Last Wednesday 25 July 2012 some 80 people from across Gippsland visited The Abbey
of St Barnabas at A’Beckett Park to mark the dedication of 1 First Parade as Ena
Sheumack House and also for the dedication of a clavinova given by
Georgina and Scott Evans.
Ena Sheumack, the wife of Bishop Colin Sheumack, Bishop of Gippsland from 1987-1994,
was much loved among the people of Gippsland. Following her death the AWA women of
Gippsland established a trust fund in her honour and marked this fund to support the
development of A’Beckett Park.
This gift has been generously given to enable the initial stages of the development of The
Abbey of St Barnabas at A’Beckett Park. In honour of Ena Sheumack and in recognition
of the love people held for Ena, the residence at The Abbey has been named in her
honour.
Last Wednesday 25 July 2012, Right Reverend John McIntyre, Bishop of Gippsland
dedicated 1 First Parade as Ena Sheumack House. Mrs Annabel Gibson spoke words of
tribute for her friend, Ena Sheumack, and presented a framed needlework cross stitch of
the AWA prayer to be hung in Ena Sheumack House.
Also as part of this same occasion was great celebration as the new clavinova for St
Barnabas Church was dedicated. Given by Scott and Georgina Evans as a mark of their
love for The Abbey and their enjoyment of music , Bishop John McIntyre dedicated the
clavinova. Georgina was present with her son Brian Taylor.
Judy Rennick played the instrument for the first time and all sang the song that was
composed by islanders when St Barnabas was first brought here in the early 1990s. This
was followed by a second hymn, the navy hymn, selected by Georgina Evans for the
occasion.
Visitors to The Abbey joined in Illawarra for lunch and further remembrances, took the
opportunity to look around at the new developments, enjoy the wonderful weather or just
look at the Lake before boarding their bus or climbing in their cars to travel back to their
various parishes and homes.
Celebrations at The Abbey
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Edie Ashley July 2012
Ena Sheumack House
