From accidental ARPA member to Gutenberg winner
National
A beloved South Brisbane parishioner and former FOCUS editor was recently awarded the Australasian Religious Press Association’s highest accolade at the association’s golden jubilee conference on the Gold Coast
A beloved South Brisbane parishioner and former FOCUS editor was recently awarded the Australasian Religious Press Association’s highest accolade at the association’s golden jubilee conference on the Gold Coast.
St Andrew’s, South Brisbane parish councillor Allan Sauer OAM was presented the Gutenberg Award by Australasian Religious Press Association (ARPA) president Sophia Sinclair at the 23 September awards dinner.
Ms Sinclair said that the Gutenberg Award, which recognises excellence in religious communication, was presented to Mr Sauer for his long-term dedication to journalism and the Anglican Church.
“The variety of roles and responsibilities Allan has held within the Church and the diocese, coupled with his natural skills and eye for detail, made him an ideal candidate for serving as the Chairman of the Anglican Diocese of Brisbane Diocesan Media Committee,” Ms Sinclair said.
“At the dawn of the millennium this commitment led to his involvement with FOCUS… where he would soon serve as editor.
“During this time Allan became involved with ARPA as a member — finding fellowship, professional development and recognition among his peers.
ARPA president Sophia Sinclair presenting Allan Sauer OAM with ARPA’s highest accolade, the Gutenberg Award, at the 2024 ARPA conference on the Gold Coast
Ms Sinclair said that Mr Sauer found out about the association via a bill for payment more than 20 years ago.
“Allan first became aware of ARPA when a membership invoice crossed his desk at FOCUS.
“Little did he know at the time that this would develop into a significant long-term investment.
“Allan took on the role of Executive Officer of ARPA in 2006, serving until 2012.
“Since 2012, Allan has given generously of his time, knowledge, and skills as ARPA’s Treasurer.
“Allan is known for his exacting standards and his excellent taste.
“From arranging events and finding speakers to meticulously organising records and accounts.
“From editing, advocating and speaking for the rights of the religious press, to caring about the tiny details which make an ARPA conference happen.
“From being so willing to offer up institutional knowledge and insight to applying his expertise to the arranging and upholding of the prestigious ARPA awards.
“Allan is an exceptional and faithful colleague and peer who has dedicated his service to ensuring ARPA is an association that serves and blesses its members.
“To put it simply, Allan Sauer embodies the spirit of ARPA.”
Ms Sinclair also honoured Allan’s wife Annette for her support of ARPA.
“Allan’s service and commitment are born from a deep and abiding faith in our Lord Jesus Christ,” she said.
“Allan has been ably and wonderfully supported in his commitment to ARPA by his wife of nearly 53 years, Annette Sauer.”
Allan and Annette Sauer were honoured by ARPA president Sophia Sinclair at the 2024 ARPA conference, where Allan received ARPA’s highest accolade, the Gutenberg Award
The first Gutenberg was awarded in 1983.
The award is named after the 15th century inventor of the movable-type printing press, Johannes Gutenberg, who also produced the first printed Bible.
The award was originally given to the publication that won the most awards in a given year.
ARPA’s executive then rethought the Gutenberg’s purpose — from 1985 it was a discretionary award given by the association’s president in recognition of excellence in Christian journalism and communication.
Mr Sauer said that he is surprised and grateful to be announced the Gutenberg winner.
“Religious media is an important arm of the mission of the Church — we should give every encouragement as they fulfil their calling,” he said.
“I was stunned when my name was announced because the award is the president’s gift, and not sought.
“One is extremely grateful for the privilege that one’s ministry has been recognised as important in the service of God.
“Ecumenism is important because we are trying to follow the commands of Christ to love one another, especially in the wider sphere — this is done in a practical manner.”
Mr Sauer received the award to a standing ovation, with past and present ARPA members and office bearers in attendance, along with senior religious leaders.
The Most Rev’d Jeremy Greaves, who was the keynote conference speaker, said that he was thrilled to see Allan receive the prestigious award.
“Congratulations to Allan for receiving the Gutenberg Award from his ecumenical press peers,” Archbishop Greaves said.
“Allan is very well respected in our Diocese for his decency, work ethic, dedication, broad skills and faithfulness.
“I felt privileged to be present and to join in the applause, as well as the joyful laughter when dinner guests saw the look of surprise on Allan’s face when his name was announced.
“I cannot think of anyone more deserving of receiving the Gutenberg Award in the association’s golden jubilee year.”
Mr Sauer, a past General Synod and Diocesan Council member, currently serves as a parish councillor, treasurer and liturgical assistant at St Andrew’s Anglican Church in South Brisbane.
ARPA members voted to wind up the association at the Gold Coast conference, which was held on 23-24 September, due to the declining number of Church and non-denominational newspapers and magazines.
The 2024 ARPA awards dinner was attended by past and present ARPA members and office bearers, as well as senior religious leaders
The association has its roots in a lobby group against significant postage increases in the 1960s and 1970s.
While the lobby group did not get the outcome they campaigned for, members valued the collegiality and fellowship, and thus a more formal association, ARPA, was born.
As well as pursuing mutual issues of concern, ARPA encouraged excellence in Christian communication through an annual conference and awards.
In 1991 ARPA adopted a statement, leading with the importance of communication:
“Communication is at the heart of the Church’s life and mission. It is not an optional extra. Christ’s ‘great commission’ (Matthew 28: 19,20) is a mandate to communicate.
The mission of anglican focus is “[t]o deliver a free community-owned news site for diverse ACSQ members to proclaim the Gospel, reflect, inform, advocate and resource in order to nourish spirituality and connect community.”
Jump to next article
