Community & Business
22 May, 2024
M.U. recognises over 150 years of combined members’ service
In a special Friendship Day service at the Anglican Church on Friday of last week, members and families gathered to celebrate the many years of service and dedication of five Mother’s Union (M.U.) ladies. In particular, the presentation of a 50 year scroll to Fay Garratt.
The five ladies who were presented with certificates were Julianne McEwan (20 years), Ramona Postle (30 years), Irene Warfield (40 years), and Fay Garratt (50 years).
Brenda Prentice, co-ordinator of the Craft and Fine Food Festival, also received a 20 year scroll, however she was absent on the day.
Mrs Garratt is well known for her passion for gardening and has been providing bountiful floral arrangements for the parish, for some time.
When the local wives group closed in December of 1973, Mrs Garratt joined
St. Andrew’s Mother’s Union, where her mother was a member.
She began attending regular meetings until her admission service on 11 October, 1974, which was by chance, or perhaps providence, their AGM, and she was swiftly elected as treasurer.
In the mid 1980s when most of the M.U. members were aged between 60 and 80 years, and were looking for younger ones to take on leadership roles, Mrs Garratt was elected president, until 1992.
In 2002, she was asked to be Deanery President, and continued a three year term in that role, before deciding not to seek re-election due to health problems.
Mrs Garratt is currently the press reporter for the group, keeping readers up
to date with the happenings of St. Andrew’s and M.U.
In 2023, she took over the parish baptismal role, in which she sends anniversary cards to children, up to their eighth birthday.
Over her 50 years in M.U. Mrs Garratt has been blessed with wonderful friendships through the local branch, deanery and diocesan level.
She’s been an active member, attending special training days for office bearers and conferences to learn about the worldwide organisation, listening to guest speakers on family issues and bringing up children, undertaking hospital visits, participating in lenten studies, implementing care support systems available to young mothers and the elderly, and so much more.
She also did Anglicare visiting, an outreach to the sick, elderly and lonely, for which she received a 15 year certificate.
Another 15 years was spent as a R. I. teacher in primary school, and several years as a mid-week teacher in church classes held after school.
During the past 50 years, Mrs Garratt said she has strived to put into action the purpose of Mother’s Union and its five objectives:
To uphold Christ’s teaching on the nature of marriage and to promote its wider understanding.
To encourage parents to bring up their children in the faith and life of the Church.
To maintain a worldwide fellowship of Christians united in prayer, worship and service.
To promote conditions in society favourable to stable family life and the protection of children.
To help those whose family life has met with adversity.
Mrs Garratt reflected on how prayer played an important role in her actions, and being led by the Holy Spirit into service at various times of her life.
“Now I can give thanks for those happy years I’ve had in Mother’s Union, here and elsewhere, as part of the worldwide organisation,” she said.
Mrs Garratt said she can top her 50 years in M.U., after proudly celebrating 60 years of marriage last September, with her husband Jim.
Together, they have built a life filled with love and blessings, 10 grandchildren, and the 13th great grandchild expected in three weeks time.
“Family life gets more exciting each year,” she said.
The Mothers’ Union began in the Anglican diocese in 1904 in Milton, after concerns about the many deaths of women and small children in the district.
An M.U. branch paid for a nursing sister, Miss Emma Packer, to visit the homes of the poor.
Since then, M.U. continues to nurture and encourage young women and their families, providing support and care for them, showing God’s love to all.
