Announcements
Uncle Arnold Comes Home
On Sabbath the 25th of November, it was our privilege and delight to welcome Br. Arnold Matthies back into church membership, after nearly 60 years. Br. Arnold was a church worker in the 1950s and 60s. Originally from Christchurch, NZ, Arnold’s family moved to Australia. He attended Hebron Missionary College and entered the work. The minutes of the Victorian Field in 1955 record the anticipation of the brethren for him and his wife Gwenda to move to Melbourne. There he…
In Loving Memory – John and Sandra Gibbons
Harold John Gibbons was born on the 3rd of December, 1936, in Lake Cargelligo, NSW. John grew up on the family farm, living through droughts, floods, dust storms and mouse plagues. He learned resilience and resourcefulness, which meant he always loved fixing things and making things. At age 21, while working in Papua New Guinea, John became ill with polio and had to return to Australia to recover. Although doctors said he would never walk again, John was determined to…
In Loving Memory of Latza Barat
A Tribute by Esther Boje Latza Barat, “Baka” as she was fondly known to many, was born in Trsje, Macedonia on the 14th of March, 1931. She was a twin. Sadly, her twin Lena died at the tender age of two years old. She attended school for six months before the school was shut down due to the war. With limited schooling she was still able to learn to read and write in many languages, not only in Macedonian. Latza…
Condolences to the Payet Family
We were sad to learn that the mother of Br. Jacques Payet passed away in June. Our sincere sympathies go to Br. Jacques and his family during their time of sorrow. We pray each family member feels God’s loving arms around them, as you mourn the loss of your mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. May the blessed hope of the resurrection morning help to bring comfort to your hearts during this time of grief. Br. Jacques, originally from the Seychelles, now…
Baptism in the Seychelles
“I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.” Luke 15:10. On the 13th of June, my wife and I made our way to the Seychelles. In times past, such a journey has always been associated with gladness especially at the thought of fresh island air and spending time with family. However, it was not so this time as the aim of this trip was to bid farewell to…
In Loving Memory – Maria Esman
Maria Esman 9 December 1933 – 19 June 2022 It was a full house on Sunday the 3rd of July as family and friends gathered at the church in Somerton Park to pay their respects and give tribute to the life of Maria Esman. The service started and finished with some of her favourite hymns, and stories and memories were shared to honour her life. The following is some of what was shared on the day. Maria was born on…
In Loving Memory – Milivoj Dimitrijevic
Milivoj Dimitrijevic 18th June, 1930 to 16th February, 2022 Milivoj Dimitrijevic served for many years in ministry and missions work. We acknowledge his service in the cause of God and offer our condolences to his family. The following tribute was prepared by his children. Dad was born on the 18th of June, 1930 to parents, Djurica and Olga Dimitrijevic, in Novi Knjezevac, in what was then known as Yugoslavia, now called Serbia. He was the eldest of four children, followed…
In Loving Memory – Bozena Vatala
Bozena Vatala21st November, 1935 to 28th January, 2022 We would like to extend our deepest condolences to the family of our dear Sr Bozena Vatala, who was laid to rest on the 28th January 2022 while residing at the Adventist Retirement Village. May God place His loving arms around each family member as you mourn for the loss of you dear Mother, Grandmother and Great-grandmother. We look forward to the day when we shall meet once again at Jesus’ feet.…
In Loving Memory – Mira Ilic
Mira Ilic 8th March, 1938 to 25th January, 2022 Mira (Jugović) Ilić, known to most as Mima, was born in the town of Jazavica, near Novska, the youngest daughter of Ivan and Reza Jugović. She had two sisters and two brothers: Marija (Seka), born 1927; Mijo, born 1929; Zora, born 1933; and Zdravko, born 1935. Mima lost her mother at an early age – she was only 4 years old when her mother passed away in 1942. Her father remarried…
Baptism and Wedding Vow Renewal
20th March, 2022 Tony and Irene Williams first came in contact with the Guildford Church a few years back when they attended a branch Sabbath School that was running every Sabbath morning in a neighbouring suburb. After attending church meetings for a while, they stopped coming until several months ago, when they decided to make Guildford Church their home church. We have enjoyed their fellowship very much and were delighted when they decided to be baptised. Although both had been…
In Loving Memory of Grace Barnett
14 June 1930 – 28 December 2021 Grace Jean Barnett passed away on 28 December, 2021, aged 91 years. She was the third daughter of Ted and Violet Burley, born on 14 June, 1930 at Miles, Qld. Grace’s young life was spent on properties in western Queensland. Living in the country, social and church life was limited, but thanks to one older sister, an interdenominational Bible study group was conducted but unfortunately later closed down by the Church of England…
In Loving Memory of Lydia Kraus
14 June 1935 – 25 December 2021 In the book of Colossians (3:12), the Bible tells us to clothe ourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. For us, this is how we see Lydia Kraus touching the lives of all who knew her. Born on 14 June 1935 in Wilhelminenort, in a fertile agricultural region of east Germany, she came into the world as a blue baby, born in the hay, during the busy summer harvest. Mum was the…
In Loving Memory of Nikola Popovik
14.05.1956 – 05.11.2021 Adapted from the eulogy read at the funeral of Br. Nikola Popovik. We thank God for Nikola’s life and remember him for what he was—a truly lovely person: generous, righteous, positive, with a great sense of humor, caring and always putting others before himself. Nikola was born into a happy family. Both Nikola and his only sibling, his sister Olga who is six years younger, were born in Skopje, the capital of Republic of North Macedonia, at…
A Tribute to Steven Lett
By Nathan Tyler Those who knew Steve Lett knew a quiet but earnest man who thought about big ideas and always wanted to develop his talents and learn more. Born in 22 December 1965, Steve has family around NSW and Victoria. He spent the last number of years in Belfrayden, NSW with his wife, Debbie. In 2019, Steve requested rebaptism. It had been my privilege to perform this on the 14th of April of that year, near Wagga Wagga. Steve…
In Loving Memory of Colin Hammond
By Paula Hammond Colin Ronald Hammond was born on the 22nd of March, 1964 in Carlton, Victoria. His father’s name was Ronald Ernest Hammond and his mother’s name was Patricia Maureen O’Toole. There were five children – Colin, his 3 sisters and 1 brother. Colin’s childhood was not a very happy one. Home life was very tough for him and sadly, from the age of 13, he was asked to leave home by his father. Even though his mother wanted…
In Memory of Peter James Jackson
It is with great sadness that we report the passing of Brother Peter Jackson, former Australasian Union Conference Secretary, and much-loved brother in Christ. Brother Peter Jackson was first introduced to the Third Angel’s Message through his wife-to-be, Sister Charmaine. While he was still in the Royal Australian Air Force, he read the book The Great Controversy, became convinced of the Present Truth, and gained an early discharge from the Air Force. After receiving Bible Studies from Brother Neville Brittain,…
Baptism in Queensland
In the book of Luke, chapter 15, we find a parable of Jesus which He concluded like this, “Likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just person which need no repentance.” On May 22, 2021 the brethren from Queensland held a combined Sabbath meeting, with visitors from New South Wales attending, along with friends and relatives of Sr. Aimasi Jenny Foaese, who was getting baptised on this day. The divine…
Trafford Hughes Baptism
Yowah, QLD — We were blessed to visit brethren in country Queensland in January, and we had a wonderful Sabbath together with Br Trafford Hughes, Sr Valda Hughes and Sr Dorothy Kelly. We praise God that Br Trafford Hughes decided to recommit his life to God. He was baptised on the 23rd of January 2021 in a small country town in far west Queensland. May God bless Br Trafford and his wife, Sr Valda and keep them by His grace. Please…
In Loving Memory of Our Dear Sister Alexandrina Silva
The Australasian Union Conference extends our sincere condolences to the Silva Family. May God comfort each one of you through the loss of your loved one. It is with great sadness that we wish to inform you that our dear Sister Alexandrina fell asleep in Jesus on the 6th August 2020 in the city of São Paulo, Brazil. In faith, we look forward to the resurrection morning, when we will once more be with our loved ones. “For if we…
SA Baptism – Brett Wilcox
It was with great joy and refreshingly cooler weather that the baptismal drought in South Australia was broken on Sabbath, the 18th of January 2020. Brother Brett Wilcox has finally decided to make the ‘plunge’ and join Jesus publicly. After studying, on and off over the years, the reasons for our little company’s existence and the Present Truth, he is uniting with God and the church. He has studied with our brethren at Brisbane (Clayfield), in Perth (Guilford), and now…