Maroochy Beach Camp 2025 Conference

Just a reflection of our weekend at Maroochydore.

Arrival First Evening

The annual Clergy Spouse Conference 2025 was a place where clergy spouses shared experiences and enjoyed a great time of friendship, understanding and support. This year, the theme was "Stronger Together” and the atmosphere during the two days buzzed with conversations, lots of laughter, delicious foods & great coffee supplied by Naman.

Rose, a well-known and loved retired spouse, was the first speaker at the conference and started it off in a captivated room, with tales of her adventures in the western outback towns. Her stories centred around Mitchell, Roma & other small places where she lived with her husband. She painted vivid pictures of the welcoming communities and the unique challenges and joys of ministry in these remote areas. "The people there," she said, her voice filled with warmth, "they taught me the true meaning of community. We supported each other and the friendships I forged there are some of the most precious in my life." Her stories sparked a desire in many of us listening to explore these western towns, to see the beauty and experience the warmth Rose described.

A little later that evening, Rachel shared a deeply moving story about her work with refugees. She spoke of the hardships they faced, the cultural barriers they navigated, and the trauma they carried. Her words were raw and honest, shedding light on the often-unseen struggles these people & families experience. She emphasised the importance of empathy, understanding, and practical support in helping refugees & displaced people rebuild their lives and find a sense of belonging.

The day concluded with evening prayers, followed by a Taizé service. The simple, repetitive chants created a sense of peace and unity, a shared moment of reflection and connection through togetherness. As the final notes faded, renewed strength and purpose filled the room. The conference was more than just a gathering; it was a reminder that in our shared journey, we are not alone. The friendships and the support help sustain us through the challenges and joys of our unique calling, and that we are definitely stronger together.

Day 1

 Rhonda’s Story: Lessons in Belonging – 1 Corinthians 12:22

At the conference, Rhonda Faragher shared a deeply personal story about how her life changed after the birth of her daughter, Grace, who was born with Down’s syndrome. Rhonda spoke honestly about the challenges and joys she experienced, including some funny and embarrassing moments that made everyone smile.

Rhonda highlighted the verse from 1 Corinthians 12:22: “Some parts of the body that seem weakest and least important are the most necessary.” She explained how this scripture helped her see that people with disabilities are so important. Too often, society and the Church overlook or underestimate those who seem different, but Rhonda reminded everyone that every person is valuable and necessary.

She encouraged the group to think about how we can change our attitudes, communities, and even our buildings to be more welcoming and inclusive. Rhonda’s story was about accepting and celebrating diversity and inclusion. Her love for Grace and the lessons she learned from her daughter inspired everyone to see the beauty and strength in every individual, regardless of their abilities.

 Vanessa’s Insight: Identity and Anglican Schools

Vanessa Gamack, another speaker at the conference, engaged the audience with an interactive session about Identity and the Anglican Schools Commission. She began with a quiz, testing everyone's knowledge of Anglican schools in a way that was both educational and entertaining. Vanessa then spoke about the goals of these schools: to cultivate students who are thoughtful, reflective, rigorous in their understanding, affirmative, and respectful of others.

She emphasized the critical need for ongoing conversations about our origins, identity, meaning, purpose, values, and authority. These discussions, she argued, are essential for fostering a strong sense of self and community within the schools and among each student.

Drawing a parallel, Vanessa playfully compared Religious Education (RE) to the Tardis, but quickly clarified that RE is, in fact, the "Incarnation"—the hands and feet of Jesus in action. It's manifested in our pastoral care, ministry, faith, respect, support, and hospitality towards others. She reminded everyone that we are invited to experience God's love and to engage with scripture and tradition while cultivating reason and critical thinking. Vanessa's presentation highlighted the vital role of Anglican schools in nurturing well-rounded individuals grounded in faith, reason, and compassion.

The AGM  was followed by Afternoon Freedom Choices

The afternoon offered a choice: the craft of recycled basket making, sampling local beers, or simply relaxing. Some crafted and chatted, others tasted and compared, while others found quiet corners to relax or take a nap. So lovely to have this time for ourselves.

Karaoke!   Our last night was a blast! Everyone just let loose and had so much fun with the karaoke. Tom Van Den Bos was getting everyone involved. The dance floor was packed, and all the friendships we'd made over the conference just clicked into place. Definitely an enjoyable evening for everyone & a night to remember!

Last Day

We heard from Archbishop Jeremy after breakfast, before finishing with the Holy Eucharist and finally our departure home on Sunday after lunch.

Archbishop Jeremy's talk brought the parables to life, exploring their meaning for us today and challenging us to reimagine the Kingdom of God. He spoke about repentance, forgiveness, rejoicing, and celebration, showing how these Parable stories speak to us all, differently. He urged us to see ourselves in these stories and consider how these stories relate to us, reminding us that the Parables are living guides for us even today.

 Holy Eucharist followed by lunch then we all departed for home.

A huge “THANK YOU” to Frances, Barbara, and everyone involved for creating such a fantastic conference! We all really appreciated it.

Donna Galloway