Morning Tea for the Mothers’ Union, Brisbane Diocese, to Celebrate 110 years of Service

I am delighted to welcome you all to Fernberg.

It is my great pleasure to offer you the hospitality of Government House as you celebrate this wonderful milestone of 110 years of the Mothers’ Union of the Diocese of Brisbane, so soon after last month’s memorable thanksgiving service and high tea!

Every day in our wonderful community people come together, in groups, large and small, to pursue a goal, or to foster an idea.

Most of those groups will peter out, for one reason or another.

To not simply endure, but to flourish for 110 years, the Mothers’ Union of the Brisbane Diocese must be doing something right.

Or to look at it through the prism of the Psalms[1]: “But the plans of the Lord stand firm, the purposes of his heart through all generations.”

The story of the foundress of the Mothers Union, Mary Sumner, is inspiring.

Like so many women, she held her infant children and found herself overwhelmed by the responsibility of raising another human being.

Unlike many other women, she felt called to help others.

She had found her vocation.

To find your vocation is such a blessing in life – even though it was not until the birth of her own grandchild that she found the possibility of acting upon it.

Since its founding in 1876 in a rural vicarage drawing room, the Mothers’ Union has spread throughout the world.

Like so many British institutions, it has flourished far from home, especially here in Australia.

Through war and peace, and through a changing world, the Mothers’ Union has stayed faithful to the essential truth that strong families are nurtured by strong communities.

The resilience of the Mothers’ Union, and its sense of dignity and purpose, mirrors that of the organisation’s Patron, Queen Elizabeth II.

I’d like to take this opportunity to thank Marilyn Dunning for her five years of outstanding service as Diocesan President.

As you Patron, I want to sincerely congratulate all the members of the Mothers’ Union in the Brisbane Diocese on reaching this milestone anniversary, and to thank you for all you do to support, to nurture and to protect Queensland families.

 [1] Psalm 33:11, New International Version.