From the coalface L O C A L A N D I N T E R N AT I O N A L N E W S
Promoted to Glory
‘Trophy of grace’
J
oseph Clark was promoted to glory on 23 July, aged 86. A service of thanksgiving for Joe’s life was held at Auburn Corps on 28 July, led by Lieutenant-Colonel Wally Greentree, a close friend of Joe’s. Captain Nesan Kistan (Corps Officer, Auburn) prayed and Peter Woodbury spoke on behalf of the corps, recalling Joe’s strong Christian influence and involvement in leadership positions. Amanda Whittaker, Elizabeth Taylor and Natalie Cutmore provided a musical tribute with their vocal message What a Friend We Have In Jesus, and Lieutenant Jon Cory (Corps Officer, Granville) read 2 Corinthians 5: 1-10. Providing an insight into Joe’s family life was shared by Steven and Natalie Cutmore and Jodie Paewai before Lieut-Colonel Greentree gave a Bible message. Major Chris Witts (Pastoral Care Coordinator) led the final song Shall We Gather at the River and pronounced the benediction. A few hours later, Major Witts led the committal service at Rookwood crematorium chapel where Malcolm Clark (Joe’s nephew) gave a family tribute and Elizabeth Taylor sang Amazing Grace. In his talk, Major Witts said Joe had “finished the race” just as the apostle Paul had done many years previously. Joe was born on 13 March, 1925, in Lidcombe, NSW, to Arthur and Joannah Clark. With Arthur, Davey, Dawn and Tom, the family moved, in 1930, to Boorea St, Lidcombe, where Joe spent his life until he was married in 1951. Joe struggled with schooling and joined his dad as a bricklayer at age 14. He endured a bout of tetanus at 15 which ended a promising trade career. He tried a variety of jobs until joining the Australian Armed Forces at age 17. Later, he went bush to Tumut and Junee, until arriving in Sydney in his early 20s. Here his life was dominated by rough habits, cigarettes and alcohol. But one day in 1946, he noticed young Salvationist Betty McWilliams playing trombone in The Salvation Army band outside the hotel where he was drinking. He got to know Betty and she invited him to attend church on Sunday which culminated in Joe’s miraculous conversion to Jesus Christ. This eventually led him into senior soldiership as a bandsman, corps secretary at Auburn, a songster and male voice party member. This “trophy of grace”, renowned for his reliability, compassion, and exemplary Christian behaviour, gave
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over 65 years of dedicated service for his Lord. Joe and Betty married in April 1951 and moved into their new Auburn home in 1954 where they lived for 50 years. Their home was a happy place with family celebrations – a great delight for Joe. He was a master at carpentry, plumbing, building, electrical, and allround tinkering. His Lidcombe “Reliable Dry Cleaners” business was successful for more than 37 years. Joe and Betty travelled extensively in caravans and motor homes, including an extended trip around Australia. They also travelled overseas. In 2004, they relocated to Blue Hills Retirement Village and recently celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. In recent years, Joe experienced failing health, but he will always be remembered for his loving, caring nature; his welcoming arms, terrible jokes and sharp sense of humour. He had a robust laughter and never spoke ill of anyone. Joe was also honest, straightforward and helpful. His unswerving dedication to Christian principles meant he lived a very fulfilling life.
Life of holiness
M
ajor Ronald Weaver was promoted to glory on 18 May, aged 84. The last of The Salvation Army’s true “Hallelujah Men”, Major Weaver’s life was celebrated at Stafford Corps, Brisbane, in a special funeral service on 25 May on what would have been his 85th birthday. Having lost a battle with cancer, he will be remembered as one of the “old school” of Salvation Army officers not afraid to preach fire and brimstone from the pulpit and to shout a “hallelujah” of approval from the pews when the occasion permitted. Ronald Weaver was born in Lithgow, NSW, on 25 May, 1926, the second son of Samson and Alice Weaver and brother to Harry (deceased). The family moved to Sydney where Ron became a Salvation Army soldier at Belmore Corps. He was an accomplished cornet player and became the deputy bandmaster at Belmore. He put down his tables and calculator as an accountant for a time, to serve in the Australian Air Force, before picking them up again afterwards. His passion for service in The Salvation Army saw him enter the training college for officers in Sydney in 1949 as part of the Peacemakers session. There he met Mary McComb whom he married on 10 January, 1953.
Together, Ron and Mary served in a range of positions, including as corps officers, in Army social institutions, as headquarters staff and at the trade department. They also were administrators of the iconic People’s Palace in the heart of Brisbane. They had three children – Lynette, Rhonda and Phillip – and he was a doting grandfather to Natalie, Megan, EmmaKate, Rebekah, Nathan, Candace, Benjamin and Bianca. They were his joy and delight as were his great-grandchildren, Callum, Evie and Isla. The Weavers retired in 1991 and settled at Boondall on Brisbane’s north side, before moving into Riverview Gardens Retirement Village late last year. In retirement, Ron continued as a hospital chaplain for as long as his health held out. The funeral service was co-conducted by an old mate of Ron’s, LieutenantColonel Walter Greentree, and Major David McMurray (Ron’s nephew by marriage). Pastor Geoff Woodward (sonin-law) read the Scripture and South Queensland Divisional Commander, Major Mark Campbell, read a tribute from Australia Eastern Territory Commander, Commissioner James Condon. But of all the tributes paid during the service, the most telling was from his wife, Mary. In a diary entry in May 1986, while recovering from a long illness, she said she couldn’t imagine life without Ron and his “calm and controlled nature and unshakeable faith”. “I never ceased to have felt privileged to share life with him. I would not be the person I am today if I had not met him and married him. I have never changed my mind,” Mary said. Daughter Rhonda said her father’s life was marked by holiness and purpose: a life committed firstly to God and then to his family. Grand-daughter Emma Halliday said Major Weaver was the most excited person about going to Heaven that she’d met: “He couldn’t wait to meet his Saviour face to face.”
Reports Please email Promoted To Glory reports and, if possible, a photograph to Pipeline at eastern.editorial@ aue.salvationarmy.org. Please limit reports to about 400 words.