anglican focus

The news site of the Anglican Church Southern Queensland: nourishing and connecting our faith community

Photos

Best photos of 2020 album

Check out the Editor’s pick of the best photos of 2020, showing how our Diocesan community contributed to the Church’s mission, connecting with and building community, in 2020

49 Photos
Photos

Please submit your best image (single best image, please) featuring people for consideration in our regular monthly albums to focus@anglicanchurchsq.org.au, along with a one-sentence image caption stating who is in the image, when and where the image was taken, and what is happening in the image. Please ensure that images are at least 150kb in file size and that you have ‘permission to publish’ from those pictured in the image.

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Serendipitously, on Tuesday 3 November, the birthday of Oodgeroo Noonuccal (the first First Nations Australian to publish a book of verse), St Margaret’s Anglican Girls School launched a magazine authored by the school’s First Nations people – the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students. Entitled ‘Gidhal’ (meaning 'stories' in Kala Lagaw Ya, a language from the Torres Strait), the students’ stories represent an aspect of their family, relatives or community, through reflections, memories, interviews, artwork and even traditional recipes handed down. 'Gidhal' was officially launched to the school community at a dedicated assembly with each of the participating students receiving a certificate and copy of the book. Aboriginal dance group Tribal Experiences performed a number of songs and dances from a collection of Aboriginal communities at the launch. Even more serendipitous, the school’s Indigenous Writes project that produced 'Gidhal' was awarded a 2020 Innovation Award from ‘The Educator’ magazine during NAIDOC Week 2020. (L-R): Shemyliah Ahmat, Nadia Seriat, Ella Nona, with Aaliyah Turner on the far right).

Torres Strait Islander elder on a stage with a politician
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Aunty Rose charmed Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and all others in attendance with her warmth at the 2021 Queensland Australian of the Year Awards, which were held on Tuesday 10 November 2020. Aunty Rose was awarded 2021 Queensland Senior Australian of the Year

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St Andrew’s Anglican College Year 12 student Poppie Thorpe and her artwork ‘Isolated in Ambiguity’, which received an Excellence Award in the Creative Generation Excellence Award and will be displayed in the central exhibition at GoMA in 2021.

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Parish of Stafford parishioner Sandra Cochran delivering pantry donations to Margaret Coombs from The Parish of Chermside on 30 September 2020: "At All Saints’, Chermside we have parishioner and wider community volunteers coordinating and driving a range of initiatives."

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"In Term 4, The Springfield Anglican College (TSAC) Year 6 Leaders met with Head of Learning Mrs Williams to discuss what we could do for the College during Christmas. We talked about the ‘Giving Tree’ that we do every year and from this discussion we decided the gift of prayer would be a great way to spread the message of hope, joy and peace. So, we decorated our tree with prayers wrapped in ribbons." (Anneliese)

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Churchie has commemorated Anzac Day with an annual service since 1919. Despite being unable to hold the service this year, the Churchie community found many creative ways to acknowledge this important national day. Most of Churchie’s cadets and students participated with their families in RSL Queensland’s Light up the Dawn, standing in their driveways at home at 6 am on Anzac Day. Churchie’s musicians also provided supported via the Music for Mateship initiative, playing 'The Last Post' and 'Reveille' on a bugle or trumpet in their communities. Where the community would usually gather on Anzac Day, Chairman of School Council Mr Daniel O’Connor OAM and Headmaster Dr Alan Campbell laid wreaths at the memorial on The Flat, which displays the names of 119 fallen Old Boys and staff, a constant reminder of Churchie’s legacy of service.

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Royal Australian Air Force chaplain Flight Lieutenant Philp chats with soldiers from the 16th Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery in the Adelaide Hills during OP Bushfire Assist.

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Bishop Daniel Abot has received The Rev'd Trevor Austin's robes. The Rev'd Paul Mitchell from St Luke's, Toowoomba said: "I visited Trevor when he was in hospital in Toowoomba in 2019. His funeral was conducted in Buderim, but his daughter contacted me with the offer of all of her father’s clerical robes, to be distributed where they may be of benefit. Having been several times to South Sudan and knowing the needs of clergy in that country, where few clergy have much by way of vestments, I contacted Bishop Daniel Abot. Bishop Daniel leads the Diocese of Duk in South Sudan but was in Australia with members of his family when the borders were closed. At present he is assisting in the Parish of St James. Toowoomba, with particular focus on caring for the South Sudanese congregation there. As Trevor wore these stoles and other vestments in service of our Lord, may they will continue to be signs of faithfulness and blessings for those who serve in South Sudan."

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The Rev'd Samuel Dow with daughters Amelie and Ellie, St Paul's, Ashgrove parishioner and faithful Baroona Farm voluntee Liz Ameer, and chicken friend Esme at Baroona Farm, St Francis College, on Friday 7 August 2020.

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St John's Cathedral Bell Captain Ian McCulloch was delighted to demonstrate his skills during the Vocations Steeplechase event on 9 August 2020, watched on by attendees Eleanor, John and Belinda and leaders The Rev'd Jonathan Kemp and The Rev'd Suzanne Grimmett.

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St Luke’s Anglican Church received a donation of over 400 kg of groceries from The Glennie School’s Year 6 SRC recently (L-R front): Jalisa Murray, Clara Andersen, Angeline Hall, Darcy Vaschina, Amalia Gomez-Faramand, Georgia Burke and The Rev’d Paul Mitchell; (L-R middle row): The Rev’d Sharon Mitchell, Maya McGrath, Natalie Woodhouse-McLean, Georgina Morton and Mae Grady; and, (L-R back): Natalie Hockaday, Belle Clay, Amy Quinlan, Sophie Nobbs and Mrs Jane Roper.

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The Rev'd Richard James pictured with artists Jennifer Long, Rebecca Holland, Sue Poggioli and Cathedral Shop manager Ann-Marie Reynolds at St John's Cathedral in August 2020.

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Bishop John Roundhill, Br Donald, CHAC students Chipo Makusha and Kelly-Ann Sparks, and CHAC chaplain Br Nathan at St Philip’s Anglican Church, Annerley at Br Donald's collation as Archdeacon of Moreton on Sunday 11 October 2020.

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MTS volunteers Renee Lejune and Dave Groen putting together care packages at the Brisbane Seafarers Centre in July 2020.

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Bishop Cam Venables had a skin cancer removed from his cheek on 29 July 2020, with 24 stitches to his face showing the margins. Queensland has the highest rate of skin cancer in the world, so Bishop Cam recommends that all Queenslanders get a skin check each year. For more information, visit the Cancer Council Queensland website and use the free online Cancer Risk Calculator.

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Fraser Coast Anglican College’s Kaitlin Edmondstone (Year 11) was selected for a STEM internship with QUT. Kaitlin’s July 2020 placement was with a team who are looking at feeding people in the future and converting agricultural waste into renewal material.

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Discipling children at St Bart's, Toowoomba in July 2020 to grow in their understanding and love for Jesus (L-R clockwise): Bettrys and Dan lead the Prep Small Group of Charlotte, Charlotte, Saskia, Charlie, George, Edith and Zia.

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The Rev'd Canon Gary Harch (second from right), The Very Rev'd Dr Peter Catt (third from left) and Queensland Community Alliance staff member Elise Ganley (first from left) joined other faith leaders and community members at a prayer vigil at the Kangaroo Point cliffs on Friday 12 June 2020 for the men being detained at the Kangaroo Point Central Hotel.

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Archbishop Phillip Aspinall (front, third from right), The Very Rev’d Dr Peter Catt (back row, far left) and The Ven. Kevin Bourke (back row, far right) with community members ordained as deacons (front row, left to right) Elizabeth McConnell, Matthew Skelton, Quinn Humphreys, Angela McNeill and Gemma Dashwood and community members ordained as priests (back row, left to right) Michael Calder, Kathrin Koning, Jonathan Kemp, Richard James and Ann Maree Edwards (St John’s Cathedral 5 December 2020).

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Anglicare SQ Facebook on 8 June 2020: "A big applause and recognition to our Women’s Homelessness Service staff; over the weekend they were featured in The Courier Mail in recognition of their dedication and support to our community's vulnerable women. 'Women who already were experiencing disconnection from community and adverse effects to their mental health and wellbeing were then under threat of further isolation,' Carol Birrell, Service Manager explained. It’s been a challenging time which has seen our staff implement new strategies to assist and support women and their families in the current climate of COVID-19.'"

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On 9 June 2020, Helene Baker-Daines joined 22 other Mothers Union members in a Zoom meeting, with members dressing up for the occasion, complete with hats, and brought out their best fine bone china for their 'High Tea at Home' to celebrate the 35th anniversary of AMUA in Caloundra.

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Katie Allen being baptised by The Rev'd Charlie Lacey (with husband Chris, pictured). Katie, Chris and their son, James, were all baptised on the same day, along with parishioner James Mobbs, on Easter Sunday in 2019

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Bishop Jeremy Greaves records his Sunday reflection dressed for work (from the waist up, anyway) on 6 May 2020.

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St Andrew's, Indooroopilly Facebook on 15 May 2020: The Rev'd Sue Grimmett with border collie Maisie calling for people to join her in a multi-faith online service she was co-hosting for the School Strike for Climate.

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AYCF's Erica Skerman brainstorms ideas for future digital resources from her office at St Francis College, Milton in May 2020.

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Archdeacon of the Sunshine Coast John Cornish lights a New Easter Fire in his backyard on Easter Eve 2020.

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"Fay Nolan, from The Parish of Green Hills, shared how her parish has been engaging in ‘old fashioned’ activities like the writing and delivering of pastoral letters from their priest, The Rev’d Canon Bruce Boase (pictured in April 2020)."

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Peter Branjerdporn and daughter Mali on Facebook on Palm Sunday (5 April 2020): “We welcome the prince of peace.”

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Anglicare SQ Maintenance Coordinator David Lefrancke literally went the extra mile recently when he flew his two-seater 2007 Czech Sport Aircraft to deliver much-needed supplies to Anglicare's Roma office: David is pictured here with Service Coordinator Tracey O’Brien.

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Teacher Beth Claydon and student Grace Coombs, 8, show off one of the finished face shields created by Coomera Anglican College students in April 2020 in response to a call from the biofabrication unit at Brisbane’s Metro North Hospital and Health Service.

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The Rev’d Zoe Browne (with son Jude) delivering a care pack in April to a parishioner in The Parish of Dalby in April 2020. The pack includes a pastoral letter from Priest-in Charge, The Rev’d David Browne, a prayer booklet for the season and a candle to light while watching the service online.

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Sarah and fellow Community of The Way member Aaron hanging out and having fun onsite at St Francis College on 7 April 2020.

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WestMAC Facebook on 30 March 2020: "Wonderful work from the students of Prep M to brighten up the day of support workers and front line medical staff at the Ipswich Hospital."

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Puppy Alfie, a miniature Daschund, spent much of February recovering from surgery and recuperating in the former hospital that is St Martin's House. Alfie's key carers, Emma Cooke and Frances Thompson, are now considering a career change to veterinary science.

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Ashes to Go outside Central Station in Brisbane on Ash Wednesday 2020, with The Very Rev'd Dr Peter Catt leading the way.

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On 12 February, our Reconciliation Action Plan Working Group met for the first time in 2020, taking the opportunity to yarn about the artwork commissioned by the Working Group. The dot paintings were created by young Kabi Kabi, Koa and Yuin artist Stevie O'Chin for the Archbishop's 2020-2022 'Being Together' Diocesan themes. (L-R): Stephen Harrison, Tim Reid, Patrick Meuleman, Sandra King OAM, Fr Bruce Boase, Fr Richard Browning, Stephen Hart, Olly Yasso, Jean Anderson and Meredith Walker AM.

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Anglicare Southern Queensland Facebook on 16 February 2020: "Congratulations to Irene Shivas, resident of Anglicare Symes Grove, who celebrated her 100th birthday last week! Irene has lived a fascinating life, including working in the British Post Office Telephone and Telegraph Service and migrating from England to calling Australia home."

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"This term, I am helping out North Pine Anglican Church’s Mainly Music programme" (Sarah Gover with Melissa Eisenmenger and Sophie having fun at Mainly Music on Friday 21 February 2020).

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Year 12 Coomera Anglican College student Cambria Hunt volunteering as part of a service project in Cambodia with Projects Abroad in January 2020.

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St John's Anglican College Facebook on 28 January 2020: "FIRST DAY 2020. Wishing our new and returning families a great start to the school year at St John's."

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On 4 November 2020 Anglicare Southern Queensland's Jarjums Connect Group had a very special visitor when Ranger Stacey and the Totally Wild team came to join in the fun!

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Campers and leaders enjoying water games at the 2020 Primary Ichthus Camp, which was held at Maranatha Recreation Camp in Yandina from 8-11 January.

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St Bart's, Toowoomba Facebook on 8 December 2020: "Exciting news on Monday as Bishop Daniel received his licence from Stephen Harrison (Executive Director of the Parishes and Other Mission Agencies Commission) as he takes up his Resource Church Specialist Role to nurture ethnic congregations. Please be praying for Daniel (and his family) as he embarks upon this new role – especially that God will use him to build up and grow the church for God’s glory."

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Anglicare Home Care Worker Judy Blinco (right, pictured with her daughter) was nominated for the Andrea Murray Memorial Award at the annual Maranoa Regional Council Australia Day Awards by Anglicare Southern Queensland’s Roma Office (Image by Trina Ayers, January 2020)

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Year 3 St Hilda's students Alessandra and Lila with the stones they painted for their school's Kindness Path.

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On 6 December 2020, The Rev'd Canon Gary Harch spoke at a vigil for the 100+ men detained at Kangaroo Point Central Hotel. He was joined by dozens of other Christians, including Anglicans.

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"The Department of Corrective Services has regional work camps for low-security inmates...Two of these, Mitchell and Charleville, are in the Maranoa Warrego Anglican Mission Area" (The Rev'd Rick Gummow, November 2020)

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St John's Crisis Centre Facebook on 3 December 2020: "Our intrepid trio of drivers have been out and about collecting from schools and businesses around the Gold Coast in readiness for packing our Christmas hampers for our clients. We thank you for all the hard work...your efforts will certainly put smiles on all those families receiving food and gifts this Christmas."

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St Mark’s, Warwick churchwarden Lewis von Stieglitz won the 2020 ‘Chance to win an iPad for you and your priest or chaplain’ competition. He is pictured with his rector The Rev'd Lizzie Gaitskell, whom he nominated to be the recipient of the second iPad prize