Coaldrake Award presentation in Brisbane

December 18, 2017

Archbishop Phillip Aspinall and Coaldrake Award recipients the Rev Richard Bowie and Mrs Joyce Bowie.

In November, the Anglican Board of Mission (ABM) presented recipients in the Diocese of Brisbane with the Coaldrake Award, recognising the contribution of former missionaries and dedicated staff members of ABM.

The award was initiated in 2017 and is named after the Rev Canon Frank Coaldrake who served with distinction, first as a missionary and later as Chairman of the ABM Board.

People’s faithful and selfless commitment to promoting the Gospel and growing the Church has laid the foundation for the missional partnerships that continue to underpin all of ABM’s work today. The Coaldrake Award is a sign of ABM’s appreciation for this work. It comes in the form of a medal (Frank Coaldrake Medal) and a lapel pin, both pictured above. Holders of the Award will automatically be granted the status and rights of an Honorary Associate of ABM.

ABM board member Stephen Harrison and the Rev Ken Spreadborough of ABM’s Brisbane Diocesan Committee were present at the ceremony. Fr Ken shared the following report:

“On 23rd November, the Archbishop of Brisbane, The Most Rev’d Phillip Aspinall presented 28 Coaldrake medals to recipients at the Chapel of the Holy Spirit at St Francis Theological College. The chapel was filled with family and friends of the recipients, and after the introductions, Archbishop Phillip spoke about the medal, and about his interaction with the Coaldrake family. Each of the recipients recalled in a sentence or two, something about their time overseas.”

“After the ceremony, they all joined together for morning tea and it was reported that one of the highlights was to be able to again connect with others, and exchange stories and memories.

“There will be at least one other presentation ceremony and the Archbishop is keen for new ordinands to be present to hear the stories from these people.”

 

The 2017 Coaldrake Award recipients, Brisbane.

 

The Rt Rev Robert Nolan receiving his award.

 

Sr Helen Barrett being congratulated by Rose Elu, a member of the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Anglican Council.

 
(Above images © Sarah Gover/ABM 2017.)

Another recipient of the Coaldrake medal in the Southern Queensland diocese is Jean Durrant who is 93 years old and confined to a nursing home.  She served in North Borneo and the Solomon Islands for 26 years. The presentation ceremony took place at the nursing home with Jean’s niece and her husband present. Fr Ken Spreadborough, her former parish priest, presented her with the medal and said, “Jean has trouble communicating now, but her face and eyes told of the joy she was feeling.”

Jean Durrant and family with Fr Ken Spreadborough. © Ken Spreadborough 2017.

ABM warmly congratulates all the Coaldrake Award recipients for well-deserved recognition of years of faithful service. If you wish to view more photographs from the Brisbane event, please visit ABM’s Flickr album: Coaldrake Awards Brisbane, 2017.

If you are interested in nominating someone for the Coaldrake Award, the protocols for nominating and the nomination form can be found here: www.abmission.org/Coaldrake.