Marie's Memories
St Mary's Cathedral
For me, the unveiling of the monument was the culmination of a couple of years of many, many raffle books, many, many bankcard chits, a fundraising dinner here and there, much talk and a good BBQ or two at the Power House with some excellent reds as I recall.
As the unveiling drew near the real business of the monument was at hand. The Ecumenical Service had to be organised, to this end, the efforts of Patricia and Martin Coleman can never be forgotten. Clair Dunn also applied her expertise with her usual sensitive style.
My breath was taken away when it was announced, at one of those meetings, that I had been chosen as one of the many prayer readers. The prayers, on this auspicious occasion were to be read from the hallowed sanctuary of St. Mary's Cathedral.
The time came when those of us who 'had been chosen' were directed to pews at the front of the Cathedral thus enabling us access to the sanctuary at the appropriate time. From that position, it was not possible to gauge the size of the congregation as it gathered behind us.
The procession of Orphan Girl descendants, on the arms of young women representing those girls, was one of the most moving scenes I have ever witnessed. Many of the descendants were aged and frail, marking the passage of time in a most poignant way. The efforts of Terrie Pollard towards this segment of the day made the procession so full of impact.
At the end of the all-embracing service we 'prayer readers' were invited to the Sanctuary and soon it was my turn to approach the lectern.
It is impossible to describe that sea of 3000 faces as it focused on me. I have never had such an experience before or since and will never have it again. My butterflies took off towards the colourful leadlight windows of the Cathedral and so, eventually I said my prayer in the most public way.
This is my memory of the day of the unveiling of the monument, a day that afforded me the opportunity to do something of which my maternal grandmother and mother would have been very proud. They were each married in St Mary's Cathedral and came from strong Irish stock. I like to think there could have been a couple of familiar faces in the congregation that day.
by
Marie Tunks
