You are here: HomeNews20120529 › Territory Says Farewell To Graeme Press

Territory says farewell to Graeme Press

29 May 2012
Territory says farewell to Graeme Press

Tears glistened in Graeme Press’ eyes when he turned and saw his colleague and close friend Marty Parks walk onto the stage at The Collaroy Centre last month.

Marty, who had travelled all the way from Jackson, Mississippi, was a surprise special guest on a night of celebration with the Sydney Staff Songsters which also doubled as a farewell tribute to Graeme.

“Faithful” was the theme on Saturday 12 May at Collaroy, on Sydney’s northern beaches, celebrating Graeme’s 14 years of faithful service to The Salvation Army as the Australia Eastern Territorial Music and Creative Arts Coordinator and leader of the Staff Songsters.

For the past 10 years, Marty and Graeme have been a mutual influence on each other's ministry. Last year, Graeme and the songsters blessed Marty and his church with song while on tour in the United States. In return, Graeme was given the opportunity to sit back, enjoy worship and be blessed as Marty led the songsters in a number of songs at the “Faithful” celebration. 

While more than 170 people attended the celebration concert, there were many who would have liked to be present but were unable to be there. Among them were Gavin Whitehouse, a former Staff Songster, Lieutenant-Colonel Geanette Seymour, The Salvation Army International Social Justice Commissioner Director and former chief secretary of the Australia Eastern territory, and Brian Hoggs, Music and Creative Arts Director for the Australia Southern Territory. Each of them presented video messages on the night, expressing their gratitude to Graeme. 

While Graeme spent most of the night enjoying music and speeches from colleagues and friends, he was not given the whole night off. Following tradition, he was asked to “fill in” and play piano with the Salvo Country Band, just like old times.

Lyn Beasy spoke on behalf of children's ministry the Agents of T.R.U.T.H and emphasised Graeme’s role in developing these characters.

“I want to recognise you had the courage to dream, the bravery to share that dream and the drive to see it become a reality,” she said.

Territorial Commander, Commissioner James Condon, also shared a few words and honoured Graeme’s creative work over the years.

“I want to on behalf of the territory tonight, thank God for Graeme Press. I’ve stood with you on the platform Graeme in a number of different places, but mostly I’ve sat where we all sit tonight under your ministry and have been blessed, inspired, and encouraged," Commissioner Condon said.

“You’ve shown skilled leadership and I've seen the Sydney Staff Songsters minister in a way I’ve not seen of any other songster group.”

Lieut-Colonel Miriam Gluyas then spoke on behalf of the territory as Secretary for Program.

“I want to thank you Graeme because you see people and you bring out the best in them. You believe in them and you want that potential to be raised up," she said. 

“When you sit with Graeme you get 10 ideas in five minutes and they’re good ideas about how people can be changed, how lives can be changed.”

Lieut-Colonel Miriam Gluyas then invited the songsters to sing Faithful (Chris Tomlin, Christy Nockels, Nathan Nockerls and Ed Cash) as a blessing to Graeme and his wife, Neryle.

Many tears were then shed as Majors Stuart and Donna Evans, Sydney Staff Songsters Executive Officers, read thank you letters addressed to both Graeme and Neryle from songster members.

Graeme then moved to the stage and offered his own words of thanks.

“To come and be greeted like this and to be thanked like this is beyond my wildest imagination," he said. 

"The word service perhaps comes across as something that’s hard to do, but I want to say that every aspect of journeying with people like this has been a joy.”

To conclude the celebration, Graeme then invited former Staff Songster members present in the audience to join the current group on stage to sing one of his favourite songs, How Great Thou Art.

Story by Esther Pinn, Courtesy of Pipeline
Photo by Carolyn Hide 

Comments

No comments yet - be the first.

Leave a Comment


- Will not be published

Email me follow-up comments

Note: Your comment requires approval before being published.

Default avatarWould you like to add a personal image? Visit gravatar.com to get your own free gravatar, a globally-recognized avatar. Once setup, your personal image will be attached every time you comment.

The Salvation Army acknowledges the Traditional Owners of country throughout Australia and recognises their continuing connection to land, waters and community. We pay our respects to them and their cultures; and to elders both past and present.

The Salvation Army is committed to ensuring the provision of safe and inclusive environments for children, young people and vulnerable people where they feel respected, safe, valued and encouraged to reach their full potential. The Salvation Army is a child safe organisation.