ANNUAL REPORTS - 2015

To be presented at the Annual Meeting

22 November 2015

St George’s Parish Centre

St George’s Anglican Church

PARISH OF ST GEORGE MALVERN Agenda for the Annual Parochial Meeting

to be held in the

St George’s Centre Hall, 22 November 2015 at 11.30 am

1. Notice of Meeting

2. Apologies:

3. Tabling and Reception of Parish Electoral Roll

4. Tabling of the Parishes Act 2013

5. Minutes of Annual Parochial Meeting 2014

6. Business Arising

7. Report of the Vicar

8. Presentation and Reception of Annual Financial Statements

9. Churchwardens’ Report

10. Reports from Parish Organizations and Synod

11. Election and Appointment of Churchwardens and Parish

Council members

12. Election of Auditors

13. Election of two Lay Representatives to Parish Incumbency

Committee

14. Any other matters of Parochial or Church Interest

SAINT GEORGE'S ANGLICAN CHURCH MALVERN

MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL MEETING HELD IN THE HALL, SAINT GEORGE’S CENTRE, ON

SUNDAY 30 NOVEMBER 2014 AT 11.30 AM

PRESENT: The Revd Canon Dr C O’Reilly, Vicar (in the Chair), the Revd Dr N White, the Revd J Stewart, the Revd Dr J Scott AO, the Churchwardens, the Vestry, the Parish Council, and some forty-five other parishioners.

PRAYERS:

APOLOGIES:

Mr P Barrett & Mrs R Barrett, Mr J Bettoni & Mrs E Bettoni, Ms C Fox, Mrs C Gordon, Ms S Guest, Mr J Perry OAM, Mr P Shepherd & Mrs M Shepherd, the Hon C Tadgell AO QC & Mrs C Tadgell

NOTICE OF MEETING:

The Notice of Meeting was distributed as the Agenda of the Annual Meeting.

MINUTES:

The Minutes of the Annual Parochial Church Meeting held on Sunday 24 November 2013 were taken as read and were confirmed on the motion of Ms L Mackay and Mr T Hudson.

ELECTORAL ROLL:

The Meeting received the Electoral Roll on the motion of Ms L Mackay and Mr M Tadgell.

PARISHES ACT, 2013:

The Vicar tabled the Parishes Act, 2013.

STATUTORY REPORTS:

The Annual Report by the Incumbent:

The Vicar presented her eighth Annual Report. The Vicar noted that the Parishes Act of 2013 had come into operation on 1 July 2014, and the body hitherto known as the Vestry was now the Parish Council. The Vicar’s thanks to the Churchwardens, the Honorary Secretary and the members of the Vestry/Parish Council for their outstanding leadership, and in particular to Mr S Dickie, Churchwarden since 2010, and now retiring from Council; to Mr E Easton for his continuing contribution as Honorary Treasurer; and to the Parish Business Manager, Mrs M Green, were endorsed by acclamation.

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The Vicar expressed her thanks for the work of the Revd Dr N White, Assistant Curate, and his wife, Ms S Manley, for their contribution to ministry at Saint George’s, and wished them and their sons Ollie and Frankie every blessing as they move to their new parish, Saint Paul’s, East Kew, in February 2015. The Vicar expressed her thanks for the ministry of the Revd J Stewart, and in particular for his work as Director of the Living Well Centre, which continues to contribute to the parish and the wider church.

The Vicar’s thanks to all the members of the ministry team—and in particular to the honorary clergy: the Revd Dr John Scott AO, the Revd W McEntee, the Revd W Michie, and the Revd Dr J Snedden—were endorsed by acclamation. The Vicar thanked the parish ministry team working at Cabrini Hospital, and the home communion ministers. The Vicar referred to the centenary of the Gallipoli landing in April 2015, and the project to research the names on the roll of honour in Saint Martin’s Chapel. The Vicar referred to the 800th anniversary in June 2015 of the sealing of Magna Carta and expressed the hope that the occasion might be marked by a seminar or the like on some issue(s) regarding church and state. The Vicar advised that she would be asking the Council to make the Trinity College Theological School—whicj is now a member college of the University of Divinity—a mission of priority in 2015 to help to ensure a future for the catholic tradition in Melbourne. Referring to the long and impressive list of clergy who have been assistant curates at Saint George’s, the Vicar emphasized how important it was to the coming generations of clergy that Saint George’s should continue to appoint assistant curates. The Meeting received the Report, which included abstracts of the entries in the parish registers, on the motion of the Vicar and Miss P Hagerty.

The Report on the Proceedings of the Vestry/Council:

The Report was presented by Mr B Corless OAM. The Meeting received the Report on the motion of Mr Corless and Mr M Tadgell.

The Report on the Accounts of the Churchwardens:

Mr E Easton presented the Report on the financial statements for the year ending 30 September 2014.

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In response to a question from Ms L Mackay as to whether clerical stipends would be the same as in 2014, Mr Easton advised that an allowance had been made for a slight increase, but in 2015 the assistant curate would be in deacon’s orders, and the housing arrangement was assumed to be unchanged. The Meeting received the Report on the motion of Mr Easton and Mr Tayles.

The Churchwardens’ Report on the Fabric, Goods and Ornaments of the Church of the Parish and the Vicarage and Other Buildings of the Parish:

Mr S Dickie expressed the thanks of the churchwardens to Mr Easton. In response to a question from Mr K Wailes as to whether the Council could influence the Diocese to help with the stipend for the assistant curate, Mr Dickie advised that there was little that could be done.

Mr Dickie further advised that in regard to our money invested through the Anglican Development Fund, the Diocese was prepared to consider our nomination of another investment opportunity, but would not reveal where the money is currently invested. In response to a question from Mr T Hudson as to whether we could get our money back from the Diocese, Mr Dickie advised that it was preferable to invest through the Diocese. Mr K Wailes expression of thanks to Mr Dickie and his fellow churchwardens was endorsed by acclamation. Mr Tadgell noted that at a meeting held on 2 November 2014 the parish had adopted the new parish rules arising from the Parishes Act of 2013. He noted the major work of the painting of the interior of the church. He also noted the gilding of carved work in the church, the planned installation of glass doors and a new ushers’ bench, and the new exterior lighting, all of which work was achieved through donations and a bequest. Mr Tadgell also noted the important focus on occupations health and safety matters that had been guided by Mr C Tegner. Mr Tadgell expressed the thanks of the churchwardens to Mrs M Green, Parish Business Manager, and to Mr G Haritos, the cleaner. Mr Tadgell also thanked Mr R Tayles for his regular care of the churchyard and the audio system, and Mr E Morgan for his many generous works of maintenance. On behalf of the Churchwardens Mr Tadgell expressed thanks to the ministry team for their support. Mr Tadgell’s remarks were endorsed by acclamation. The Meeting received the Report on the motion of Mr Tadgell and Mrs T Scott.

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The Report on the Proceedings of the Vestry/Council:

The Report was presented by Mr B Corless OAM. The Meeting received the Report on the motion of Mr Corless and Mr M Tadgell.

The Report from the Council on the Pastoral Care, Evangelism, Community Service, and Educational Programs of the Parish:

The Report was presented by Mr B Corless OAM. The Meeting received the Report on the motion of Mr Corless and Mr M Tadgell.

The Report by the Incumbent on the entries in the Registers of the Parish:

The Meeting noted that this Report was included in the Report by the Incumbent.

THE ELECTION AND APPOINTMENT OF CHURCHWARDENS AND COUNCILLORS: In declaring positions vacant, the Vicar thanked the Churchwardens and

members of the Vestry/Council for their service over the preceding year.

Churchwardens: The Vicar advised her appointment of Mrs J Mallinson as Churchwarden. There being only two nominations for the two elected positions, those nominees was declared duly elected:

Mr R Lester Mr M Tadgell

Councillors: The Vicar advised her appointment of Mrs G Brooks, Ms W Stone, and Mrs M Winter as Councillors. There being only six nominations for the six elected positions, those nominees were declared duly elected:

Mr B Corless OAM Mrs G Powell Mrs B Renjen Mr R Tayles Mr C Tegner Mrs J Wright

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THE ELECTION OF AUDITORS: The Meeting elected as Auditors Messrs Renshaw Dawson Lang, Chartered

Accountants, on the motion of Mr E Easton and Mrs J Wright.

THE ELECTION OF TWO LAY REPRESENTATIVES TO THE PARISH INCUMBENCY COMMITTEE: There being only two nominations for the two elected positions, those

nominees were declared duly elected:

Mr B Corless OAM Ms L Mackay

OTHER MATTERS: Reports:

The Meeting received the following reports on the motion of the Vicar and Miss P Hagerty.

The Living Well Centre for Christian Spirituality:

From The Revd J Stewart, Director.

The Chaplaincy to Cabrini Hospital, Malvern: From the Revd Dr N White, Assistant Curate.

The Director of Music: From Mr C Cook, Director of Music.

The Flower Guild:

From Ms M James, Team Leader.

The Friday Luncheon Group: From Mr J Perry OAM, Convenor.

The Garden Report:

From Mr Ron Tayles, Coordinator.

The Mothers’ Union: From Mrs R Barrett, President.

The Prayer Shawl Ministry:

From Mrs L Swan, Coordinator.

The Planned Giving Program: From Mrs G Powell, Coordinator.

The Poetry Reading Group:

From Mr J Perry OAM, Convenor.

Diocesan Synod 2014: From Ms H Gilbert, Synod Representative.

The Ushers’ Report: From Mr D Powell, Coordinator.

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Occupational Health and Safety: Mr C Tegner briefed the Meeting on the latest developments.

The Word:

In response to a question from Ms K Gooch, the Vicar advised that finding an editor for The Word was a work in progress.

Vote of Thanks and Appreciation:

The Meeting endorsed by hearty acclamation a vote of thanks and appreciation proposed by the Hon J Batt QC in grateful acknowledgement of the Vicar’s guidance and leadership in the past year, and of the ministries of the clergy, and of the service of the churchwardens and councillors.

The Meeting closed at 1.00 pm.

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SAINT GEORGE’S ANGLICAN CHURCH MALVERN

REPORT ON THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE PARISH COUNCIL

DELIVERED TO THE ANNUAL MEETING OF 2015

Dating from the Annual Meeting of Sunday 30 November 2014 at 11.30 am, the appointed and elected members of the Council were as follows:

Churchwardens: Mrs J Mallinson Mr R Lester Mr M Tadgell

Council members: Mrs G Brooks Ms W Stone Mrs M Winter Mr B Corless OAM Mrs G Powell Mrs B Renjen Mr R Tayles Mr C Tegner Mrs J Wright

The Council met in every month except January and August during its term of office. At the Meeting of 9 December 2014: Mr Lester advised that Mr E Easton had kindly accepted the churchwardens’ appointment of him as Honorary Treasurer. Mr Lester advised that Mr Tadgell had kindly accepted the churchwardens’ appointment of him as their representative on the Incumbency Committee. There being no other nominations, Mr B Corless OAM was declared elected as Honorary Secretary on the nomination of Mr Easton and Mr Tayles. The Vicar advised that Ms Jacqui Smith would be ordained to the diaconate in Saint Paul’s Cathedral on Saturday 7 February 2015 at 10.30 am, and would be commissioned to Saint George’s on Sunday 8 February 2015. The Vicar advised that Mr C Cook, Director of Music, was resigning with effect from 26 December 2014. The Vicar advised that Ms C Connolly, the renowned Celtic harpist who shares leadership in the Living Well Centre, was now an authorized Honorary Lay Assistant. At the Meeting of 10 February 2015: The Vicar welcomed the Revd J Smith, Assistant Curate, to the Meeting. Mrs J Mallinson advised that—until Easter—Mr J Mallinson had kindly agreed to act as organist, and Ms C Shepherd had kindly agreed to conduct choir rehearsals. The Meeting endorsed the draft Minutes of the Annual Meeting of 2014 for presentation to the Annual Meeting of 2015. The Meeting agreed to hold a planning/discussion day to include ‘The Big Picture’ on Saturday 18 April 2015 from 1.00 pm to 5.00 pm. The Vicar proposed planting swathes of daffodils in the front lawn in March. At the Meeting of 10 March 2015: The Vicar advised that Choral Evensong would be held on Sunday 26 April at 5.00 pm, when the copy of James Clark’s painting ‘The Great Sacrifice’ having been restored as part of the Anzac Centenary Local Grants Program, would be unveiled. At the Meeting of 14 April 2015: The Vicar advised that speakers (one Christian, one Jewish) from the Grass Roots Project of the Council for Christians and Jews would be present on Sunday 19 April 2015 at the 8.00 am Eucharist and on Sunday 3 May 2015 at the 10.00 am Eucharist. The Vicar advised that she would be on leave for six weeks from Sunday 3 May in the Holy Land and in the United Kingdom.

Council Proceedings 2014-2015: Page 1 of 2

At the Meeting of 14 July 2015: The Vicar advised that she would chair a Committee to establish Parish Council priorities. Mr B Corless tabled a bound copy of the annotated Roll of Honour from Saint Martin’s Chapel created by the Anzac Working Group: Ms R Allard, Mr B Corless, Ms H Gilbert, Mr J Lane, Mrs R Lane, Mrs H Norwood and Miss J St John. At the Meeting of 8 September 2015: The Meeting agreed to donate:

$10,000.00 per annum for three years to the Trinity College Theological School; $5,000.00 per annum for three years to the Brigidine Asylum Seekers Project; $5,000.00 per annum for three years to Saint Andrew’s Theological Seminary, Philippines; $5,000.00 per annum for three years to Wontulp-Bi-Buya College, Cairns.

The Vicar advised that the Revd J Smith, Assistant Curate, would be ordained to the priesthood on Saturday 28 November 2015, and would preside at the celebration of the Holy Eucharist on Sunday 29 November 2015 at 10.00 am. The Vicar advised that there would be the usual Midnight Mass at 11.30 pm on Christmas Eve, and one celebration of the Holy Eucharist at 9.00 am on Christmas Day. At the Meeting of 13 October 2015: The Meeting agreed to grant leave without pay to the Revd J Stewart, Associate Priest and Director of the Living Well Centre, to be Acting Dean of Saint Paul’s Cathedral Sale, from the First Sunday in Advent, 1 December 2015, through Christmas Day, 2015, at the request of the Bishop of Gippsland, the Rt Revd Kay Goldsworthy. At the Meetings of the Council held from December 2014 through October 2014, the Churchwardens and members of the Council were present as follows:

Dec

Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov

The Revd Canon Dr C O’Reilly, Vicar X X X X L L X N/A X X N/A Mrs G Brooks X X X X X L X N/A X L N/A Mr B Corless X X X X X X X N/A X X N/A Mr E Easton X X X X X X X N/A X X N/A Mr R Lester X X X X L X X N/A L L N/A

Mrs J Mallinson L X X X X X L N/A X X N/A Mrs G Powell X X L L X X X N/A X X N/A Mrs B Renjen X L X X L L X N/A X X N/A

Ms W Stone X X X X L L L N/A X X N/A Mr M Tadgell X L X X X X X N/A X L N/A

Mr R Tayles X X L L X X X N/A X X N/A Mr C Tegner X X X X L X X N/A X X N/A

Mrs M Winter X X L X X L X N/A X X N/A Mrs J Wright X X X X X X X N/A X X N/A

X Present L Leave of absence

Brian Corless OAM Secretary to the Council

Council Proceedings 2014-2015: Page 2 of 2

SAINT GEORGE’S ANGLICAN CHURCH

A REPORT FROM THE COUNCIL ON THE PASTORAL CARE, EVANGELISM, COMMUNITY SERVICE, AND

EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS OF THE PARISH DELIVERED TO THE

ANNUAL MEETING OF THE PARISH 2015

This report is required by statute. The activities mentioned here are recorded in greater detail elsewhere in the reports of particular parish officers and organisations. The categories—pastoral care, evangelism, community service, and educational programs—are arbitrary and, as far as Saint George’s parish is concerned, invariably overlap: some of the following commitments could be classed under more than one heading, and have more than one value. The list is not exhaustive. Pastoral Care and Evangelism: Saint George’s gives substantial support to the Trinity College Theological School.

Support is also offered for three years beginning 2015 to the Brigidine Asylum Seekers Project; Saint Andrew’s Theological Seminary, Philippines; and Wontulp-Bi-Buya College, Cairns. The annual Diocesan Assessment is paid in full. The chaplaincy to St Frances Xavier Cabrini Hospital continues to be a major pastoral commitment involving our clergy and laity (including being on twenty-four-hour call) , as well as our ministry to residents in nursing homes, and to those who are not able to be regular worshippers in the church. Regular services are now conducted at MECWA Malvern and McKinley House. The Shawl Ministry, which provides knitted shawls, knee rugs and slippers for those in need of care, continues to be very successful. The retreat With Jesus in Lent was held from 27 February through 1 March 2015. Lenten Groups met on Wednesday evenings and Thursday mornings. Community Service: Regular collections of food are made for distribution through Saint Mark’s Community Centre, Fitzroy (in partnership with Anglicare Victoria), and through the parish of Saint Alban’s. The Great Big Sunday Lunch held by Saint George’s branch of the Mothers’ Union adds to the funds that the branch applies to special projects. Saint George’s maintains the annual service for the Royal Commonwealth Society (Victorian Branch). Saint George’s extends regular hospitality to the Pakistani Australian Christian Fellowship. Educational and Social Programs: Spiritual Café continues; the Book Club meets monthly; the Shawl Ministry continues; the Poetry Reading/Writing Group continues; the Friday Luncheon Group continues; Communion Breakfasts are held regularly. The Australia Day Barbecue and the Pancake Day (Shrove Tuesday) in the Vicarage Garden were well attended. Brian Corless OAM Secretary to the Council

Pastoral Care &c:2014-2015 Page 1 of 1

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WARDENS’ REPORT 2015

OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY Throughout the 2015 year we have continued the process for bringing up to date and implementing site and occupational health and safety (OH&S) matters concerning risk management. We are using the Anglican Diocese of Melbourne’s (ADOM) procedural guidelines, check lists, hazard evaluation forms and periodic inspection and compliance returns covering Site Safety, OH&S as well as Professional Standards. Many improvements have been introduced during the year and are scheduled into the future. Some of the works undertaken this year have been:

· Emergency Exit push down door handle systems on the North and South Transept doors

· Rectification of defective emergency lighting systems at St George’s Centre

· Major hard waste disposal via Council Clearance

· Call for and evaluate quotations on works required to be effected during the next (2016) financial year including, where appropriate, placement of orders to cover the:- Monitoring of the Chubb installed Church Fire Alarm Panel to the Fire Brigade – in the event of a fire; upgrade of the Church Digital Video Recording and Monitoring Security system for Church Security; Demolition and Replacement old and damaged paling fence (cost shared with Stonnington Council); intruder detection system and alarm siren at Vestry room.

A special thanks to Charles Tegner for his tireless work championing this work.

EXTRA-PAROCHIAL GIVING In recent years, we have wound back our extra-parochial giving as we have undertaken some large internal projects, notably our re-roofing and painting projects.

However, our five year business plan that was prepared a few years ago makes provision for significant annual extra-parochial giving.

At its September meeting, the Parish Council approved to donate $25,000 for the 2014-15 Church year to four institutions:

· $10,000 to the Trinity College Theological School

· $5,000 to the Brigidine Asylum Seekers Project

· $5,000 to the Saint Andrew’s Theological Seminary in the Philippines through the ABM

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· $5,000 to the Wontulp-Bi-Buya College in Cairns, also through the ABM

A Planning Sub-Committee undertook limited due diligence into each institution before making its recommendations to the Parish Council.

Following the Parish Council’s approval, donations were paid by 30 September – the end of the 2014-15 Church year.

The Parish Council also agreed in-principle to provide further donations to the same four institutions in 2015–2016 and 2016–2017, subject to the Parish Council continuing to be satisfied about the merits of each institution and about St George’s financial capacity to make the donations.

Three of the four institutions that we are supporting have a strong educational focus:

· Trinity College Theological School was chosen to support the training and development of future clergy for parishes like our own

· Saint Andrews Theological Seminary in the Philippines was chosen to support clergy training and development for a vibrant, growing Episcopal / Anglican church of a close international neighbour, where a relatively small amount of money can go a long way

· Wontulp-Bi-Buya College in Cairns was chosen because it exists principally to support the training and development of future Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander church and community leaders in Northern Australia.

The fourth institution, the Brigidine Asylum Seekers Project, was chosen to support the approximately 120 volunteers who provide many different services to asylum seekers to aid their integration into Australian life. This institution receives no Government funding and relies on its own resources and particularly donations from friends and benefactors.

The congregation will be provided with updates in the year ahead about how our donations are being applied and we hope to have some representatives come to speak with us about their work.

FINANCES

We have been managing the capital of the parish with the following guiding principles:

1. Maintain the real value of the capital by allowing ensuring the effect of inflation is taken into account.

2. Ensure the return above the inflation effect is sufficient to cover our operating loss. 3. Set aside additional return to cover future capital works such as upgrading works to the

vicarage. 4. Contribute out of the excess return to extra parochial giving.

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With these principles in mind the following summarises the outcome for the year and considerations with respect to the year ahead.

· Our very strong gains on our investments in the first half of the year have been given up in the second half of the year due to market conditions.

· We have returned in absolute dollar terms $225,402. · This covers our operating loss including repairs and maintenance and extra parochial

giving of $94,913. · The June annualised inflation rate for Australia is 1.5%. Therefore to maintain the real

purchasing power of our investments we would have had to set aside approximately $77,056.

· Our return for the year from capital funds exceed the operating loss and adjustment for maintaining purchasing power by $53,433.

· We have therefore covered our operating loss and maintained the real purchasing power of our capital this year.

· Our projected loss for the next financial year is $152,000. If we return the same amount on our capital we roughly break even after allowing for the maintenance of the purchasing power of our capital.

· Whilst this is not necessarily a problem further decline in our operating position will have an impact on our capital reserves if it becomes a regular outcome.

· We need to watch this very carefully over the forthcoming year. · The lack of return has also affected our ability to set aside reserves for significant capital

works in the future. We will also need to monitor this situation as we head towards what will likely be significant Vicarage works in 4 or so years’ time.

· If we can’t generate returns on our investments then we run a risk of operating the parish out of capital. Whilst we may accept this one in 5 or 7 years we would want to be very sure we weren’t setting a trend with continued deficits eating away at our capital.

Market outlook

· Continued expectation of a low growth economy. · Expect inflation to remain at very low levels. · Market conditions are expected to be tight with returns on equities and yields expected

to be lower than the past. · As we know however markets are unpredictable and the past is no indication as to future

performance.

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Next year

· We should sit tight on our current strategy however we need to monitor activities very closely to ensure that we do not put ourselves in a position we don’t want to be in.

· We know how we want to run the parish however if we cannot generate the returns needed we will need to be prepared to make some tough decisions without too much delay.

We owe Eric Easton a debt of gratitude for his very significant input and time in maintaining the finances of the parish.

SPECIAL THANKS

Our ongoing thanks are due to the Parish Administrator, Maria Green, who works so efficiently and resourcefully to keep our organization running smoothly. Bookings for the Parish Centre have increased exponentially, due to Maria’s initiatives.

Thanks to our cleaner, George Haritos, who continues to look after the church and centre, the latter with its ever-increasing use.

Thanks are also due to Ewan Morgan whose voluntary work doing so many handyman tasks is greatly appreciated. Also thanks to Anthony Green who willingly completes and assists with a variety of tasks about the property.

On several days each week Ron Tayles can be seen attending to our beautiful gardens. Along with the team of Thursday gardeners, such volunteer efforts save considerable expense for the church. This team’s sterling work has been supported this year by occasional work by East Side Gardeners.

The church interior has been enhanced by the replacement of the deteriorated sidesmans’ bench with a new paneled structure to match the pews, and with a two glass entry doors.

Our Pastoral Care team continue their important work at Cabrini Hospital and this is recognized with appreciation.

There are many who contribute to the running and well-being of our church and community and each one is thanked for his/her valuable contribution.

Judy Mallinson Malcolm Tadgell Ray Lester

PASTORAL CARE AT CABRINI 2014 -2015

The Pastoral Care Team has completed another year of continuing provision of

pastoral care to Anglican/Church of England patients at Cabrini Hospital, Malvern. Jacqui

Smith, our new parish Assistant Curate joined us in February and we are grateful for her

time with us.

Currently the team has four staff who attend each week, Father Walter McEntee,

Rev Jacqui Smith, Mrs Judy Wright and myself. Mrs Lyn Rafferty and Mrs Coral Gordon

are available as support staff when needed. Patients were visited routinely each Tuesday

of the year (except for Melbourne Cup Day when the Pastoral Care Office was closed) and

special visits were made by clergy when requested by patients.

There were 3169 visits to patients in this year and 168 received Holy Communion.

Pastoral care is not a calling which can be rushed although it is generally the patient

who determines the length of each visit. We find that a team of four people each week

functions well. Currently that is what we have but an extra person on the team would

allow members to attend 4 weeks out of 5 instead of every week as is now the case and

give greater flexibility with regard to sickness and other leave without having to call too

frequently on our support staff.

It takes time to obtain a placement in a suitable hospital and to undergo the training

required for a pastoral carer, therefore we must continue to encourage people to prepare

early if they have a desire to go down this path. The booklet put together by the vicar for

the Feast Day of St Luke gives a good account of some of the joy and inspiration that has

come from this work and I commend it to anyone thinking of such a journey.

Bryan Elmes

St George’s Anglican Church Malvern

Wardens Report on Protecting People and Property at AGM 22/11/2015

Throughout the 2015 year we have continued the process for bringing up to date and implementing Site and Occupational Health and Safety matters concerning risk management. We are using the Anglican Diocese of Melbourne’s (ADOM) procedural guidelines, check lists, hazard evaluation forms and periodic inspection and compliance returns covering Site Safety, OH&S as well as Professional Standards. Many improvements have been introduced during the year and are scheduled into the future. Some of the works undertaken this year have been:-

· Emergency Exit push down door handle systems on the North and South Transept doors · Rectification of defective emergency lighting systems at St George’s Centre · Major hard waste disposal via Council Clearance · Call for and evaluate quotations on works required to be effected during the next (2016) financial year

including, where appropriate, placement of orders to cover the:- Monitoring of the Chubb installed Church Fire Alarm Panel to the Fire Brigade – in the event of a fire; upgrade of the Church Digital Video Recording and Monitoring Security system for Church Security; Demolition and Replacement old and damaged paling fence (cost shared with Stonnington Council); intruder detection system and alarm siren at Vestry room.

St George’s OH&S reports

Prepared CHT St Georges

PLANNED THANKSGIVING REPORT

2014 - 2015 Planned Thanksgiving Pledges are made by Parishioners pledging in either Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly, Quarterly, Half-yearly and Yearly instalments, by using the direct debit (ADF) system or Envelope system. As the books closed on the Church’s previous financial year, the Church Wardens and Treasurer began the task of calculating the budget for the 2014/15 year with the Thanksgiving Pledges making up part of it. However they knew from past years, there was no guarantee that all pledge commitments would be met by 30th September 2015 and took into account the possibility of changed circumstances of our Pledge Givers. The Thanksgiving Pledge monies are budgeted against the Church and the Centre’s Maintenances, Utilities expenses, Salaries, insurances, etc., and your Treasurer and Church Wardens know such items are now much higher than last year and also acknowledge that Parishioners would also be experiencing the same high costs of living themselves. Similar to last year, the Planned Thanksgiving Pledges for 2014/15 has also experienced its highs and lows. This has been due to some Pledge Givers experiencing changes in their lives, but on a high note, I am pleased to report that the deficit was minimal in comparison to the previous year. As mentioned in the 2013/14 Report, I mailed 170 letters requesting Givers to consider increasing their Pledge for 2014/15 which was a hard decision on my part to do as I knew I was asking the same people to give more, with the end result of receiving only 8 positive replies. Mr. Malcolm Tadgell, Church Warden also mailed a further 80 letters to Parishioners seeking their financial assistance. The eight increased contributions made a difference but if 242 positive replies had been received, the Pledge Budget would have been met and the Church better off for it. I would like to ask this of the 168 recipients of my letter, to reconsider for 2015/16 to increasing your Pledge just a tad. Even an extra $2.00 per week from each of you, would total approximately $17,472.00 more for the Church - and in the same breath, I would like to ask other Parishioners who are not regular Thanksgiving Pledge Givers, to consider becoming one. I can provide Envelopes or an Application Form for the ADF Direct Debit, so please contact me by either telephoning 9807 0114 or email dgpowell@internode.on.net The following may help you to decide:-

1. Commitment - Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly, Quarterly, Half-yearly and Yearly instalments 2. Allocation - using Envelopes or setting up direct debit to the ADF (Anglican Diocese Fund). 3. Financial Commitment - $$ amount comfortable to your financial position.

Mrs. Maria Green, St George’s Business Manager (working hours 9.30am to 12.30pm on 9822 3030) can also assist with your enquiries. Before closing I would like to humbly thank the following:- First - My thanks go to all St George’s Parishioners whether they are a Thanksgiving Pledge Giver or Open Plate Giver. Your individual contributions this year has been appreciated and I know your Wardens and Council members thank you too. Secondly – My sincere thanks goes to Mrs Maria Green our Business Manager. Your support, patience and energy has been immeasurable and truly appreciated - thank you Maria. Lastly –To the Sunday Counters and Monday Bankers a BIG thank you for your support and commitment – again truly appreciated. Geraldine Geraldine Powell…..Co-ordinator Planned Thanksgiving Pledges Program 2nd November 2015

USHER/WELCOMERS REPORT 2014 to 2015

As much as I would like this report to be a positive one, as I am not so sure it will be. Over the past six years and especially in the past three, my team of Usher/Welcomers has diminished for one reason or another. In 2011/12 there were 22 members but by 2013/14 and start of 2015 the numbers dropped to 16 Ushers. Now going into the 2015/16 year, the team is now down to 14 Usher/Welcomers – four for the 8.00am Service and 10 for the 10.00am Service. it is difficult to understand that from the total of Parishioners attending St George’s Church, only fourteen people are available to offer their assistance as Usher/Welcomer at either Service. This means that the 8am Service has to rely on the same four people who willingly commit each week, meaning they seldom get a break, often having consecutive weeks on duty. I would appreciate your help please – just consider without your Usher/Welcomer, you would be entering the Church in its darkness with no heating on. Service books would have to be located and replaced at the end of each service by you. Also - where would you find the music and Pew Sheets? It is not hard being an Usher/Welcomer, in fact, it is quite enjoyable greeting Parishioners as they enter the Church but it does need commitment and attention to detail - an information sheet on procedures is available. If you could help, please contact me by telephone or email. My plea is genuine that this situation has to improve – for without Usher/Welcomers at the door, the feeling of friendliness and warmth that these people generate to others will be lost. I hope it does not come to this - please contact me if you are willing to join my team. In closing I wish to thank the current Usher/Welcomer team - your support this past year has been great and often going beyond the call of duty. Your co-operation and willingness to assist has helped me considerably in ensuring there is someone on duty each Sunday morning. David David Powell St George’s Church - Ushers Co-Ordinator Telephone 9807 0114 Email: dgpowell@internode.on.net

The Living Well Centre for Christian Spirituality Inc.

Report to St George’s Malvern AGM 22 November 2015

At the time of this meeting we are coming to the end of five years at St George’s Centre and in partnership with the parish. This continues to be a very fruitful journey and one for which we are very grateful. The splendid facilities of the parish centre serve our needs very well and everyone who comes here appreciates what is offered. The Vicar has continued as the Chairperson of our committee this year - a very tangible sign of our working together and we thank her for her willingness to assist us in this way. We thank the Wardens, Vestry and members of the parish community for your ongoing interest in our ministry and support for it. Here are some of the highlights of our year. Partnership with Dr Alexander Shaia and Quadratos. We are continuing to develop a partnership which offers Dr Shaia some sponsorship for the work he is doing in Australia each year. During this year we have made available to him our bookkeeping and banking services as an assistance for his programs. Spiritual Direction formation program. This Centre has been offering formation for spiritual directors for twenty one years. The current program is being very well received. It runs part-time over four years, comprising four sets of three days intensive work each year, with reading and writing assignments between each set of days. At the end of this year five people will graduate as fully accredited spiritual directors after their successful four years with us. We are blessed to have a very competent leadership team responsible for planning and leading each set of three days. Our thanks go to Cath Connelly, Vicki Demmer, Willy Maddock, Jack Stuart and Heather Northwood. The supervision team meets after each set of days to monitor and report on the progress of students, the written material from students, and the curriculum itself. Again we thank our supervisors Adrian Jones, Jean Penman, John Steward, Willy Maddock and Cath Connelly. At the start of 2015 we accepted six new participants. We are currently advertising next year’s program and seeking applications and again receiving strong interest. Many are also appreciating our invitation for graduates to attend the Wednesdays each time for their ongoing professional development and reflection on the new material. Monthly supervision groups. Once people graduate from the formation program and are accredited as spiritual directors, they are required to undertake ongoing supervision and professional development. This year we have offered three supervision groups meeting every month and they have been well accepted. Leaders of the groups have been Vicki Demmer and John Stewart. During the year we hosted a very successful training event for five days for those seeking to develop their skills as supervisors. We were privileged to have as leaders of the workshop Lucy Abbot Tucker, the Director of the Institute of Spiritual Leadership in Chicago, and

Sue Dunbar, the Director of Barnabas Ministries in Canberra. Supervisors from program all around Australia came to share this event with us.

Thursday spirituality program. This program has been running for many years and it is open to anyone interested in spirituality, prayer and human life and wellbeing. Once a month we meet and cover a wide range of topics, speakers and issues. The year’s program is published and available for anyone interested in joining us from time to time. It has been very pleasing to be able to welcome a number of members of St George’s Parish to these gatherings throughout the year. One to one spiritual direction. A number of directors book a room at St George’s Centre for conversations with people they are seeing regularly. This sessional approach is working well and provides a hospitable, professional environment for the ministry. It is also part of my own ongoing ministry to be seeing people in my room at the Centre.

Administration. This is the first year Suzanne Ashton has been our Administrator and she has done a splendid job for us. The role is quite diverse and requires a lot of skills. Suzanne has undertaken all that has been required of her with efficiency and charm. Thank you Suzanne. Website. Maria Green, who is the Business Manager of St George’s Parish, has very kindly looked after our website. We are very grateful to her in assisting us in her customary professional and skillful manner. Do check out www.livingwellcentre.org.au This ministry of ours is largely hidden and unnoticed and yet is an important part of the life of the Body of Christ. We seek to assist people to grow in their relationship with God and to find ways of serving God in the world. We repeat our thanks to the parish leaders and members for their encouragement of our being here. May God’s Spirit continue to transform and bless us all.

John Stewart and Cath Connelly Co-Directors

Music Report - St George’s Anglican Church, Malvern October 21, 2016

I write this report having been in the position of Director of Music for just 6 months. Firstly, I would like to thank Claire Sheppard and John Mallinson for their wonderful care of St George’s music and choir during the first months of the year. This included the busy season of Lent and Easter as well as a festive service of Evensong. This year has been one of ‘settling in’ for me personally. The choir has had a committed and stable membership of 12 throughout this period. Fortunately, this number is distributed relatively evenly across all 4 voices of the choir. There is still reason to be concerned about the small numbers in the choir: at this number, there is significant (and inappropriate) pressure on each individual to be present and the choir will be dramatically effected at any time when a few people are away by rea-son of holiday, ill health or other personal commitment. This practicality aside, the standards achieved by the choristers is routinely high and I’m confident that all members of the parish would share in my appreciation of the enrichment the choir gives to our Sunday services. St George’s has supported its choir through providing a workshop with an inspiring vocal coach, Kate Sadler. Also, the choir library has expanded to include resources to manage times when choir numbers are down as well as new repertoire to complement and extend the established library. The choir has again welcomed additional singers as we prepare for our Advent and Christmas ser-vices. We have strong forces committed to these services and I expect that the contribution of the choir to this season will continue to be uplifting and moving for all who attend. After a choir meeting earlier in the year, it was clear that it is very important to the regular choristers to sing at their church’s Christmas Eve service. All choristers are motivated to make sure that the high standards set at this service by the long involvement of Andrew Wailes and the Melbourne University Choral Society are maintained. The contribution of Andrew and his choir has been valued and appreciated by many, and I would again thank Andrew for this long association over the years. This year, there will clearly be some change to the character of the service, however I am confident that the Christ-mas Eve service at St George’s will continue to be both musically and liturgically satisfying. Do come and do bring a friend! Your church will not be filled with the family and friends of the mem-bers of the Melbourne University Choral Society! While settling in, my mind has turned principally to the challenge of sowing seeds for growth of the choir. My instinct is to focus on attempts to improve connection rather than standards per se. It is the same enormous challenge faced by most churches and their choirs. Some thought and effort has gone in to exploring the possibility of connecting with younger singers: this year, I have put in place a plan to gather school aged people to prepare Christmas music for our special 5pm chil-dren’s Christmas Eve service, and the Christmas Eve service itself. This seemed an almost insur-mountable challenge given the almost total absence of this age-group from our regular parishion-ers. I am very pleased to say that we do now already have a lovely group of singers committed and I am hopeful that the numbers might grow a little over the coming month before we start rehears-ing. I am thrilled to have the support and contribution of Cath Connolly in this project. Cath will play celtic harp to accompany the singers: I am sure that this will be a beautiful experience for the kids, as well as for those who sit and listen! Finally, I would like to thank all those who have welcomed me to the St George’s community this year, and all those who assist me in practical ways. In particular I would mention Claire Sheppard and Pam Felgate who constantly attempt to tame our music resources, despite their natural drive towards a state of chaos! Elizabeth-Anne Nixon Director of Music, St George’s Anglican Church, Malvern

St George’s Anglican Church, Malvern

REPORT FOR PARISH ANNUAL MEETING 2015

51ST Synod of the Diocese of Melbourne Special Session and Third Ordinary Session

Friday 19 June to Saturday 20 June and Wednesday 14 October to Saturday 17 October 2015

As is customary these sessions of 51st Synod commenced with a Choral Eucharist, the Preacher at the Special Synod in June was The Right Reverend Genieve Blackwell and in October The Venerable Dr Richard Condie, Archdeacon of Melbourne, Vicar St Jude’s Carlton. After the completion of both services there was a break so the Cathedral could be prepared for the commencement of the business of the Synod sessions. The Archbishop then delivered his Charge to Synod, these are published in TMA. The special synod in June was primarily to consider Melbourne Anglican Diocesan Corporation Bill 2015 and the Melbourne Anglican Diocesan Corporation (Transitions, Consequential Amendments and Repeals) Bill 2015. In other words, to provide for incorporation under the Corporation Act 2001 of a company by which all stipendiary and lay staff would be employed and to satisfy the requirements of the Work Cover Authority. There was much robust debate prior to these Bills being passed. The October sessions covered the receiving of the 2014 Diocesan Accounts, adoption of the 2016 Budget, amendments to the Parish Governance Act 2013, adoption of the Episcopal Standards Bill 2015, the revision of Long Service Leave entitlements for clergy, the repeal of the Regions of the Diocese Act 1997. We also received many reports amongst them Becoming Mission Shaped, Family Violence, Prevention of Violence against Women, End of Life Choices, Equal Educational Opportunities, Asylum Seekers, Pilgrim Faith Education Material and the report from a Survey of Persons ordained Priest. We also gave thanks for the service to the Diocese as a member of Synod to Dr Muriel Porter OAM and Mrs Janet Nelson. As well as the Condolence motion recognising the contribution of members of Synod (Clergy and Lay) who have died since the October 2014 meeting of Synod. Saturday lunch time the clergy and lay representative of St George’s gathered with some others on the lawn for a shared picnic lunch. Elections for parish representatives to the 52nd Synod will be held in 2016 when the Archbishop’s Mandate to Elect is issued. Helen Gilbert on behalf of St George’s Synod representatives Clergy: The Vicar, The Curate, The Revd John Stewart and Elected lay parish representatives: Helen Gilbert, Judy Wright and Malcolm Tadgell.

ST GEORGE’S ANGLICAN CHURCH, MALVERN

GARDENING REPORT – 2014/2015

Fine spring weather following on a chilly winter combined to produce an excellent display in the gardens again this year. New gardens now fill once bare open spaces, blossom trees bring colour to the backdrop of traditional green trees, swathes of golden daffodils sweep across the fine lawns.

Credit for the gardens goes to the small group of garden lovers who work each Thursday afternoon and to those parishioners who help on Working Bees. Now down to four regular gardeners, we have engaged a gardening company on three occasions to do the heavy work our garden group cannot do such as trimming the high hedges, planting out gardens beside the church entry and the rose garden in the northwest corner, and relocating the garden bench from the Garden of Remembrance to the front lawn. The garden group is always busy with jobs such as planting Callistemons along the new driveway fence, maintaining the shrubs, feeding, shaping and watering and mowing lawns. The contractor provides helpful professional advice about garden design mulches all prunings and distributes them onto the gardens or into compost heaps – invaluable services in a garden of this size.

Support by our parishioners is very important in maintaining the gardens. Thank you for your generous donations for the beautiful Camp David roses, now in full bloom. Thank you for your advice and encouragement about the church garden in earlier years. There is not a week passes by without visitors commenting very favourably about the gardens and St George’s Church.

There is always more work to be done. The area of bare ground beside the entry driveway needs landscaping to make it more welcoming. The challenge will be to find plants which will tolerate the shade cast by the Green Cedar and Cape Chestnut. But what would life be like without a challenge?

Ron Tayles

08/11/2015

SAINT GEORGE'S ANGLICAN CHURCH

FLOWER GUILD

ANNUAL REPORT 2015 We are privileged to be involved in decorating the church for weekly services, and also for Christmas, Easter and Pentecost festivals, special events, weddings, memorial flowers and funerals. It is a tradition to have fresh flowers in the church, apart from during the seasons of Lent and Advent. In the weeks leading up to Christmas, we have the traditional Advent wreath. With our flower arranging, it is our intention to follow the liturgical colours and traditions where appropriate. Thank you to our Flower Guild team members – Deirdre Barnett, Brian Corless, Philippa Dickie, Pam Felgate, Linda Hambleton, Judy Mallinson and Lyn Swan. Also thank you to the many parishioners who offer their valuable assistance in helping to prepare the festive church flowers at the Easter and Christmas working bees. You are most welcome to join our team. Experience is definitely not necessary!! All that is needed is an interest in being creative with flowers and foliage. We can help you to develop your skills by working with one of our more experienced team members. This is how we started in the Flower Guild. If you wish to find out more please contact me. Parishioners are welcome to give a donation for flowers as a memorial or as a celebration of a special occasion. Please contact me if you would like to discuss this opportunity. We would also welcome contributions of interesting and varied foliage from your gardens, which we could incorporate into our floral arrangements. Please contact me to discuss the possibilities. Merrin James Team Leader 0409 637 746

ST GEORGE’S ANGLICAN CHURCH – MALVERN

Shawl Mission Knitting Group

We are a happy band of knitters meeting the second Tuesday of the month (except January) in the North Meeting Room.

We donate all our efforts to K.O.G.O. (Knit One Give One) which is a volunteer organisation distributing to aid outlets all over Australia from Austcare, Hospitals, Jewish Charities, refugees, Soup Kitchens and Indigenous communities in the Northern Territory. Our efforts include Beanies, Scarves, Slippers, Jumpers, Baby Rugs and Jackets and blankets and shawls. All in all over 150 articles.

I wish to thank all our members and friends who have donated their time and wool over the year and we would welcome new members.

Lynette Swan

St Alban’s Food Relief Collection

Once again food and money has been collected throughout the year at the 8am Service for the Food Relief Program at St Alban’s Parish.

From January to October $1300 was given and baskets of food. A donation was also given from the sale of jams thanks to Monica Shepherd.

We are collecting each Sunday in November for a bumper effort for Christmas.

Many thanks to Tim, Miriam, Leigh, Don and Shirley, and Lyn who made the journey across the Westgate and down the Western Ring Road to deliver the groceries.

St George’s is one of the major supporters of the program and our generosity is much appreciated, and we are remembered in their prayers.

Thanks to Colleen and to Leigh for their unfailing support.

Helen Baddeley

St George’s Anglican Church

Summary from Maria Green – Parish Manager – St George’s Centre

Life in the office at St George’s is always busy and full of activity. It is a position which I hold with high regard and enjoy every moment of.

Apart from the everyday running of St George’s, I have been establishing a list of hirers (along with our existing hirers of Kiddy Gym and Living Well Centre) who will continue to bring a steady income into St George’s. There are times when you will come to St George’s during the week and will see a lot of hustle & bustle and wonder what is going on here today?

Following is a list of some of the regular hirers we have now secured at St George’s for 2015 and look forward to finalising the 2016 agreements:

· Kiddy Gym · Living Well Centre · Inform Health & Physio – rehabilitation physio · Alfred Health – offering carers workshops · Cabrini Vale - offering care service to bereaved · Recorder Group –rehearsals · Men In Suits – rehearsals · ALP – monthly meeting · Liberal Party – quarterly meeting · Kids First Aid Course · First Aid Course · Toddler Drama / Dancing Classes · Christian Meditation Group & CMC Oblates · Strata Management Groups / Body Corporate Groups · Marshall White Sales Staff training · Noahs Ark – Supporting children with illnesses · Malvern Central Primary School – teachers workshops · Stonnington Pre-School – parents meetings · Japanese Paper Craft workshop · Management Training Groups · Bottanica Health & Wellbeing · And more one off groups that come to meet at St George’s Centre

FOR DISCUSSION

1) Contract for Kiddy Gym – up for renewal. Normally two years. Will be 2015 and 2016. Due for a CPI Increase

2) Federal Elections 2016 – clause exists in Kiddy Gym Contract only. “Should a Federal or State election be held during 2015/2016 – the Hirer agrees, if necessary, to operate in a reduced mode as per recent experience If Parish is successful in leasing the hall to the Federal / State government for election purposes. A rebate of $300 per week commensurate with the hall space used by the Electoral Office will be allowed to the Hirer. The mode and space will not be any more reduced that it was during the last federal election” We need to think of what to do with other hirers.

3) Hirers charges – All charges for the 2016 contracts need to be increased for CPI / Utility rises

4) Website – is all updated regularly and good positive feedback from parishioners. I have trained most to go to website to access information they require (ie: reading sheets)

5) New Phone System – working well and cost effective.

6) Any works on grounds - Must come through office. We had an instance whereby a phone line in the vicarage was cut off thinking it was not being used.

7) Car Parking - a continual problem with non St George’s cars parking here. A note is left on windows when noticed.

MOTHER’S UNION REPORT Mother's Union has continued to meet on the first Tuesday of each month. Our group is shrinking but we still enjoy each other's company chatting over lunch and listening to some very interesting speakers. This year our vicar Colleen conducted a Lenten study which was, as usual, informative and enjoyable. We heard a little of Curate Jacquie's life story and have decided we need to hear more at a future date. Joanne and Joy Venville told us of M.U. work in Africa accompanied by a visual display and parishioner, Andrea King shared her story as a Gallery Guide at the N.G.V. We were so interested that Andrea agreed to conduct a guided tour of the Heritage exhibition for the Parish. Our Big Roast Lunch in July was a huge success with over 80 parishioners and friends attending and enjoying the wonderful lunch provided by Ian's Catering and listening to Tim Costello A.M. telling of his work as C.E.O. of World Vision. The lunch is our main fund raiser and this year resulted in raising $1800. During the year we conducted a trading table and sold Easter Eggs made by Elisabeth Bettoni and were able to donate $250 to the Aboriginal Literacy Fund. The money from the lunch will be used to support M.U. Projects including overseas aid and outreach in Australia. As M.U. members we supported Lady Day at the Cathedral, World Day of Prayer, and the Wave of Prayer, and to wind up the Calendar Year we celebrate Christmas with a lunch at Giorgio's. I would like to thank all our lovely ladies for their support, fellowship and friendship and extend an invitation to other Parishioners to join our group Robin Barrett

St. George’s Anglican Church Malvern

Mothers Union

Statement of Income and Expenditure

for the

Twelve months ended September 30th 2015

Opening Balance 1st October 2014 $1,994.82

Income: Subscriptions $499.00 Tea Money $148.85 Luncheon Tickets $3,524.00 Donations $155.00 Bank Interest $0.13cents Total Income $4,326.98

Expenditure: M.U. Projects $1,500 M.U. Subs $475.00 Book of Memory $20.00 Catering $1,783.99 Aboriginal Literacy $250.00 Total Expenditure $4,028.99 Closing Balance $2,292.81 Angelina Chiew Yook Sullivan Treasurer

St George’s Anglican Church, Malvern

FRIDAY LUNCHEON GROUP

Report to Annual Meeting of Parish

The group’s luncheons are held on the third Friday of the even-numbered months - six per year. Since the last Annual Meeting the luncheons and guest-speakers have been as follows:-

19th December 2014 Luncheon at Malvern Vale Hotel

20th February 2015 Rev. Jacqui Smith (Assistant Curate)

17th April 2015 Maria Green (Parish Office Administration)

19th June 2015 - Eric Easton (Financial Records Advisor)

21st August 2015 - Luncheon but no guest-speaker

19th November 2015 (Projected) Elizabeth – Anne Nixon (Parish Organist and Director of Music)

Attendances are not large at our gatherings, averaging about six to eight, but our speakers always have interesting tales to tell us about the lives they have led. If any parishioners have suggestions as to possible guest-speaker for 2016 and / or ways to increase attendances, the convenor would be glad to hear from them.

John G B Perry (Convenor)

ST GEORGE’S ANGLICAN CHURCH MALVERN

Annual Report 2015

POETRY GROUP

During 2015, the St George’s Poetry Group, ably chaired by John Perry, has met on the second Monday of each month, at 1pm in the North Room. Our numbers have sadly declined this year, but the 3- 4 of us who bring a poem to share each month, enjoy discussing a wide range of poetry in depth. Let’s burst into verse……

Our Poetry Group has a lovely time,

Exploring all sorts of poetry & rhyme!

So many poems each month we traverse –

Traditional, modern, blank poetry & verse.

International, Australian, from all the world o’er,

So much of the poet’s world to explore.

Come and join us, share some verse and rhyme

To have a friendly and poetical time!

We would like to pay tribute to Val Edwards, a keen Poetry Group Member, who died on 29th August 2015. With the poems she brought along to share, she included well researched and written short biographies of the poets. Her expertise in this, helped us appreciate more fully, the poems we read, and the writers who created them. We will always remember the special dimension she brought to our gatherings.

Thank you John Perry for heading our Poetry Group in 2015, and making our gatherings to enjoyable!

Kaye Gooch

St George’s Poetry Group Member

THE FIELD COMMITTEE

The Field Committee is a requirement of the Anglican Diocese of Melbourne for the Supervised Theological Field Education for deacons and newly ordained priests. Its purpose:

1. Provides support and feedback on the Assistant Curate’s ministry, experience and learning. 2. Affirms the role of ‘laos’ – the people of God. 3. Works in consultation with the Training Supervisor (Canon O’Reilly). 4. Provides the A/Curate with a mixture of subjective and objective feedback. 5. Provides the A/Curate with opportunities to test out her ideas about ministry, theology,

spirituality, and interpersonal relationships.

Members of the Field Committee are Jacqui Smith, Simon Dickie, Bryan Elmes, Meg Winter, and Sandra Legg (Chair). The committee meets monthly for approximately 1.5 hrs with a formal agenda, which consists of: A/Curate’s Progress Report – pastoral, liturgical, and administrative; Preaching; A/Curate’s Goals and Position Description; Discussion topics such as spiritual, theological, psychological, intellectual, ministerial, ecclesial, missional, and service in the market-place. Minutes of the committee are documented and recorded.

From a lay perspective the A/Curate is encouraged, monitored, and evaluated in accordance with her position description and goals, and parishioner/client feedback. All members of the committee make themselves available for support, encouragement and feedback. A formal Field Committee Assessment was submitted to the Diocese prior to the A/Curate’s Ordination to the Priesthood.

It has been a privilege to work on this committee for 2015 and I thank members for their commitment and ‘witness’. All members thank the Vicar for entrusting us with this special responsibility, and the A/Curate for sharing her ‘journey’ with us. We wish Jacqui Smith God’s blessing and prayers as she moves towards her Ordination as priest and beyond.

Professor Sandra Legg AM

Chair

St George’s Anglican Church Malvern Vicar’s report to the Annual Meeting of the Parish 2015.

It has been my custom to report at some length on parish activities and on my questions and thoughts about the future of the Anglican Church in this part of the Communion. This year I made my remarks from the pulpit so that everyone, and not just those who attend this meeting, would hear them. I always take some time to thank the many, many people who make things happen each week, or who serve the parish in the many ways that are need to lead and provide ministry. In fact I try to thank people as I see them going about these tasks. I often name people in this report, especially those who put in long hours as office holders. This year I am going to depart from my practice with one exception. Mr Brian Corless OAM is retiring from Vestry after more years than even he can recall – although of course, as parish archivist he has kept the record! Brian will continue in other roles but it is right that we thank him for his exceptional service as the Vestry Secretary with all that has involved over decades. I have asked Dr Alan Gregory to speak on behalf of the parish as we say thank you…… Now, the reason I have changed my style this year is a simple one. As I was saying earlier, parishes like ours must learn to BE the church, not simply come to church. The people of God, the loas, is ALL the baptised. What we do as a consequence of being baptised and what we do and where we sit when we gather to worship is all about our individual gifts and graces, not status. The clergy are ‘up front’ so you can see us. Yes, the bishop authorises the ordained to be and do particular ministries. But all have a ministry, a way of serving the greater ministry of Christ through the parish and the common good of our shared life in Christ by doing what we will, for the sake of the whole. Clergy do not ‘run’ the parish with helpers. We together are the parishioners called to be friends of Jesus and of one another, each with a purpose within the overarching reason we exist: to be the Body of Christ in Malvern, keeping the rumour of God alive and telling others of the good news of lives that find fulfilment in Christ. It’s a paradigm shift. It’s a game changer over time and it’s the conversion of thought and practice parishes such as ours will need to live into as we go forward, or our way of expressing the Christian faith will die. Now, we are buffered against closure by many things – resources, history and people - and I do believe St George’s will be here in a hundred years. But let’s wake up to reality and learn the content of the Christian faith, rediscover the content of the scriptures, make ourselves and our message known and pack the saddle bags for the future.

Holy Baptism 30 Confirmation 0 Reception into the Anglican Church 0 Admission to Holy Communion 0

Marriages 2 Funerals 26 Anointing 3 Home/hospital communion 253 nursing home/hospital

55 in the home St George’s Malvern 2015