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	February 2005				Lunchtime on the day of the launch of the new parish... The crowd in George Town's main street watches the Bishop and others in the bed race. Bishop John hands over the document declaring the establishment of the new parish to Parish Council Chairperson Greg Stanford. George Town representative speaks New sign unveiled The commemorative plaque has been unveiled.
		Riverlinks - What's in a name? by Anne Neale
			When the parishes of East Launceston, Trevallyn/Riverside and George Town decided to join forces recently, one of the many problems to be faced was finding a new name for the new parish. Traditionally, a parish name contains both an indication of spiritual aspirations [e.g. an association with a particular saint] and a geographical indicator [the physical location] - hence St John's, Launceston, or St David's, Hobart. It might be thought that the geographical indicator was the easy bit. But if your locations are widely scattered, where do you start? [BayWest had it easy!] The only geographical link between the existing parishes was the Tamar River. However, no-one wanted to adopt a name that might look like a take-over bid for the entire Tamar Valley! Also to be kept in mind was the matter of ease of use and memorability: when your official prefix will be 'The Anglican Parish of …' you definitely don't need a suffix that runs to the length of '… Spiritual Aspirations in Several Locations'! Back to the river link There are three centres for the new parish in Launceston, at the head of the Tamar River. The fourth centre is at George Town, where the Tamar runs into the sea. George Town and East Launceston are on the east bank; Trevallyn and Riverside on the west bank. Linking these centres is a river running down to the sea, flanked by orchards and vineyards on both sides. The question arose: could this geographical indicator also serve as an indicator of spiritual aspirations? Ezekiel 47:12 refers to a never-failing river of fresh water that flows down to the sea, with fruit trees growing on both sides: there are unmistakable parallels, literally and metaphorically, with the new parish. John 7:38 refers to 'rivers of living water' representing God's Holy Spirit, given to believers to link them to God and each other. Amos 5: 24 says: 'Let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream'. The biblical imagery of these river links is powerful, and wholly relevant to God's people, here, today. After much thought and prayer, the new parish has agreed to become: The Anglican Parish of RiverLinks. Spiritual Aspirations Importantly, RiverLinks indicates the new parish's spiritual aspirations as a body of believers linking into the never-failing river of God's Holy Spirit; seeking to link up non-believers to the 'river of eternal life'; and to see God's justice and righteousness flowing as a river through the values and priorities which link our communities. New beginning The new Riverlinks Parish was launched by Bishop John Harrower at George Town on Sunday 21 November 2004, as part of the celebration of 200 years of Christian worship in northern Tasmania, beginning at George Town: a wonderfully auspicious occasion for a new beginning!