil began laying a
new access road to the proposed
drilling site on their land
early in May. In response,
community members had
set up a blockade camp on a
neighbouring property.
Residents had been Iurther
angered to hear that Lakes Oil
Director Rob Annells would
not rule out legal action against
the Victorian State Government
iI they did not approve the
horizontal drilling licence
in Seaspray. This was reported
in the Weeklv Times Now
on 22/5/2014 (weeklytimesnow.
com.au).
Local business owner,
Glenda Bunting, said 'Mr
Annells might think horizontal
drilling instead oI Iurther
Iracking is a good compromise,
but we do not.
Mr. Annells told TGA that
Lakes Oil`s original plan Ior
the site was to Irack Ior the gas,
but because oI the moratorium
on Iracking, they had to change
their plans. They decided they
could use the same method
as Ior the oII-shore wells,
which go down very deep to
the sandstone, and then drill
horizontally.
He said 'We`re not going
anywhere near the water table,
explaining that the sandstone
is 1.2 1.5 km deep, while
the water table is close to the
surIace. He added, 'I`ve got
grandchildren. I don`t want to
pollute the water table.
Mr. Annells claims that the
project would not aIIect Iarms,
saying that 'it`s just bracken,
and that Lakes Oil would plant
trees or pasture to improve the
land as part oI their clean up
aIter the project was fnished.
But Seaspray beeI producer,
Tracey McGuiness, said 'We
have a thriving Iood growing,
beeI, dairy and tourism industry
in Seaspray ... We are not
prepared to compromise on the
saIety oI our community and
the industries that support us
and produce Iood Ior the whole
state. On the water issue, she
said, 'This type oI drilling is
risky, experimental and still
puts our precious underground
water at risk, as all well casings
eventually Iail.
Lock the Gate Victorian
Coordinator, Ursula Alquier,
congratulated the Seaspray
community on their win and
also said 'It`s a huge step in
the right direction towards a
total ban.


Peace
with justice
page 2

AIternative energy
for GippsIand?
page 3

Synod
reports
page 6 and 7
Finding
a voice
page 12
!"#
$%&'()*%
Volume 111, Number 5, June 2014 Published in Gippsland Diocese since 1904

Deconsecration
at Moe
page 5
,(--.'*%/

A nation dened by war? Page 10
SYNOD AT KORUMBURRA...see reports pages 6 and 7
Yarram
Photo: Jan Down
Photo courtesy Lock The Gate
Photo: Stephen Issell
Seaspray claims win against drilling
by Jan Down
!,$
Page 2 The GippsIand AngIican June 2014
Member of Australasian Religious
Press Association
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Association of Victoria
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: [email protected]

Layout by Devine Design
Printed by Rural Press Printing,
30-32 Grandlee Drive,
Wendouree, Victoria, 3355.
The editor reserves the right of
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included in each issue. The Gippsland
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in submitted material are those
of conributors.
Advertising Rates
Please contact the editor for all
advertising submissions, costing and
enquiries, including about inserts
in the newspaper. A full advertising
schedule can be sent out upon
request.
!"#
$%&'()*%
,(--.'*%/
Index
Seaspray claims 1
win against drilling

Letter from the bishop 2

Alternative energy 3
for Gippsland?

Around the Parishes 4-5

37th session of Synod 6
Korumburra

Speaking out for 6
asylum seekers

Review of Parish 6
Administration Act

How many slaves 6
work for you?

Support for Gahini Diocese 7
redirected to parishes

Call to change banks 7
for integrity of creation

From the schools 8

For young disciples 9

Presidents Address 10-11
at Synod

Finding a voice 12
Jim Connelly

Diocesan calendar 12


5
That's the interest you can earn when you deposit your money with
the Anglican Development Fund (A.D.F.) for the Diocese of Gippsland.
Enjoy good rates of interest on your deposit. Current interest rates
for deposits with the A.D.F.
3.75% At Call
4.75% Term Deposits to $20,000
5.00% Term Deposits $20,000+
We'll make your money work in low risk investment opportunities,
!"#$%&'(% *&+ !,#-*. /012 '(*# *&+ 3'#1+.+ *# .+,4+ *&+ 5'..'#(
of the Church here in Gippsland.
What a great opportunity to Save with your deposit and serve the
church at the same time.
Consider also that there are "# $%%& #' ()*'+%& to operate your
Account with the A.D.F. !t's all part of our free and friendly service.
So, here is your opportunity to learn the art of Giving while Receiving.
Give us a call on ,-./ 0122 3-22
or write to The Registrar at P O Box 928, Sale, 3850,
or you can drop in to the Diocesan Registry at +53 Raymond Street,
Sale for an Application Form to open an 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
here the church
understands itselI
to be missional, it
has vitality. Strictly speaking,
the church does not have a
mission but God`s mission in
the world has a church. Our
aim in being church is to join
with God in God`s mission.
And our challenge is to fnd
the language that has traction
today to express to others the
substance oI God`s mission.
Essentially, the mission oI
God in the world is to establish
peace with justice, that Ior
which every human heart truly
yearns. The Old Testament
prophets spoke oI God`s desire
to establish 'The Peaceable
Kingdom in all the earth, a
harmony oI existence between
creator and the created in
every dimension oI creation;
between God and people;
between peoples; and between
people and the rest oI creation,
including even the wild animals.
It is a beautiIul image oI peace
with justice as the giIt oI God
through God`s reconciling
mission in the world. Such kind
oI language, I believe, still has
traction in our world.
In the frst place, however, it is
not simply about language. It is
about being; integrity oI being.
People entrust themselves to
people oI integrity; to those who
are demonstrably trustworthy.
Unless there is an integrity oI
being in our church liIe, it does
not matter what language we use
to speak oI God`s purposes Ior
this world.
This was certainly true oI
Jesus in his day. The crowds
recognised an inherent
authority in Jesus 'unlike that
oI the Scribes and Pharisees,
primarily because he acted with
integrity. His language was
not all that diIIerent Irom
theirs but his integrity was
remarkably diIIerent.
It was revealed in his attitude
towards others, marked by his
humility and his concern Ior their
well-being, and particularly Ior
the well-being oI those Ior whom
the powerIul in society had little
or no care: the marginalised;
those considered unrighteous or
sinners; and the dispossessed.
Describing Jesus` integrity
gives us Iurther language Ior
God`s mission that has traction
in today`s world. His integrity
is revealed in his consistent
working Ior peace; his seeking oI
justice and his showing oI mercy,
beginning with the inclusion oI
the poor and disenIranchised
'sinners or 'outsiders. But
is this language still enough to
express the substance oI God`s
mission in the world today?
One trouble Ior us in fnding
good language is that words
like peace, justice, mercy
and inclusion have their own
baggage now. For many, peace
is just about 'my little bit oI
peace or absence oI confict,
while justice only means
treating everyone the same. This
is Iar Irom the Biblical concept
oI peace with justice, which
demands a recognition that it is
not just about me, or even just
about us, but demands the active
pursuit oI peace with justice Ior
all and any, even our enemies. It
requires a bias towards the poor,
a bias decried by the rich and
powerIul as unjust.
For others, mercy may be
seen as unwarranted soItness,
especially towards those whom
they believe deserve to be
treated harshly because oI who
they are or what they have done.
This contrasts strongly with the
mercy oI God, shown towards
those who, in the eyes oI others,
least deserve it. Again, inclusion
is seen by some today as
ethically laissez-Iaire or unclear.



This contrasts with the inclusion
oI God who welcomes the
outcast with open arms, much
to the chagrin oI the righteous.
Failure to understand biblical
concepts oI peace with justice,
mercy and inclusion arise in the
Iailure to understand what lies at
the heart oI the Gospel oI Jesus
Christ; grace shown towards
everyone and anyone, including
you and me. Living out the
biblical concepts oI peace with
justice, mercy and inclusion is
possible only in the embrace oI
grace, God`s undeserved and
unmerited Iavour. Only in the
experience oI grace can we live
by grace.
To be a missional church is
simply in integrity to be Christ-
like and in grace to point to
Jesus Christ in all we are and
all we do. It is to be present in
community with an integrity
oI being that assures all those
whose lives we touch that we
are there alone Ior their well-
being; that we are constantly
and consistently committed
to peace with justice, mercy
and inclusion.
Where we can live out that
demand I am convinced people
will be drawn anew to Iaith in
Jesus Christ. Then our churches
will grow as we participate
in the mission oI God in
the world.

Letter from the Bishop
Peace with justice, mercy and inclusion
An extract from the President's Address at Synod, Saturday 17th May, 2014
!,$
June 2014 The GippsIand AngIican Page 3
Alternative energy for Gippsland?
by Jan Down
W
hile community
opposition to coal
and coal seam
gas mining in Gippsland is
mainly Iocussed on threats
to agriculture, water, health,
and the general amenity oI
the land, many people are
also concerned about the
need to reduce dependence
on Iossil Iuels in the light
oI climate change. They
believe Gippsland should be
developing renewable energy,
such as wind and solar power.
The Gippsland Climate
Change Network comprises
50 member groups, including
government departments and
agencies, private businesses,
community groups and other
organisations, covering the
six local government areas
across greater Gippsland. It
has partnered with the six
shires to create Sustainability
Gippsland, an on-line
resource which lists dozens
oI sustainability groups.
Blair Donaldson who, until
recently, was managing the
website Ior Gippsland Friends
oI Future Generations, sees
great potential Ior renewables
in Gippsland. He said, 'I
would love to see the area
become a clean technology
centre, most practically
in the Latrobe Valley and
surrounding areas. I would
also like to see more wind
Iarms in the area. We have the
resource, we have the hills
and we could be providing
jobs and clean energy to a
Iair portion oI Victoria.
'I cannot see why
Gippsland cannot become a
leader in education, health,
technology, communications
and manuIacturing industries.
We have the population
and the expertise, the only
thing missing is the political
will. The shortsightedness
oI our politicians makes me
despair. I don`t like the idea
oI generations coming aIter
us cleaning up our mess.
The Mallacoota Sustainable
Energy Group has recently
partnered with SPAusNet
and the East Gippsland
Shire Council in a Ieasibility
study to investigate Iuture
options Ior low carbon
energy supply and improved
security to Mallacoota.
The Anglican church in
Gippsland also has people
who believe we should be
moving to renewables. The
Bishop oI Gippsland, the
Rt. Rev. John McIntyre,
said 'The elephant in the
room Ior Iracking is climate
change. All the energy going
into stopping Iracking in
Gippsland constantly opens
up the question oI where our
power will come Irom iI not
Irom burning Iossil Iuels,
including tight gas.
Archdeacon Edie Ashley
sees climate change as a
social justice issue. 'This is a
dilemma, as on the one hand
the developed nations created
the problem and used a
disproportionate amount oI
the world`s non-renewable
Iossil Iuels and energy; the
developing nations want
to catch up` and use their
share oI the world`s non
renewable Iuel to create their
national economic wealth,
BUT the solution to the
problem oI climate change
will only be Iound when all
Iind a way to operate as a
global community... and take
responsibility together.
On alternative energy,
Edie said 'We need to invest
in technologies that use
renewable Iuel, that take
advantage oI the beneIits oI
the environment in which
we live, that are clean and
support sustainable practices
as we work to saIeguard
the integrity oI creation and
sustain and renew the liIe oI
the earth` .
Archdeacon Philip
Muston raised the issue
oI aIIordability, both Ior
churches looking at investing
in renewable energy, and Ior
the region as a whole. He
said that most parishes in the
diocese are 'struggling to
make ends meet, so they are
unlikely to spend money on,
Ior example, a new solar hot
water system, when the gas
or electric system they have
is still Iunctional. Philip
extrapolated to Gippsland:
'It`s the same thing on a
bigger scale. Who is going
to supply the billions oI
dollars to do it |invest in
renewables|... It`s a big
statement to say we should
close down the brown coal
power stations. People would
lose their jobs. He said he
is against Iracking, calling
it 'a Ialse saviour, and
concluded 'Wouldn`t it be
great iI we could work out a
way that we could burn coal
that was clean?
One not-Ior-proIit research
and education organisation,
Beyond Zero Emissions,
believes it has an aIIordable
solution. In partnership with
the University oI Melbourne`s
Energy Institute, BZE has
published a Stationary
Energy Plan (2010), which
they say is 'a Iully costed
transition plan Ior getting
Australia to zero emissions in
ten years using commercially
available technology. The
cost to households, they say,
would be $8 per week.
The Plan includes 60
solar thermal power with
molten salt storage, providing
24 hour electricity (not just
when the sun shines) 40
wind power, and a Iurther
2 backup via biomass
and hydroelectricity.
They say they 'accept the
Iindings oI the most current
science, which shows that
we have already allowed
climate change to go too Iar,
and must act immediately
to reduce our levels oI
greenhouse gas emissions to
zero and below.
On the question oI what
is included Ior Gippsland
in the Stationary Energy
Plan, Ben Courtice, BZE`s
Media Coordinator said it
'includes major wind energy
generation on the south
Gippsland coast... We don`t
envisage large scale solar in
the area, as the sunlight is
much more reliable north oI
the Divide, so Mildura would
be the obvious place Ior that.
'One common sense idea
Ior the Valley is to use the large
engineering workIorce there
to manuIacture components
Ior the wind Iarms (or other
clean energy technology
like solar, electric trains,
or whatever).
Currently there are two
wind Iarms in Gippsland, at
Wonthaggi and Toora, and
another, Ball Hills Wind
Farm, is under construction.
Others are planned, but
current law prohibits wind
Iarms Irom being built within
two kilometres oI homes.
The question oI just
how urgent the problem
oI climate change is, is
critical to the response. The
Climate Council (Iormerly
the government-established
Climate Commission but
now an independent body)
says that 'most oI the Iossil
Iuel reserves must stay in the
ground iI we are to stabilise
the climate this century.
They quote the recent IPCC
report as indicating that
'the world needs to at least
triple the use oI clean power
sources, like solar and wind,
by 2050.

FOR FURTHER NFORMATON:
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We need to invest in
technologies that use
renewable fuel, that
take advantage of
the benets of
the environment in
which we live...
WInd Farm - Wonthaggi Photo Jane Peters

O
n the Anzac weekend
this year, 36 people
associated with St
Mary`s, Mirboo North, went to
Camp Coolamatong to have a
'chill out weekend, spending
time together and connecting
with those who are on the 'Iringe
oI our church congregation.
This is the second time we
have been to this Scripture
Union camp and both weekends
have been very much enjoyed by
those who participated.
Coolamatong is a school camp
so the accommodation consists
oI numerous comIortable bunk
rooms, including three small
cottages which have their own
shower/toilet. There is a large
dining/sitting room which has
an open fre and gas heater
making the room comIortable
and Iunctional. A commercial
kitchen makes catering easy, and
a relaxed attitude by the Camp
managers helps to make our time
there Iun-flled and stress Iree.
On the grounds oI the Camp
are a variety oI activities that
were enjoyed by the children
(and some oI the big kids)
including billy carts, table
tennis, swings, ropes course
and bike riding but the
most popular activity was the
canoeing on Lake Victoria.
Many oI the campers had a go at
canoeing, young and old alike,
with several Ialling into the
water! Some oI the kids braved
the moderate temperatures and
went on the swing rope into
the water. There was always a
card game or a puzzle on the
go in the dining room, with the
young kids having a ball going
between the outside activities
and the indoor table activities.
The best part, though, was
spending quality time with the
partners oI parishioners, those
people who stay at home on
Sundays when their spouses
go oII to church, and also the
Iamilies who are involved in
our outreach ministries such
as MOPS (Mothers oI Pre-
schoolers). We have a vision
Ior our camps where we can
invite and include people who
are on the Iringe oI our church
community, and get to know
them and build relationships
with them. However, many
oI these people struggle
fnancially. So thanks to
an Anglicare grant which
subsidised their costs, they
and their Iamilies were able to
attend. We are already looking
forward to next years camp!
Anam Cara Quiet Day
~The Wounded Healer
by Carolyn Raymond
!,$
Around The Parishes
The Wounded Healer was
the theme of a Quiet Day
at St James, Traralgon, on
Saturday 10th May.
Having been inspired
by the book of the
same name by Henri
Nouwen, we wanted to
tell his story, and our own
stories, alongside The
Story, and so deepen our
spiritual understanding.
We were richly blessed
in having as speakers the
Rev Anne Turner and Val
Lawrence. As both speakers
underlined, we are all
broken and wounded. Our
brokenness affects us in
different ways. Awareness
and understanding of our
wounding is an opportunity
for healing of ourselves
and with Gods grace to
support others in their
healing. Being vulnerable
before others encourages
intimacy, opening us to
the presence of God in
ourselves and in others.
The power of faithfulness
in prayer reveals the love of
God within our wounding.
The day included times
of worship and also
times of silent prayer and
meditation. St James
church is a wonderful
building in which to nd a
sacred space to pray. The
people of St James helped
the running of the Quiet
Day in many different ways.
They truly gave the gift
of their hospitality to all
who attended from across
the diocese.
Anam Cara is a
Contemplative Community.
We host Quiet Days in
different venues across
the Diocese, so that
people committed to
he inner journey can come
and share, learn and
pray together.
For more information, go
to anamcaragippsland.org
Page 4 The GippsIand AngIican June 2014
St. Mary's Mirboo North FamiIy Camp

by Denise Martin, on behalf of St. Marys Camp Committee 2014
Beppo & Boppo'
The Rev. Geoff Pittawav pushing, Geoff Martin and granddaughter
Dinistv Francis riding.
Matthew Cook braves the cool water
Foreground. (left) Leslev McFarland, (right) Pam Pincini,
background. (left) Flvnn Burgess/Pincini, (right) Tarni Bartlett
Hills near Korumburra, photo by Jan Down
T
he Parish oI Moe will
commence a new
journey in its mission
to the community when it de-
consecrates and secularises the
Church oI the Holy Trinity on
15th June, aIter a Eucharist
celebrated by the Bishop at
2.30pm, to be Iollowed by
a time oI Iellowship over
aIternoon tea in Trinity Hall.
The Parish has taken this
step as it looks towards its
redevelopment within planned
new Iacilities centred on the
property where Saint Luke`s
Church is located.
It is never an easy decision
to close a church, especially
on a site where a church has
been active Ior 119 years and
in a building that has served
as a church Ior 46 years.
The decision was taken aIter
lengthy consultation and prayer
which led the parish to believe
that this was the best way to
minister to the community in
the Iuture.
The planned new
development includes a new
worship centre, hall, kitchen,
oIfce and meeting areas Irom
which a variety oI programs
can be conducted. It is intended
that the new centre will be built
Irom the proceeds oI the sale
oI property such as the Holy
Trinity site.
The service on Sunday
June 15th will give us the
opportunity oI giving thanks
Ior all that Holy Trinity has
meant to the Anglican Parish oI
Moe and the Moe community
in general. We recognise that
iI we are to move Iorward we
need to pay respect to our past
heritage and see that the vision
that led to the building oI the
original and the current Holy
Trinity Churches will live on
in the new complex.
The Parish invites all who
have had a connection with
Holy Trinity to join us as we
celebrate an important part oI
our liIe as church.
June 2014 The GippsIand AngIican Page 5
!,$

Around The Parishes
Deconsecration at Moe
on Sunday 1une 15th 2014
O
n Wednesday June
11th (St Barnabas
Day) the Reverend
John Goodman will celebrate
the 60th Anniversary oI his
ordination to the priesthood
at a Solemn Eucharist at St
Luke`s Moe commencing at
6pm Iollowed by a dinner in
Saint Luke`s Hall.
Fr John was ordained
Priest by Bishop Arnold Lo-
mas Wilde at St. Barnabas,
West Wyalong, in 1954, aIter
having been ordained deacon
at Holy Trinity Dubbo the
previous year.
His ministry took him to
Dubbo, the Lockhart River
Mission, Violet Town, Ed-
enhope, Sebastopol Bun-
ninyong, Timboon, Elliston,
Lock, Wudinna, Brought-
on Valley/Crystal Brook
and Donald beIore retiring
in Gippsland where he has
assisted at Traralgon, Rose-
dale, Churchill, Boolar-
ra, Moe, Newborough and
Bunyip. He currently resides
in Moe where he is an Asso-
ciate Priest oI the Parish.
All are invited to the

Eucharist, and iI you wish
to come to the Dinner please
reply to the Moe Anglican
Parish, PO Box 224 Moe,
or by phoning the oIfce:
0351271119 by Monday
June 2nd.
John Goodman
60th anniversary of priesthoood

by Graeme Nicholls
Nancve and John Goodman with vouth group member
Page 6


T
he second session oI
the 37th Synod Ior the
Diocese oI Gippsland
was held at Korumburra
Irom 16th 18th May, 2014,
beginning with Iellowship over
meals held at various locations
around the town on the
Friday night.
The Rev. Jenny Ramage,
rector oI St. Paul`s Korumburra,
and the congregation oIIered
Synod members warm
hospitality over the weekend.
The Synod Eurcharist was
held at St. Paul`s at 8.30 a.m.
on Saturday morning. Synod
members then moved a short
distance up the road to the
Italian Social Club, where
oIfcial business began at
10:00 am., Iollowing morning
tea and opening prayers led by
the Bishop`s Chaplain, the Rev.
Jo White.
The Bishop oI Gippsland,
the Rt. Rev. John McIntyre
delivered the President`s
Address, covering a wide range
oI topics including:
the importance oI being a
missional church
querying current trends in
ANZAC Day celebrations

the Iederal government`s
treatment oI asylum seekers

the government`s
Commission oI Audit
and the Iederal budget

the removal oI the carbon
tax concerns about Iracking
and brown coal allocations

comments on a motion to
establish a corporate entity
to enable diocesan clergy to
be included under Work
Cover arrangements

mention oI individual
people matters

Bishop John was battling
against his on-going illness
during Synod, chairing sessions
but then resting briefy rather
than socialising.
Reports were received Irom
diocesan organisations and
the two grammar schools.
Motions oI particular interest
and concern to Synod members
were those concerning the
treatment oI asylum seekers;
modern slavery and human
traIfcking; supporting Gahini
Diocese in Rwanda; and a
motion requesting a change to
diocesan banking arrangements
in order to saIeguard the
integrity oI creation.
On Saturday night, Synod
members were surprised by
a visit Irom three clowns,
Beans, Smudge and Magilla
closely associated with the Rev.
Brenda Burney, the Rev. Jenny
Ramage, and the Rev. GeoII
Pittaway who proceeded to
hold a picnic on stage, with
their backs to the audience.
Despite Magilla`s protestations,
Beans and Smudge were
convinced they were
alone, until the very end oI
their 'private, and very Iunny
conversation.
Entertainment was also
provided by two very
impressive singers, Phil Beggs
Iollowed by Grahame Hastie.
Phil Beggs, who writes some
oI his own songs, also played
guitar and sang at the Synod
Eucharist and the service on
Sunday morning.
Sunday morning included
some work in parish groups
to discuss plans Ior
implementing the Diocesan
Strategic Directions vision.
Each parish created post-
it notes on each oI the three
aspects oI the vision, which
were put onto display boards.
Trends across the diocese
were then able to be identifed.
Synod 2014
Sale Yarram
The Venerable Edie Ashley
L-R John Delzoppo, Bishop John McIntyre
and Rowena Armstrong QC
SECOND SESSION OF
37TH SYNOD AT KORUMBURRA

Review of Parish Administration Act
- ~potentially quite radical
Archdeacon Philip Muston`s motion proposed a review
oI the Parish Administration Act 'in the light oI changing
circumstances, with a view to creating the possibility oI
greater fexibility in parish governance.
Philip`s speech raised the question oI how parishes are
defned and mentioned the idea oI 'non-geographical
expressions oI church. Other possibilities canvassed included
a sabbatical` Ior church councillors aIter a number oI years,
and an age limit Ior church councillors and church wardens.
The seconder oI the motion, the Very Rev. Steve Clarke,
said that 'this is not a modest proposal, but rather that it was
'potentially quite radical and had great potential in helping
to turn Gippsland into a missional diocese. He urged a 'bold
review oI the Act.
The motion was passed without dissent.
How many slaves work for you?
Speaking out for asylum seekers
T
he Very Rev. Steve
Clarke, Dean oI Sale
Cathedral, moved that
Synod request the Bishop
to write to both the Prime
Minister and the Leader oI the
Federal Opposition, urging the
government (in summary) to
take immediate and suIfcient
steps to ensure that all persons
intercepted on their way to
or arriving on our shores, by
whatever means, are treated
with dignity, respect and in a
way which does not impact
adversely on their physical or
mental well-being`.
While this motion was
uncontroversial within Synod,
it generated strong interest
and discussion. Several
people rose to speak in Iavour
and also to urge everyone
to speak out on behalI oI
asylum seekers. There
were no speakers against
the motion.
The Rev. Sue Jacka Irom
TraIalgar, seconder oI the
motion, encouraged Synod
members to write to their
local politicians, who she
said had sometimes been
'rapped over the knuckles
Ior speaking out themselves.
They thereIore needed the
support oI constituents. She
also encouraged members
to do something in their
parishes, such as holding a
dinner to welcome reIugees.
Sue said that the Welcome to
My Place Ior Dinner program
available through World Vision
(see welcometomyplace.org.
au) provides training and
resources to help people oIIer
hospitality.
Sarah Gover, who also
spoke in Iavour oI the motion,
said that in her electorate
85 oI people agreed with
the government`s policy on
asylum seekers. This again
highlighted the need Ior
people to speak out.
Another speaker, Canon
JeII Richardson, told the
story oI how his parish had
advocated Ior a group oI
Chinese national students in
Australia aIter the Tianneman
Square massacre in 1989,
and how, aIter a long
campaign, they were
eventually all granted
permanent residency. He
strongly urged people to
'persevere and endure
in their support oI
asylum seekers.
A motion concerning the treatment of asylum seekers received
strong and passionate support from Synod.
The Rev. Graham Toohill, from Leongatha, brought a motion
to Synod afrming opposition to all forms of modern slavery
and human trafcking, and urging Synod to write to Anti-slavery
Australia to enquire about ways the Diocese could support
efforts to stop these practices from operating in Australia.
The motion also asked that Synod encourage all Gippsland
parishes to pray for and support the work of those who are
struggling to free slaves.
Heather Scott, from Leongatha, in seconding the motion,
explained how much cheaper a slave is today compared with
1850. She directed attention to the handouts on tables providing
further information, and a survey people can complete in order
to nd out how many slaves work for them.
(See slaveryfootprint.org)
After an amendment to include to the word and overseas
after the words in Australia, the motion was passed
without opposition.
Page 6 The GippsIand AngIican June 2014
St Pauls Korumburra
More detailed reports follow,
and highlights from the
Presidents Address are found on
pages 2, 10 and
T
he Rev. Sue Jacka Irom
TraIalgar brought a
late motion to Synod
on Saturday morning, calling
on Bishop-in-Council to
investigate 'changing banking
arrangements Irom the
ANZ bank, which fnances
unsustainable mining projects,
to a fnancial institution whose
policies and procedures enable
us to Iulfl the FiIth Mark oI
Mission with integrity. The
motion also called on individual
Anglicans and parishes to
'careIully consider their own
banking arrangements.
The FiIth Mark oI Mission
Ior the Anglican Communion
is 'To strive to saIeguard
the integrity oI creation and
sustain and renew the liIe oI
the earth.
The motion was presented
late because the Rev. Sue Jacka
only became aware oI the issue
a Iew days beIore Synod met.
However, she was convinced it
was too important to be leIt out
oI this year`s Synod.
As time ran out Ior the motion
to be properly addressed,
Synod gave leave Ior Sue to
speak briefy about it aIter
the scheduled ending time on
Sunday morning.
Sue explained, 'Our banks
are Iunding a big problem.
Since 2008, the Big 4` banks
Westpac, Commonwealth,
NAB and ANZ have loaned
almost $19 billion to new coal
and gas projects in Australia.
These projects threaten our
land, water, health, the climate
and precious ecosystems like
the Great Barrier ReeI.
More inIormation can
be Iound at 350.org and
goIossilIree.org/.
The most controversial
motion brought to Synod this
year was the proposal that
Synod donate $10,000 to
the Diocese of Gahini for the
training of evangelists.
The motion was brought
by the Rev. Graham Toohill
of Leongatha.
The controversy was not
about whether the diocese of
Gippsland should nancially
support Gahini (there was
full support for this) but rather
how that support should
be given.
Synod was divided over
whether individual parishes
should raise funds, or whether
Synod as a whole should
make a donation. There were
several speakers both for and
against the motion.
Some speakers were
concerned that although there
is a surplus anticipated in
the Budget for 2014/2015,
there is always uncertainty
in making such predictions.
There were also questions
raised about whether the
Gahini Diocese request from
for funds had gone through
the proper processes.
The Very Rev. Steve Clarke
proposed an amendment
to exclude part b) of the
motion, which was the actual
proposal for Synod to donate
$10,000. The Rev. Jenny
Ramage argued in support
of this amendment, that the
parishes are the diocese,
and that if parishes work to
raise the funds, they will be
involved, and will have a more
personal sense of connection
with Gahini people.
Tom Killingbeck spoke
against the amendment
saying It cuts the heart out of
the motion.
The Rev. Geoff Pittaway,
in tentative support of the
amendment, spoke about how
his parish of Mirboo North has
supported Gahini.
Mirboo North has had a link
with the Parish of Kawangire
in Gahini since the two
Dioceses started in covenant
relationship. Even though that
connection seems now been
to be no longer a formalised
relationship, Mirboo North,
like some other parishes,
have kept up the relationship
with their link parish.
Mirboo North has Link
Missionaries (through CMS)
in Rwanda Tim & Catherine
Walker whom they support
as a couple who are helping
the people of Rwanda in their
jobs as doctor and teacher
respectively.
Geoff said, We also
support 1214 students in
their higher schooling. This
requires about $300 per year
per student which is funded
by our parishioners and some
people from outside the
congregations in association
with parishioners. We have
watched several of these
students graduate and go on
to get jobs which support their
families, communities and
their country.
After much discussion, the
amendment was narrowly
carried. The nal motion
passed by Synod was
as follows:
That this Synod:
a. Afrms its support for the
Rwandan Diocese of
Gahini and its link
parishes;
b. Invites parishes to
contribute to a nancial
gift from the Diocese of
Gippsland to the Diocese
of Gahini in this signicant
year in the life of Rwanda.
Call to change banks for integrity of creation

Maffra
Synod 2014
Strategic Directions planning
Synod at work
Support Ior Gahini Diocese re-directed to parishes
June 2014 The GippsIand AngIican Page 7
Multi-tasking Svnod members
six knitters spotted and one embroiderer
!"#$%&
()*+,
-)./01)*2
/3)4*
5)667 89:; 88::
Kangaroo Paw
bv the Jenerable
Edie Ashlev
The Rev. Rich Lanham
with post-it notes
Sale Yarram
DIOCESAN RETREAT
A time for spiritual renewal
Friday evening 12 September
to Saturday afternoon 13 September
at The Abbey, Raymond Island
Led by Bishop John McIntyre
For bookings and further information contact
The Abbey 5156 6580 or
[email protected]

Page 8 The GippsIand AngIican June 2014
!,$
!"#$% #' $%( !"#$% '#$(
A
selection oI Year 11 students Irom St Paul`s made a selfess move to alter
tradition at the recent Presentation Ball. They decided that the traditional
giIt` given to a partner at the Ball should instead become a donation
to OxIam. Over $600 was raised which is enough to Iund a water system Ior a
community through OxIam.
The 29th St Paul`s Presentation Ball welcomed over 827 attendees in the Secondary
School Gymnasium which was transIormed back to the 1920s in keeping with the
theme oI The Great Gatsby. Lots oI glitz and glamour set the scene while the St Paul`s
big band played as part oI the presentations. St Paul`s students Irom many year levels
helped on the evening either in the band, as waiting staII, ushers, and even the M.C.
by Daniel Lowe
A
s part oI our Warragul
Secondary Campus
Easter Service on the
last day oI Term 1, three Year
12 students put themselves in
the fring line to tackle some
diIfcult questions. Sitting on
a couch (to provide at least
some comIort) in Iront oI the
entire Secondary School, they
answered a series oI questions
about their Christian Iaith.
Beginning with a brieI
explanation oI how each oI
them had been infuenced in
their own Iaith journey, the
questions quickly moved to
tougher ground. Some oI the
questions they tackled included:
What about all the hypocrisy
in the church?

II Christians are so nice,
why is there so much abuse
being reported?

Why doesn`t God just show
up and prove He exists?

How can you talk about a
loving God when there is
so much evil in the world?
The way the students
responded to these questions
was impressive. Each oI them
demonstrated a thoughtIulness,
maturity and graciousness
in their answers which was
appreciated by all students,
regardless oI their own views
on the matter.

The Rev. Daniel Lowe
is chaplain at St. Pauls
Anglican Grammar School.
From The Schools
St Paul`s students Iund a water system through OxIam
The 2nd Annual Jindivick Antique
and Collectables Fair
Sunday 29th June 9:00 am until 3:30 pm
At the Jinidivick Hall Jacksons Track, Jindivick
Admission $5.00
In aid of St James, Jindivick
Contact Faye Parke 5628 5229
Maffra
`
June 2014 The GippsIand AngIican Page 9
!,$
God wants you to be all he created you to be
The Great Debate:
Is Jesus/God relevant for today?
Saturday 21st 1une Loch Masonic Hall
7:30 pm for 8:00 pm start
BYO drinks and nibbles, tea and coIIee provided
$5 per head Iunds raised go to
Milpara Community House, Korumburra
Teams: The Very Rev. Steve Clarke, Bishop John
McIntyre, Dave Perryman and the Rev. Sue Jacka
v. The Loch team
Come and enjoy some lively and honest conversation
about God/Jesus
SYNOD SATURDAY NI GHT ENTERTAI NMENT
Phll Beggs sings at the Synod dinner
Smudge and Beans examine dessert Magilla is helped into costume

Rich Lanham
writes to young disciples

When I was young I couldnt
seem to get the idea that
doing the wrong thing would
only end in trouble. Now its
not like I had no choice or
didnt know what I was doing
I just didnt know how to
change, and I got used to my
role as the bad kid.
Changing your behaviour
or beliefs can be very hard.
Theres an old saying, You
cant teach an old dog new
tricks. The idea is that once
you are set in your ways,
youre stuck there.
I know its hard to
change, but denitely not
impossible. I believed what
people said about me and I
was sure that I would always
be bad and couldnt change,
but thats the great lie. We
can always change, we can
always come to Jesus and say
we are sorry and be forgiven.
There is a verse in 1 Peter
that tells how the enemy is
always trying to keep us from
trusting God.
1 Peter 5:8 says Be on
your guard and stay awake.
Your enemy, the devil, is like a
roaring lion, sneaking around
to nd someone to attack.
My belief that I was no good
or too bad was an attack.
The enemy never wants us
to believe that God loves us.
God wants to see us become
all that he created us to be.
Jesus knows that we can
become stuck in our ways.
He also knows that we have
an enemy that would like us
to stay stuck and never know
that God loves us.
God loves us so much that
he has done all he can to
make it possible for us to be
the people he created us to
be. A people who know God,
who love God and love his
creation. In fact although we
can feel distant from God and
our lives seem so separated
from him, he reaches out
to us. Even though we have
lived showing no love to God,
he smothers us with his love
so we will know that we
are his children. Read the
following passage:
John 3:16-21 CEV
God loved the people of
this world so much that he
gave his only Son, so that
everyone who has faith in
him will have eternal life
and never really die. God
did not send his Son into
the world to condemn its
people. He sent him to
save them! No one who
has faith in Gods Son
will be condemned. But
everyone who doesnt
have faith in him has
already been condemned
for not having faith in
Gods only Son.
The light has come into
the world, and people
who do evil things are
judged guilty because
they love the dark more
than the light. People who
do evil hate the light and
wont come to the light,
because it clearly shows
what they have done.
But everyone who lives
by the truth will come to
the light, because they
want others to know that
God is really the one
doing what they do.
Jesus died to set us free
from the power of sin. Sin
is turning away from God or
living as though Gods way
is unimportant, unnecessary
or nonexistent. Sin, the
Bible says leads to death
eternal separation from God.
Jesus came to give us life
through faith in him.
So for me I now know
that God loves me and that
Jesus has set me free from
the power of sin. Now I want
to live a life that instead of
turning away from God turns
back to him. Thats what
repentance is. A life where
we look to Jesus as the
example of how we should
live, love and act. And as we
become more like Jesus we
become all God created us
to be.


PRAYER:
Father God, thank you
for loving me even when I
havent loved you. Thank you
for sending Jesus to free me
from the power of sin. Lord
Jesus please help me to
know you, to love you and to
follow your example. I want
to be the person you created
me to be. Amen
God bless you
Rich Lanham is the Diocesan Youth Development ofcer
by Bishop John McIntyre


The ANZAC myth
is not true
I
have to admit to being
intrigued and, iI honest, a
little disturbed, by current
attitudes to ANZAC Day.
Admittedly I am a child oI
the 60s and 70s who watched
the ANZAC myth sink into
oblivion and insignifcance,
and I was happy to see
that happening.
Please don`t get me wrong
when I say this. Both my
grandIathers Iought in WW1 as
did my Iather in WW2, while
my mother was in the Women`s
Air Force in WW2. I recognise
the huge sacrifces they and so
many others made, and their
courage and resourceIulness in
times oI great devastation and
violence. That is certainly part
oI our history and is rightly
remembered as such.
My problem is not that
we should not honour, nor
be grateIul Ior, nor celebrate
the lives oI those who gave
so much oI themselves
sacrifcially in the past, nor
that we should Iorget those
who continue to sacrifce
so much oI themselves in
diIfcult circumstances oI
confict today.
My problem is with the
ANZAC myth. It seems to
me it has more recently been
revitalised with a new and
wrong emphasis, and at a time
when successive Australian
Governments have Ielt a need
to rekindle a commitment to
war as a means oI responding
to current world situations, not
always wisely.
My problem here is two-
Iold. Firstly, the ANZAC myth
is simply not true. To suggest
that 1915 at Gallipoli was when
Australia declared its coming
oI age as an independent
nation is patently untrue. The
only reason we were in Turkey
at the time is because we were
still very much at the beck and
call oI the British Empire. In
what was a European war that
essentially had nothing to do
with us, we were present only
out oI obligation to our imperial
masters. We did not understand
that we had a choice to do
anything other than respond
to their demands. How is that
possibly a celebration oI our
independent nationhood?

ANZAC spirit -
or human spirit?
Furthermore, the human
qualities oI courage,
resourceIulness, sacrifce,
commitment to each other in
extreme adversity, and any other
positive attribute we would
associate with our celebrations
oI ANZAC Day are not
Australian or New Zealander
only. They are human. Iraqis,
AIghans, AIricans, and Asians
are just as capable oI these
attributes as any Australian.
The so-called ANZAC spirit,
oI which we claim to be
the sole inheritors and
guardians, is actually simply
the human spirit, to which
any other human being can
aspire with the same Iervour
and commitment.
It is problematic to suggest,
as we seem to do, that what
marks us out as Australian is
simply what any human being
would aIfrm as positive. It
is an indication oI the true
intent oI the revitalisation oI
the ANZAC myth Ior a whole
new generation oI Australians,
whi ch i s es s ent i al l y
nationalistic. I think it is to try
and convince ourselves oI a
kind oI superiority as a people
that reinIorces our national
identity over against that oI
other peoples. It is essentially
selI-serving and becomes the
rationalisation Ior all kinds oI
possibilities, Irom justiIying
wars through to securing our
borders against those perceived
as outsiders seeking asylum
among us.
Dened by acts of war?
Secondly, it is dangerous to
suggest, as the ANZAC myth
does, that it is only through
acts oI war that we can defne
ourselves as nation. This tends
to lead to the bizarre conclusion
that the primary way to respond
to the challenges oI liIe as a
nation is to declare war on
someone, or even something!

And that then is what we do.
We have more recently declared
war in places like Iraq and
AIghanistan, ironically again
in situations that have nothing
to do with us, this time at the
bequest oI our new masters,
the United States oI America.
And in the case oI Iraq, it
was at the bequest oI both our
new and old masters, with the
USA and the UK convincing
us to join that ill-Iounded
war oI attrition on the basis
oI a lie we gladly believed;
the presence oI non-existent
weapons oI mass destruction.
A war on drugs

But we have taken the war
motiI even Iurther in our
national liIe as well. Again in
the Iootsteps oI the USA, we
have, Ior example, declared
war on drugs. In doing that,
we treat the problem oI drugs
in the community as a criminal
issue rather than a health
issue. The real victims oI the
war on drugs are those most
vulnerable to abuse and despair
and whose lives are Iurther
destroyed by substance abuse.
They include our children.
Meanwhile, those who proft
Irom their misery fourish in a
climate oI prohibition that has
never and will never work.
War on asyIum
seeker boats
Even more troubling, in recent
times we have quite literally
declared war on asylum
seeker boats and called in the
navy to stop them. The real
victims oI this war are the
most vulnerable people alive
today; asylum seekers. Under
the secrecy oI an operational
war Iooting, who knows how
many more have died at sea?
Certainly one has died in our
custody and many more have
been brutalised by thugs hired
to maintain security in our
concentration camps on Manus
Island and Nauru. Again,
blithely declaring war reaps a
harvest oI destruction, and it
Iails even to begin to address
our obligations to respond
to those legitimately seeking
asylum on our shores.
Let ANZAC Day go
- and nd a better day
to ceIebrate
In light oI these kinds
oI outcomes Irom the
revitalisation oI the ANZAC
myth, I add my voice to that
oI those who are calling Ior
the centenary oI Gallipoli next
year to be the last time we
celebrate ANZAC Day, and the
time when we lay to rest the
ANZAC myth.
The challenge then is to fnd
a day to celebrate what really
should matter to us as a nation.
My dream is to fnd a day
that Iocuses us on peace with
justice, mercy and inclusion
as the basis oI our Iuture as
a nation; the very things I
believe lie in the heart oI God,
not just Ior Australians but Ior
all people.
The obvious
day Ior that
would be Sorry
Day`, already
established to
acknowl edge
our need still
to Iace honestly
the injustices oI
our past and to
move towards a
better Iuture Ior
all Australians.
To build on the
2008 apology to
our frst nations
by Kevin Rudd
on behalI oI the
whole nation
would certainly
be a ftting way
to commit to
repentance Ior
old wrongs and
to make a new
beginning.
Ironically, as
historian Henry
R e y n o l d s
points out, as we have
tried to fnd our identity as
a nation in an act oI war, we
Iorget our nation did begin
with a war; a war declared on
peoples we said did not even
exist. It is not until we
acknowledge this and repent oI
the hypocrisy explicit in it that
we can hope to fnd a new
Ioundation Ior peace with
justice, mercy and inclusion
in Australia.
It may be a dream on my part
Ior there to be a new central
national day oI celebration
to replace ANZAC Day, but I
maintain that Sorry Day, within
the context oI Reconciliation
Week, certainly provides
an appropriate perspective
Ior the Iuture oI our nation.
What better than to build a
nation on ideals and values
that are not only universally
aIfrmed as true to the human
spirit at its best, but also
consistent with what as
Christians we aIfrm to be
close to the heart oI God?.

Page 10 The GippsIand AngIican June 2014
A nation defned by war?
!,$ From the Presidents Synod Address
The Reverend Phvllis Andv after
the Svnod Eucharist
St Pauls Korumburra

by Bishop John McIntyre



T
he removal oI the
carbon tax is a
Iurther troubling
development under this
government. The reality
is that carbon pricing
is a means both to encourage
people to be more energy-wise
and to look to sources Ior power
generation other than burning
non-renewable Iossil Iuels.
The carbon tax, designed as
a prelude to a carbon-pricing
scheme, was working. More and
more people have been reducing
their energy usage and have taken
up oIIers Ior alternative ways
to generate power, especially
by solar panels on public and
private buildings. More and
more money has been going into
research around more viable
alternatives to power production
than by burning Iossil Iuels,
such as solar and wind power.
There is no reason, other than
an ideological one, and
perhaps complicity with
mining and oil and gas
companies, Ior this government
to stop moving towards a
carbon-pricing scheme.
The irony is that while most
world economies are building
carbon-pricing into their
economic structures, Australia
may well be leIt out in the cold
economically iI we do not do


the same. II the international
economic system ultimately
assumes a carbon price and we
do not, how will we participate
in it?
Added to this, it seems that
most expert opinion suggests
the so-called Direct Action`
scheme oI this government will
not work in achieving the targets
it claims achievable in reducing
carbon dioxide emissions, and
that it is not properly costed.
Fracking and brown
coaI aIIocations
In Gippsland itselI, two issues
remain critical to the Iuture oI
Iarming in our communities:
Iracking and brown coal
allocations.
Already you have heard
through the communications
oI the diocese a Iair bit about
Iracking or hydraulic Iracturing,
enough Ior me not to need to
repeat the signifcant issues it
raises Ior Gippsland`s highly
productive agricultural industry
.I encourage you all to stay


abreast oI developments in
this area oI concern and to
join with others such as the
organisers oI the Lock the
Gate` movement to ensure
ongoing local action against
those committed to Iracking
in Gippsland. I am certainly
pleased to see the Victorian
Government is consulting
widely on the potential impact
oI Iracking in Gippsland. Their
Iundamental concern about the
impact on our water systems is
certainly a central concern Ior
us all.
Brown coal allocations are
in some ways more troubling
than Iracking. Under this
arrangement, the Victorian
Government oIIers Iunding Ior
industry groups to develop ideas
Ior the use oI brown coal in the
allocation zone oI the Latrobe
Valley and surrounds, stretching
Irom Moe to Gormandale,
where only a relatively small
percentage oI the brown coal
present has so Iar been mined.
These groups do not need a
mining licence but simply an
idea Ior how the coal might be
used. II the idea is considered
viable, an allocation oI coal is
then made to the group. The
land under which that coal sits
is currently Iarming land, and
the Iarmers who own that land
have no recourse to prevent
the coal allocation being made.
Their Iarms can simply be sold
out Irom under them.
This means that those
Iarmers are on land that no-
one else is likely ever to
buy Ior Iarming purposes.
Furthermore, there is little
point in them investing in
Iurther development oI their
current agricultural businesses
because at any time their land
could be gone to an allocation.
This is another issue about
which we must be vigilant in
support oI Iarmers and residents
in Gippsland, especially as both
State and Federal Governments
are keen to develop new
possibilities Ior the use oI brown
coal as a means oI job creation
Ior Gippsland, and are thereIore
very supportive oI the scheme.
June 2014 The GippsIand AngIican Page 11
!,$
The carbon tax was working
From the Presidents Synod Address
W
ritten by the wealthy
and powerIul
to appease the
wealthy and powerIul, those
who will suIIer Irom the
recommendations in the
Commission oI Audit are the
poorest and the most vulnerable
members oI Australian society.
Explicit in this document
is a threat to any equity in
our pension system; the
destruction oI the minimum
wage; the eIIective dismantling
oI Medicare, one oI the best
universal health care systems
in the world; the privatisation
oI more government services,
including those that are income
producing Ior government,
and demands Ior those who
cannot fnd work in their local
community to be Iorcibly
moved or receive no dole,
Iurther destroying community
support Ior those most
vulnerable in our society. The
poor, the aged, the unwell,
those in the public education
system, struggling Iamilies, the
unemployed, and those who
more and more will become the
working poor, are being asked
to bear the greater burden in
the radical changes proposed
by this commission.
It is arguable this is
one oI the most arrogant,
cynical, ideologically driven
government agendas this
nation has ever witnessed.
For us as Christians, iI
my earlier analysis oI what
it means to be church is
anywhere near the mark (see
p 2), that is, iI allegiance to
Jesus Christ is tied to seeking
peace with justice; showing
mercy; being inclusive, and
most especially oI those most
vulnerable and disenIranchised
in our communities, I believe
it our duty to let our voices be
heard in response.
Commission of Audit,
federal budget 2014-2015
Before reading the following comments on the Commission of Audit, Bishop John
noted that his address was necessarilv written before the handing down of the federal
budget, but the budget will be putting in place what is in the Audit.
Hills near Korumburra Photo: Jan Down
by Jan Down
W
hat makes a retired
clergyman turn to
writing children`s
fction? Tom and Anna on the
Trail the case of the missing
school girl was written by the
Rev. Jim Connelly, who lives
in Warragul.
Jim explains, 'I`ve dealt with
words all my liIe, as a teacher,
a head-master, a clergyman and
a retired clergyman. Words have
been a theme running through
my liIe.
So it wasn`t hard to write,
but it was 'absolutely new.
Jim had not written Ior children
beIore, nor had he written
fction. But one morning in
Iact Jim remembers precisely
that it was 5th June last year
he woke up with an idea in
his mind, and saw that it could
make a good children`s story.
He started writing the same day.
Tom and Anna is a story about
two very observant children oI
upper primary school age who
are best Iriends and like riding
their bikes around together.
When a migrant girl, Iairly new
to the country, Iails to arrive at
school one morning, and the
police are at a loss to know how
to fnd her, Tom and Anna take
on the case.
The book clearly belongs in
the genre oI mysteries solved
by children without the help oI
adults, though Jim was not a
particular Ian oI Enid Blyton`s
Famous Five stories. Tom and
Anna was simply a story that
arose in his mind.
The frst draIt oI the book
was fnished in Iour weeks,
with a lot oI editing and re-
writing happening aIterwards.
Jim wrote it on computer at the
kitchen table, taking breaks to
do other things whenever he
needed to. He says he 'wrote
pretty hard. It was so exciting.
It was an exhilarating process.
He adds 'I`ve always got to have
a project or I get melancholy.
When he fnished the book,
he sat down and wrote another
one straight away. The second
book is now fnished, and the
third one is halI done. Jim
Iound that new ideas 'popped
up quite easily. It seems as
though once the writing impulse
was released, it just took oII.
There will be three books in
the Tom and Anna series; other
plots are now occurring Ior
diIIerent books.
Jim Iound that as
he was writing, the
characters began to
'take over and write
the story. In Tom
he 'Iound a voice
he could speak
through. This made
it easy to strike
the right voice Ior
the novel, as it is
written in the frst
person, with Tom
as narrator. He
Iound the style
came naturally,
though he was
s o m e t i m e s
conscious oI
technique, such as
not having too
many adverbs.
Although Jim
has dealt with words all his liIe,
he Iound writing fction very
diIIerent. 'The thing fows.
You`re not sure what`s going
to happen next. He says that
when writing reports or sermons
'you start Irom a fxed point and
work downwards, whereas with
a novel you`re working along.
For anyone older (or young
Ior that matter) who has always
wanted to write, but has never
quite got around to it, Jim is
something oI an inspiration: he
has published his frst book at
the age oI 80!
For Jim to be writing Ior
children is not so surprising
when you understand that he
was a schoolteacher Ior about
30 years, worked as a parish
minister, and is now surrounded
by grandchildren. The book
is dedicated to two oI them
Lucy and Charlotte. The
grandchildren have read the
book and enjoyed it, and Jim
says that adults seem to like it
as much as children do.
Tom and Anna on the Trail is
a mystery story frst oI all, but
there are underlying themes.
Jim describes it as having
'Christian themes, without
being overtly Christian. Anna
is Irom a church-going Iamily,
and won`t miss church on
Sunday, even to help Tom fnd
Soraya, the missing girl. Soraya
comes Irom an Iranian migrant
Iamily and they are depicted
as Iriendly, kind and generous.
Tom and Anna are likewise
shown as kind and accepting oI
a diIIerent culture.
Jim says it is 'an old-
Iashioned book, without the
'toilet humour so common in
modern children`s stories. He

is not a great Ian oI modern
trends in children`s literature,
especially 'the grubby side.
The book has its humour though,
and it is done with a light touch,
while oIten being used to get a
subtle message across.
Tom and Anna on the Trail
was originally accepted Ior
publication, but the day beIore
Jim was due to go and sign
the contract, the publisher
withdrew the oIIer, saying their
publication list was Iull. So Jim,
being understandably 'Ied up,
decided to have the book printed
by IngramSpark, an Australian
branch oI an American frm
which prints to order.
The book can be printed in
Australia, the US or Britain, and
is available all over the world as
either a paperback or an e-book.
Jim is grateIul Ior help with
the technical side oI publishing
Irom his Iriend, Mark Biggs,
who has also recently published
a book, Above and Bevond (see
the May issue oI TGA).
HalI the proceeds Irom the
sale oI the books will be
donated to the Bishop`s
Children`s Appeal, which is
run by Anglicare. The recently
held book launch was a great
success, with 80 100 people
attending and about 100
books sold. Tom and Anna
can now be purchased on-
line through Amazon; directly
Irom the author by emailing
ajcondcsi.net.au or by asking
a book shop to order it in.
Jim sees his writing as 'a late
discovery oI a God-given talent
I`ve always had. It clearly gives
him a great deal oI pleasure and
satisIaction to be using that giIt
Irom God.
Page 12 The GippsIand AngIican June 2014
Diocesan calendar
1une
11 6:00 pm Solemn Eucharist at St. Luke`s Moe
To celebrate the Rev. John Goodman`s
60th anniversary oI ordination to the priesthood
(details page 5)
15 2:30 pm Deconsecration oI the Church oI the
Holy Trinity at Moe, with Eucharist celebrated
by Bishop John McIntyre (details page 5)
21 11:00 am Anam Cara Community Annual
Thanksgiving Service St Mary`s Morwell
21 7:30 pm Ior 8:00 pm start The Great Debate:
'Is Jesus/God relevant Ior today?
at Loch Masonic Hall (details page 9)
29 The 2nd Annual Jindivick Antique
and Collectables Fair (details page 8)
30 until 3 July
General Synod, St Peter`s College, Adelaide
1uly
19 9:30 am 3:30 pm Anam Cara Community
Quiet Day St Mary`s Mirboo North
August

!,$
Finding a Voice
The Arts In Gippsland
A conversation with the Rev. 1im Connelly, rst-time author of a novel for primary-aged children


ABBEY CENTRE FOR SPIRITUALITY AND
THE ENVIRONMENT WINTER PROGRAM

Ior details phone: 5156 6580
or email: inIotheabbey.org.au
2 The Writers` Workshop with Sue Forham:
How to write an eIIective story to grip the reader
9-10 Photography Workshop with Robert McKay
Ior beginners or experienced photographers
16 Creating Art and CraIt, with Jill Ellis,
Marie Cox, Sue Fordham and June Treadwell
23 The Cathedral: exploring the architecture,
construction, stained glass, and music in the
Gothic cathedral
Jim Connellv and his granddaughter Lucv
The arts in Gippsland