Pioneering spirit honoured at Chief Secretary’s Farewell Celebration

deansimpson7
Aug 29
3 min read

Updated: Sep 8

Territorial Commander Commissioner Miriam Gluyas (left) and NSW/ACT Divisional Commander Major Robyn Black (right) with award recipients, Craig Stephens, Tony Devlin and Kristen Hartnett.

BY DEAN SIMPSON

Chief Secretary Colonel Winsome Merrett presented three ‘pioneering awards’ during her Farewell Celebration Chapel Service at Territorial Headquarters in Sydney on Thursday.

Winsome, who has served as the Australia Territory’s Chief Secretary for the past five and a half years, and her husband, Colonel Kelvin Merrett, are set to retire next month after serving as officers for the past five decades.

More than 120 people filled the chapel at THQ Redfern, with many more online, for the first of the Chief’s farewell services.

Major Stuart Glover (Assistant Chief Secretary - Business), Major Kim Haworth (Assistant Chief Secretary - Mission), Colonel Winsome Merrett (Chief Secretary) and Commissioner Miriam Gluyas (Territorial Commander) at Thursday's Farewell Celebration for Winsome.

One of her tasks was to present awards to four people who have pioneered significant work in the Australia Territory – Craig and Danni Stephens (Territorial Envoys), Tony Devlin and Kristen Hartnett.

Craig and Danni Stephens were presented with the Ian and Nancy Cutmore Award for exceptional service in planting No.47 house at Ryde, New South Wales.

The couple founded a groundbreaking ministry in 2001 in one of Sydney’s most troubled areas, Ivanhoe Estate, leasing a townhouse (No.47) from Housing NSW for 12 years with the express purpose of operating a ‘live-in’ mission. Initial community activities included coffee mornings and a homework club.

Tony Devlin and Kristen Hartnett with their James Barker Pioneering Awards.

Tony Devlin was presented with the James Barker Pioneering Award for Social Mission for his instrumental leadership in the development of Moneycare, making it the leading provider of financial services in Australia.

Kristen Hartnett was also presented with the James Barker Pioneering Award for Social Mission for her instrumental leadership in the development of the You’re the Boss program. This program is designed to increase personal wellbeing and facilitate improved personal financial management for both now and the future.

A variety of speakers honoured Winsome at the Farewell Celebration, including Commissioner Miriam Gluyas, Major Stuart Glover, Major Kim Haworth, Aux-Lieut Rosy Keane, Sue Hodges, Lieut-Colonel Chris Reid (on behalf of officers) and Adrian Kistan (on behalf of staff).

As a gesture of love, Rosy invited those attending to write some encouraging words on strips of ribbon, which were attached to a wreath of flowers, and presented to Winsome.

Chief Secretary Colonel Winsome Merrett presents Territorial Envoy Craig Stephens with the Ian and Nancy Cutmore Award. (Craig's wife Danni was unable to attend).

In her closing remarks, Winsome said: “I want to thank everyone for their kind words today; I feel very honoured.

“And I would implore you each to keep your eyes fixed on Jesus. We are all tempted to lower our eyes and try to do things, achieve things, in our own strength ... but it’s only when we raise our eyes and fix them on Jesus do we achieve great things for the Kingdom. God bless you all.”