Ecumenical Service celebrates 150 years of helping Australians in need

To mark Mission Australia's 150th Anniversary, a special Ecumenical Service took place last Tuesday at St John's Cathedral in Brisbane City.

Led by Peter Devenish-Meares, one of Mission Australia's Queensland Chaplains, the Service was attended by Mission Australia's Board of Directors, Executive Leadership Team and CEO Toby Hall.

The service was a great opportunity to celebrate, commemorate and thank those throughout Queensland and Australia, who have supported Mission Australia over the past 150 years.

"Without the services and support of those people we would not have been able to help more than 330,000 people last year, and continue to help those in need", Mr Hall stated.

Clients and staff, both past and present, joined in the celebration to commemorate their own personal experiences with Mission Australia.

The Pathways Choir of Clients and Staff, drawn from Mission Australia's Pathways to Prevention Program, made their singing debut. They performed a song written especially for the service, symbolising their personal achievements through the Pathways Program. A transcript of their song can be found below.

The service gave thanks to the volunteers, donors, supporters and friends, who have helped make Mission Australia what it is today - one of Australia's largest and longest serving community service organisations.

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View the full photo gallery here.

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The Pathways Song - Music and lyrics by Sue Swindon and Mission Australia Pathways to Prevention, sung by Mission Australia Pathways ‘Choir of Clients and Staff’, arranged by David McGregor:

This land was ours before all time,
It’s mysteries we knew.
‘Til hist’ry took our way of life,
And it took the children too.
But we dare to walk the road
Of “Sorry” and all that means.
‘Cos we won’t let nobody,
Nobody take our dreams.

They came to serve a prison term;
Were seeking unknown lands.
Came to work the soil.
Diggers fought with their own hands.
They came to find the gold and treasure
Before it was too late.
Now there is the sand and surf,
And ev’ry one’s called “mate”.

We may speak in different tongues
But our voice can be as one
Hope for families strong and free
Being all that we can be

We stand together
We stand as one
In this land of burning sun
We can build a brighter day
We can make a better day

This land has been a refuge
From places torn by war.
Took the road by land and sea
Wanting so much more.
But we live with hidden loss,
With sadness and with pain.
But there is no turning back,
No turning back again.

The islands we once called our home,
But it’s here that we have come.
A future for our young and old
When all is said and done.
But we remember life is hard
For those we’ve left behind.
So ways to stay connected
We will always find.

So when the night is cold and
We feel worry and despair.
We know our friends and neighbours
And Pathways will be there.

Many will still find their home
In this land with much to share,
Seeking safety, to live and love –
A place where others care.
But not without some fear and tears
Will they come to our land?
So we commit to give our hearts
And give a helping hand.

Further reading:

• Pathways to Prevention choir make their recording debut (March 2010)
• Recording of The Pathways Song