Anglican Men's Society annual meeting

The Annual Meeting of the Tasmanian Branch of the Anglican Men's Society was held at Ross on June 28. It was a great pleasure to welcome our Diocesan President, the Rt.Rev'd. John Harrower, OAM to the Meeting. Bishop John, with the Rev'd. Ken Wills assisting celebrated Holy Communion and chaired the Meeting for the election of office bearers for the next two years. Herbert Harding was elected as Lay-President with other offices filled by Colin Hingston, Trevor Cowell, Max Robinson, and Ken Wills.

All Branches reported on their activities for the year and it was pleasing to note some new members admitted in several Branches. Herbert Harding read his report for the year and we noted the passing of a number of stalwarts of AMS over the past 12 months including a long-serving and inspirational former Lay-President, Ron Miller.

But we also recognised the award of the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) to the Longford Branch secretary, Gordon Millar- given in considerable part in recognition of his service to the Church at Longford including, staunchly, to the Anglican Men's Society. (Longford Branch now has two Members so awarded- Bruce Viney was honoured some years ago!)

AMS in Tasmania has been a strong supporter of a project at Dodoma in Tanzania aimed at improving the quality of life at the Amani Centre. In the past 12 months Branches have raised over $2000 towards this project and Tasmania has initiated a motion for the National Conference in Perth in September this year for AMS to increase that support.

As always this meeting emphasised the strong bonds of fellowship in the Anglican Men's Society as well as members' spiritual commitment and dedication to the work in their parishes.

The next State Council meeting will be at Westbury on 5 August at 10.00 a.m. when we will recognise the festival of our Patron Saint Oswald. The Diocesan AMS chaplain, the Rev'd Josephine (Jo) Pyecroft - by then just back from an overseas holiday - will celebrate Holy Communion. Wives, partners, friends of members and any keen to know more about the role of AMS in the Diocese are welcome to attend.

T. G. Cowell