Members of the congregation of St John the Devine at Burnett Heads love nothing more than celebrating with the region’s community.
Each year, the church has three main festivals, the first in March to celebrate the life of St John the Divine, the second their Pet Blessing Service which is held on Saturday 2 November to recognise the work of St Francis the patron of animals and supports Red Collar Rescue and their carol service on Saturday 7 December with the highlight of this service the performance of the Burnett Heads State School choir.
The church, though, is getting ready to celebrate a significant milestone – its 85th anniversary with the St John The Divine Church Fair.
Held on 10 August at 1 Paul Mittelheuser Street, Burnett Heads from 10am to 2pm, visitors will be able to see firsthand the restoration works funded jointly with Bundaberg Regional Council under the Our Stories Our Places Heritage and Character Grant Program and The Ladies’ Guild of St John the Divine, Burnett Heads.
There will also be a sausage sizzle, food, plants and market stalls, wood work, displays, local art, history of the parish, vintage cars, and more.
Parishioner at St John the Divine Anglican Church Burnett Heads and parish councillor of the Anglican Church of Bundaberg, Neil Phythian said churches were all about people, however, the church building at Burnett Heads had experienced some dry rot issues on the front exterior wall and the bell tower needed repair.
“We have been raising funds for about six years and the grant from the Bundaberg Regional Council has allowed us to fast track the repairs, because it is very important to preserve local historical buildings like these,” Mr Phythian said.
“Through our restorations it has been essential to meet the guidelines for the grant, meaning the rotting facing boards have been replaced with boards that have been planed and shaped exactly to the same pattern as the originals.
“The front wall has also been painted in the correct colours and while the bell tower was quite dilapidated, the repairs to the bell tower have been completed with the replacement of the fascia boards and all fixings replaced with stainless steel.”
St John the Divine is the only active church in Burnett Heads.
Over the 85 years, the congregation has fluctuated and currently they have about 16 active in the congregation, although always welcoming new parishioners.
“Every five years we celebrate the birthday of the church in 1939, usually with a community fair to thank the other community groups in Burnett Heads for their support.
“We do not charge a fee for stalls and it is a chance for the community groups to come together and raise funds for their own organisation.
“A colouring competition has been organised for the children at the Burnett Heads State School and kindy.
“There will be a sausage sizzle – first sausage free – craft stall, bottle stall, cake stall and a cake raffle and a coffee van will be trading on the day.
“Long term resident of Burnett Heads, Darren Reid will be selling pens made from the salvageable replaced timber from the renovations.”
Other stalls to look out for are The Bundaberg Woodworkers, as well as a bric-a-brac stall will be operating as well as a vintage car display.
The Coral Coast Garden Club will be hosting a plant stall.
There will even be a dancing display as well as a busker.
The Reverend Kate Ross will conduct a short dedication of the new building work in the morning.
