Fixed allowance

Father Francis Otobo, St Mary’s Cathedral Dean, led the second reading. The choir was comprised of members of St Mary’s Cathedral Choir, the choir from Gippsland Grammar, and members of the Gippsland Grammar community.

Photos: Stefan Bradley. The Very Reverend Keren Terpstra, Dean of Sale during the service.

Honorary Canon Rev David Head. All faiths celebrate The Queen

Stefan Bradley

GOD save the Queen. A portrait of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was front and centre for about 125 mourners at St Paul’s Cathedral in Sale on Thursday night. The cathedral welcomed all faith traditions to attend the solemn Choral Evensong, and nearly every seat was occupied by those wishing to commemorate Australia’s longest head of state. The choir was comprised of members of St Mary’s Cathedral Choir, the choir from Gippsland Grammar, and members of the Gippsland Grammar community, with direction from acting principal Michele Wakeham and Dr Kevin Cameron. Julie Peavey performed the role of organist. The Very Reverend Keren Terpstra, Dean of Sale, began with The Bidding and Acknowledgement of Traditional Custodians. “As one family under God, we come together to give thanks for the life and service of our most gracious Sovereign Lady, Elizabeth, our late Queen,” Dean Keren said. “Her grace, humanity and sympathy, for her courage in adversity, for the happiness she brought to so many, for her steadfast pilgrimage of faith, for her example of service, and for the duty which she rendered unflinchingly to this nation and the Commonwealth of Nations, we thank and praise almighty God.” “As we commend his servant Elizabeth to God’s mercy, let us especially pray for her son, King Charles, and Queen Consort Camilla, her grandson William, Prince of Wales, and all her family in their loss.” The opening responses were led by The Right Reverend Dr Richard Treloar, Bishop of Gippsland.

The Right Reverend Dr Richard Treloar and Bishop of Gippsland, The Reverend David Perryman.

Bible readings were delivered by Annette Hollonds,

Wellington Shire councillor Carmel Ripper and

Father Francis Otobo, St Mary’s Cathedral Dean. The Dean introduced the prayers of thanksgiving. “In faith let us pray to our risen Lord Jesus Christ, who is the resurrection and life of all who trust in him, remembering before him our late Sovereign

Elizabeth, Queen of Australia, whom we now recall in a moment of silent prayer,” the Dean said. Attendees stayed silent as Associate Pastor Sale

Baptist Jacquie Postlethwaite, Samuel Lindsay

Associate Pastor Sale Baptist Jacquie Postlethwaite, Samuel Lindsay from Flooding Creek Community Church and Neil Ross from St Columba’s Uniting Church each led a prayer.

from Flooding Creek Community Church, Neil Ross from St Columba’s Uniting Church, and Honorary Canon Reverend David Head each led a prayer with the Dean concluding. In her sermon, Dean Keren reflected. “When I turned on the news last Friday morning it was a sense of shock I’m sure many of us felt: The Queen had died,” the Dean said. “It came as a shock, not because we weren’t expecting it; she was 96 and increasingly frail, handing over tasks and sharing duties with other so-called ‘senior’ royals. But it was a shock because this remarkable woman’s reign has defined our lives. “She’s an institution, almost as if The Queen would always be ‘The Queen’ - and after 70 years on the throne, it’s understandable that the inevitability of her death has not been front and centre in our expectations.” The Dean described The Queen’s life as spanning a time of great change. The world today with mobile phones, sending probes to outer space and a global economy seems like something “out of science fiction” when you look back to the time she ascended the throne. “Today we are here to remember and give thanks for the late Queen. We remember and give thanks for a human being who was flawed and wonderful, who lived as far as was possible with grace. “May she rest in peace and rise in glory.” Bishop Richard read a letter from the late Queen, dated August 3 2022, which was read to delegates at the recent Lambeth Conference. After a musical reflection to the words of John Rutter’s ‘The Lord bless you and keep you’, the Bishop in prayer commended and entrusted Queen Elizabeth into God’s care. The congregation joined in singing the National Anthem and The Hymn to the King’s Majesty. And with that, the Sanctuary party left the church to the sound of Ms Peavey’s organ playing, and the service was over. King Charles III is Australia’s new monarch, but the churchgoers at St Paul’s will never forget the 70-year reign of late Sovereign, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, defender of the faith and Supreme Governor of the Church of England.

Meet your candidate.

Greg Hansford, your Upper House candidate for the Eastern Victorian Region will be appearing at the Gwen Webb Centre, Market St., Sale on Sunday, 25th September commencing 2pm. So come along and find out why your vote will be critical for Sale and District this November, and make sure to bring your questions!