COMMUNITY HISTORY - ARTS - CHURCH CHEERIO

OUR “NEW AUSTRALIANS”

In the Nambour Chronicle and North Coast Advertiser (page 3, 5 May, 1950) the Kenilworth news provided a small snapshot into community life:- Between 1945 and 1965, two million immigrants arrived in Australia. The decision by the Australian Government to open up the nation in this way was based on the notion of ‘populate or perish’ that emerged in the wake of the Second World War.

Among the new immigrants were the first governmentsanctioned non-British migrants, referred to as “new Australians”. https://www.nma.gov.au/ defining-moments/resources/postwar-immigration-drive

The Mary Valley welcomed many of these “non-British” migrants as shown in the Chronicle's soccer article:- Kandanga soccer team visited Kenilworth on Saturday for a match. The Kandanga team included some very experienced Czech players who are working for the Forestry Department at Kandanga; thus the game was very onesided. At half time some of the “new Australians” played with the Kenilworth team, and made the game more even.

The term “new Australian” was coined by Arthur Calwell, Australia's first Minister for Immigration, to promote the assimilation of migrants from continental Europe. It was intended to be positive, and discourage the use of pejorative (slur) terms such as “reffo” or “Balt” that were then in frequent use. The term has fallen into disuse since the 1970s. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Australians

At the Amateur Hour trials held in November, 1950 it was reported that:- An item of special interest was the duet ‘Silent Night’ by Mr Ern Sims and Mr Stephen Levinski (a new Australian) who sang his part in his native tongue. (Nambour Chronicle and North Coast Advertiser, 10.11.1950, page 7).

The front page of the Nambour Chronicle 12 June, 1959 reported:- A group of our new Australians became citizens of this country on Friday 5 June, 1959 when Kenilworth held the first naturalisation ceremony held outside the centre of local government in the Maroochy Shire. The candidates were Mr and Mrs E. Penninger (parents of Mrs Maria Stotschek); Mr Joseph and Mrs Maria Stoteschek and their sons John and Josef; Mr Walter Bakenech and Mr Victor Fedorniak. The ceremony was chaired by Mr D.A. Low, M.L.A.; and attended by:- Councillor E.O. deVere; Mr C.F. Adermann, M.H.R., Minister for Primary Industries; Mr J.A. Heading, M.L.A., Minister for Local Government and Immigration. Sadly most of those involved in the naturalisation ceremony are no longer with us – but they will be remembered as being part of the recent history of the district.

Photos courtesy 'Picture Sunshine Coast', Sunshine Coast Council.

Top photo: Front row L to R – New Australians Mr and Mrs Penninger, their daughter and her husband, J. Stotschek, with their children Josef and John; Mr W. Bakenech, W. Fedorniak and J. Kelly. Back row – Maroochy Shire Councillors and officials, Cr A.V. Smith (Shire Clerk), Cr McCorkell, Cr MacNellie, Cr E.O. DeVere and Chairman D.A. Low who administered the Oath of Allegiance, Ministers C.F. Aderman and A.J. Heading; and Councillors from other shires.

Lenore Meldrum, President, Kenilworth & Dist. Historical Assn Inc.

Kenilworth Hall dateclaimer for Kenilworth Historical Association and Kenilworth Quilt & Craft Group for their annual CENT SALE FRIDAY 29 OCTOBER 7pm

KENILWORTH ARTS COUNCIL 'THIS & THAT'

Sadly, because of COVID-safe restrictions and considering the number of volunteers available to help us, we have cancelled the public art exhibition in Kenilworth Hall for this year’s Kenilworth ArtsFest which was to be held 1-4 October. Any entry fees deposited will be refunded. The workshops and the Poets’ Brunch will also not take place.

However, we are in the process of setting up online options, particularly the poetry competiton – and for updates as they are finalised please see www.kenilwortharts.org.au

Applications will soon be open on Kenilworth Arts Council's website page or for further details contact the lovely Sue Wolter 0439 130 158 and register your interest.

• We have extended out the big raffle till the beginning of December. So worth the small dollars to enter. The first prize is an original water colour by Barry Green, second a garden scene tapestry, third a bathroom set of quality towels and fourth $50 worth of chocolates from Big Boss Chocolates. Look for our ladies selling tickets in town on Saturday mornings.

• Well known fabric designer artist, Denise Burkitt, will be our guest at an afternoon tea in St Luke’s Shed on Saturday 6 November at 2pm. Come and see her bright and wonderful textile artworks and hear Denise’s fascinating stories as a FreeSpirit fabric artist, Hinterland home builder and now USA quilt collaborator. Her fabrics are used as whole cloths for quilting, patchwork, cushions, clothing and furnishing applications – it's all on www.deniseburkitt.com

Denise Burkit fabric designer artist

• The kitchen renovations are almost complete at the KAC building, thanks to a Major Grant from the Sunshine Coast Council. Looking good!

Singalong! happens every Friday from 10am till noon. It’s singing just for fun with no singing experience needed. Come along and stretch your vocal chords singing the songs you like.

CHEERIO FROM THE CHURCHES

There was a well attended Ecumenical Service held at St Luke’s on 29 August, led by the Uniting Church, with an interesting reflection by Maureen Cooper and a report from Paul, the Kenilworth State Community College Chaplain. Paul leaves Kenilworth school at the end of term and the church communities send him our thanks and best wishes.

• There will be the usual Blessing of the Pets again this year at St Luke’s on Sunday 3 October at 9.15am. Everyone and “all creatures great and small” are welcome.

• On Sunday 16 October at 9.15 am, a special Eucharist will be celebrated at St Luke’s to mark St Luke’s Day. Once again, everyone welcome to this festive service and morning tea afterwards.

And speaking of morning teas, even if you don’t attend our church services on a Sunday morning, do come and join us for morning tea afterwards at 10.15am.

We welcome community members and visitors. Join us for a cuppa and a chat at St Luke’s Shed.

Saint Francis of Assisi 1182-1226

"To follow the teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ and to walk in his footsteps". This required his followers to also take a vow of poverty. He had been born into a wealthy family and made his father angry when he gave all his money to the Church to "repair the ruins" as he had heard God tell him. Francis immersed himself in nature, and set up the first known Nativity scene which incorporated animals to celebrate Christmas in 1220. He is the first person in recorded history (1224) to receive the 'stigmata' [unexplained wounds appear on the hands, feet and side of the body which reflect the wounds of Christ's crucifixion.] The last few years of his life Francis was mostly blind. He died in 1226 while singing Psalm 141.His feast day is celebrated on 4th October. Francis believed that actions provided the best example of a Christian life. He loved writing about God's creation and there are many stories about Saint Francis preaching to animals and taming wild animals with the sign of the cross.