Recently, the Tamworth St Edward’s Conference entered abeyance following the retirement of its existing members from active service. At the time of closure, the Conference had five active members, whose combined service exceeded 100 years.

On Wednesday 24 June, at an Appreciation Dinner, members gathered to honour the remarkable contribution of the St Edward’s Tamworth Conference to the wider community, acknowledging many years of dedicated service. Several members from other Tamworth Conferences were also recognised on the day.

The earliest recorded minutes are dated 4 December 1961. In its early years, the Conference met at South Tamworth School. Several members were involved, and Fr Meehan served as chair prior to the election of office bearers.

For the past several years, the St Edward’s Conference has been supported by five regular members, who developed a warm and supportive fellowship within the Conference.

The members are:

President: Cathy Norvill

Treasurer: John Murrie

Secretary: Denise Stevens

Member: Monica Nicholls

Member: Elizabeth Hearne

Although the visiting list had gradually declined, members continued to visit regularly and maintained a strong rapport with those they supported. The Conference also provided Christmas hampers for people experiencing particular need.

An annual Winter Appeal was conducted, with generous support received from parishioners.

St Edward’s supported the Assist A Student program and maintained support for two twin Conferences in India.

The Conference supported the Parish by providing morning and afternoon teas on special occasions and by selling The Catholic Weekly at all weekend Masses.

The members of the St Edward’s Conference have borne witness to the love of Christ within the Tamworth community. They reflect the powerful testimony of our Founder, Frederic Ozanam: “Knowledge of the poor and needy is not gained by poring over books or in discussions with politicians, but by visiting the slums where they live, sitting by the bedside of the dying, feeling the cold they feel and learning from their lips the causes of their woes.”

Many people have encountered the love of Christ in and through your service. Thank you for saying yes to your Vincentian vocation and for the enduring blessing you have been to the Tamworth Regional Council and the St Vincent de Paul Society.