Australia: boundless plains to share

20 Mar 2018 - by

Australia has boundless plains to share with those fleeing persecution and hardship according to former journalist Genevieve Jacobs.

This was her encouragement in her St Patrick’s Day address to about 120 people on Friday March 16 in the Chapel at the Australian Centre for Christianity and Culture.

The annual event is organised by the Friends of Ireland Society and Genevieve Jacobs spoke on how the Irish heritage has shaped the Australian character.

She spoke about her Irish ancestors, Hugh and Sarah Byrne, who fled conflict and oppression and came to Australia in 1806 and they’re subsequent struggle–how they faced suspicion and hostility.

“I’ve thought a great deal about what Hugh and Sarah’s story means and how it relates to Australia,” she said.

“Presented with an impossible situation they took an immense gamble on their freedom. They were not cowed by injustice but again and again fought back both in Ireland and in Australia.

“In their lives they exemplified courage, tenacity, determination and ultimately hope.

“I also believe that people fleeing conflict and oppression now do so in the same spirit as Hugh and Sarah 200 years ago–taking their lives in their hands, knowing they may never see home again,” she said.

During the service a collection was taken for Northern Ireland’s peace and reconciliation organisation Corrymeela as well as Canberra’s Karinya House which is a community based organisation providing supported accommodation, transitional housing and outreach services to pregnant women and their families who are in crisis.

The executive director of the Australian Centre for Christianity and Culture, the Rt Rev’d Professor Stephen Pickard presided over the service. Scripture readings were also offered by Rev David Campbell from the Presbyterian Church of St Andrew, Rev Alistair Christie who is Chair of the ACT Churches Council and Rev Deacon Mick O’Donnell, a Catholic Chaplain.

The Canberra Celtic Choir performed during the service and Maire O’Callaghan sang a hymn in Irish on the Resurrection and Sara Robinson sang the Lord’s Prayer in Irish.

A full copy of Genevieve Jacobs address can be downloaded here.