The people and history of the Kameruka Estate and its historic church were remembered and honoured at Sunday’s annual service.
The Holy Trinity Anglican Church has stood on the grounds of the estate formerly owned by the Lucas-Tooth and Foster families for almost 150 years – it celebrates that milestone in 2019.
On Sunday morning it was packed to capacity to hear Reverend Lou Oakes lead the annual commemorative service and Holy Communion.
Special guest Reverend Hugh Cox, who was the Kameruka Parish Minister from 1971-74, returned to give the sermon, aptly on the theme of memory.
He said it “a delight” to see the old church so full.
“I’m not sure it in my time here we ever saw it this full,” he said with a grin.
He said it had been 40-plus years since he left the area to study overseas – thanks to a scholarship gifted by the Lucas-Tooth Scholarship Foundation.
Reverend Cox recalled taking his FJ Holden to Henry Tooth’s workshop for servicing, and collecting wood on Irvin land. They are names that remain closely linked to the district and are preserved on the Kameruka Memorial and Honour Roll.
Those memories and names are also etched in the stone of the Kameruka cemetery, now linked to Holy Trinity by a Remembrance Walk officially dedicated on Sunday after the main service.
The “plaque” – actually an impressive slab of ironwood – was unveiled by Reverend Cox and Henry Lucas, whose family was among the early pioneers of the district.
It marks the start of what will become an avenue of trees between the church and cemetery, with several seats along the way for quiet contemplation of the spectacular scenery.
There are about 310 graves in the cemetery, containing the bodies of people who lived on the Kameruka Estate or chose to be buried there. The most recent burial took place last year.
Church warden Sandy Macqueen thanked the many people who have contributed towards the preservation of Holy Trinity. He also thanked the now 120 people who have signed up to become “Friends of Holy Trinity”, a group dedicated to making sure the memories of this historic place live on for generations to come.
RELATED COVERAGE
Ben Smyth
I have worked as a journalist since 2005 and am now Editor of Australian Community Media mastheads in Bega, Merimbula and Eden
I have worked as a journalist since 2005 and am now Editor of Australian Community Media mastheads in Bega, Merimbula and Eden
