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a healthy church...transformingLIFE

Tasmanian Anglican

August 2004

 

 

 


There was much interest in the Knopwood Historical lecture in the library.

 


Local schools combined to present 'Our People, Our Heritage', a period theatrical performance.

 

Church and community together

 

 

The Knopwood Festival is an annual event organised by a voluntary committee including the Parish of Sandford, Clarence City Council, Rokeby High School, local Historical Society and Land and Coastcare groups.

This year's festival commenced with 'the Birthday Bash at Barnie's', a combined parish service at St Barnabas' Church, South Arm. This coincided with the 112th birthday of the church, and included a cemetery walk led by longtime local resident Mr Ted Bezzant.

The Clarence City Council Band provided lively entertainment at the BYO lunch after the service and later in the day a large group of people visited Arm Head to learn of the history of the Gellibrand Vault’.

And that was just for starters!

Over the next five days there were many special events to celebrate the life of the pioneers in this area. There was a video presentation of the history of transport on the River Derwent over the past 200 years; an organ recital and CD launch at St Matthew's Church, Rokeby; the Knopwood Memorial Lecture which depicts the life of an early pioneer; a period theatrical performance by local school students; a hearty meal of Settlers' Soup and Colonial Stew followed by a historical lantern-lit tour of the historical cemetery. (The 'Knopwood Toddy' after the tour assisted in the thawing process!)

The Festival concluded with a traditional-style harvest fete at St Matthew's, Rokeby.

This annual event is a great celebration, not only of the Rev. Robert Knopwood and the early settlers of the area, but also of the way in which the church and local community groups work together. This program was supported by a grant from the Clarence City Council as a Bicentennial project.