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Tasmanian Anglican

December 2003

 

 

 

 

 


The RAN Colour Party presents the colours to the Rev. Bill Jolly at St George's, Battery Point.

 

Colourful ceremonial
at St George's, Battery Point

by Miriam Court

 

 

On Sunday 19 October St George's, Battery Point held the 69th Annual Mariners' Service, in conjunction with the Royal Australian Navy.

The Mariners' Service has been held every year since 1934, usually on the Sunday nearest to Trafalgar Day (the anniversary of the great naval battle of Trafalgar, fought in October 1805). It grew out of Battery Point's connections with the maritime community.

Back in the 1830s, when St George's was built, Battery Point was home to master mariners, shipwrights, seamen, fishermen, shipping agents and many others who worked in the ships and on the wharves. The church tower of St George's, which can be seen from many parts of Hobart - especially prominent at night when it is floodlit - has been a landmark for sailors since 1847.

Tasmanian poet

Today, St George's is known as the Mariners' Church and the annual Mariners' Service celebrates these traditional and modern day links by bringing the community together to honour all who go down to the sea in ships - naval ships, commercial vessels, fishing-boats and leisure-time craft - and to pray for their safety.

It's a colourful occasion, with the flags of many shipping lines carried in procession, and the uniforms of RAN personnel adding to the nautical theme of the ceremony. A unique feature is the singing of a beautiful hymn specially written for the Mariners' Service by well-known Tasmanian poet, the late Gwen Harwood.

Large congregation

This year's service was held in the presence of the Lt. Governor, the Hon W.J.E. Cox and Mrs Cox, the Commander of Naval Forces Tasmania, Cdr I. Dunbabin and Mrs Dunbabin, and a large congregation. The Rector the Rev. Bill Jolly officiated, assisted by the Associate Priest, the Rev. Kevin Booth. The sermon was preached by the Rt Rev. Philip Newell, who always shows great empathy for matters maritime.

Special thanks go to our organist, John Morriss, and to the staff, students and choir of Hutchins school, for their magnificent contribution to this very special occasion. The morning was rounded off by most enjoyable parish luncheon.