The 2023 Guilford Young Medal
By Josh Low
Named in honour of Archbishop Sir Guilford Young, and now in the third year since its introduction, the Guilford Young Medal is awarded to those who have substantially contributed to the life and mission of the Church in Tasmania over many years.
Showing outstanding leadership or undertaking meritorious work on behalf of the Church and carrying out notable deeds of merit in the Church and society are central to the lives of those presented with the award.
This year, the nine Tasmanians who received the medal were honoured in a ceremony at St Mary’s Cathedral on Friday 3 November.
In his address to the recipients, Archbishop Julian expressed his deep gratitude to every individual for their contribution to the Church in Tasmania.
“My dear brothers and sisters, each of you have offered your particular gifts in a generous and sustained way over many years for the good of the mission of the Church here in Tasmania,” he said.
“I know that all of you seek no recognition or thanks.
“You have been content to offer your time and talents for the common good, willing to give freely of yourself and assist where you have seen a need.
“The Lord urges his disciples to have a humble spirit, content to do His work in secret so that only the heavenly Father knows.
“However, we are also urged to have a spirit of gratitude and a willingness to honour one another.
“This is what has motivated the Archdiocese to establish the Guilford Young Medal, named after one of our great Archbishops.
“We are grateful to you for what you have given to us. And we desire in this simple way to honour you for what you have done,” he said.
The 2023 Guilford Young Medal Receipients
Alice (Barbara) Allen
Born Alice Frances Allen in Shepparton, Victoria in 1936, she has almost always been known as Barbara.
Having married William in 1954, together they raised a family of nine children in Tasmania’s north.
An active parent, and later grandparent who supported Larmenier Catholic School by working with the parents and friends’ association, and volunteering over some 40 years, while also working at Nazareth House for some 30 years.
Known for her happy and positive approach to life and her hearty laugh, Barbara lives out her faith by being of service and support to others and her Kings Meadows Parish community.
Involved in the Parish Pastoral Council, she has also been a regular visitor of housebound, elderly, and sick parishioners, and is to this day involved with the Days for Girls charity – still ironing liners at age 87 to be included in the organisation’s menstrual health kits.
Though her work is often hidden, and she does not seek acknowledgement of her efforts, she is a source of inspiration to those who know her and have worked with her, bringing God’s love to everyone, always happy to help in whatever way she can.
Christopher Jones
Described as a man of strong faith and strong convictions, Chris has had a long and significant involvement with many key Catholic organisations, while furthering his own career in accounting.
A member of the Sandy Bay-Taroona parish community for over 40 years and member of the parish council for fifteen, he was also appointed to the Diocesan Finance Council for six years.
He has also served as a board member and treasurer for Southern Cross Care and a board member of Calvary Hospital Hobart, including a four-year term as treasurer, and has been associated with the Parents & Friends associations at St Peter’s School, St Virgil’s College, and Mt Carmel College.
Chris is also a member of the Order of St Lazarus of Jerusalem and is an active member of the Probus Men’s club of Hobart and Rotary and life member of the Royal Hobart Yacht Club.
In 2020, he was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia for service to the community of Hobart.
He has regularly given more than what would be expected from a volunteer and has demonstrated absolute commitment to every role he has undertaken, using his considerable professional qualifications, skills, and talents in service to the work of the Church in Tasmania.
Jean Askey-Doran
Known for her compassionate heart and very strong sense of social justice, Jean is someone who was always ready to fill a gap in any service or process and did this quietly, without a fuss.
Having taught at Sacred Heart College in Hobart, whilst raising four children with her husband Gary, Jean had a long association with the College and was a staff member from 1968-1997.
Her students learned through her example, to be aware of and help those in need, and she was always on hand to assist and advocate for students who needed support.
She was also involved with the Society of St Vincent de Paul and their outreach programs, managing a ‘Young Vinnies’ group at the college and fundraising for Catholic Missions.
Her support of the society extended also to encourage her students, her children, and her grandchildren to become involved.
Jean’s greatest virtue was that she was always ready to fill a gap in any service or process and she did this quietly, without a fuss.
Her dedication to helping others, contribution to the Society of St Vincent de Paul and long career in Catholic education makes Jean a worthy recipient of the Guilford Young Medal.
Josephine Maude ‘Jo’ Chipman
Jo’s generous and faith-filled service to the members of her parish community has been a great example of a life lived in the spirit of Archbishop Sir Guilford Young.
Member of the Bellerive-Lindisfarne Parish, Jo has been an active member for what is close to a quarter of a century, joining the Legion of Mary in 2000.
Jo helped organise and manage the Legion’s home visitation programme, and coordinated school visits designed to encourage the students’ understanding and appreciation of the Rosary.
For many years she also co-organised the annual World Day of Prayer at the parish.
For what is now nearly a quarter of a century, Jo has coordinated the distribution of Holy Communion to parishioners who are no longer able attend Sunday mass.
Over these years, Jo has enabled up to 80 people to receive the Lord on a regular basis, assisted by a team of Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, in the five aged care facilities located in the Bellerive-Lindisfarne Parish.
To this day, Jo herself does a round of home visitations twice a week, visiting up to 15 parishioners.
Patricia McKay
Having been involved in parish ministries for over 50 years, Patricia McKay has made a significant contribution to the Sandy Bay-Taroona Parish.
Born in Hobart and educated at St Mary’s College, she is described as a woman of deep faith, who attends daily Mass and as one referee noted, “her awareness of God being close at all times is very edifying.”
A quiet, but generous contributor, she has been responsible for the laundering and ironing of church linen for over 30 years, which represents a significant cost saving for any parish, while also organising many fundraising crusades in the parish.
Patricia has shown great support to the refugee and migrant community, as well as many parish youth evangelisation programmes over the years, working quietly and diligently in the background.
She is a wonderful example of Christian living to her family and to the parish community.
Peter Cusick
A parishioner at Bellerive-Lindisfarne for over 50 years, Peter Cusick has a long and significant association with the Catholic Church in Hobart, as an employee, a supporter, and a volunteer.
Working as an accountant in the Archdiocesan office, he was appointed as business manager in 1999 and held this position until his retirement in 2013.
Peter worked with four Archbishops, starting with Archbishop Young and finishing not long after Archbishop Porteous’ installation.
Archbishop Emeritus Adrian Doyle noted that Peter had a clear understanding of the financial operations of the Archdiocese and valued his advice in difficult times.
During the global financial crisis and faced with significant challenges, Peter provided strong and calm leadership.
Peter’s work for the church in Tasmania was not limited to his paid employment, having served as a member of the Bellerive-Lindisfarne parish council and treasurer, and supporting married couples at Marriage Encounter weekends with his wife Margaret.
He has also assisted Blueline Laundry, Mary’s Grange, St Cuthbert’s Primary, and is currently the chairman of Centacare Evolve Housing.
Peter’s long and ongoing commitment to the work of the church in Tasmania has been exemplary, and he remains a valuable source of information and knowledge to Archdiocesan staff today.
Reg Maloney
Reg moved to Tasmania in 1967, leaving the University of NSW to begin a role at the University of Tasmania, where he worked in student and academic administration until his retirement 27 years later.
His family has been active members of the Sandy Bay parish, with Reg serving on the parish pastoral council.
He has been described as a great member of the parish community, who is well liked and respected by all.
Reg was an active member of the Mt Carmel college community, serving as both member and president of the Parents & Friends Association.
In 1979, at the invitation of Archbishop Young, he joined the Tasmanian Catholic Education Commission.
He became chairperson in 1984 and held this position until 1989. His time on the commission was marked by the restructuring of secondary Catholic education in Hobart and the eventual establishment of Guilford Young College.
Throughout his years of service, Reg has been generous in sharing his professional expertise and talents, however they have been required.
Sr Lorraine Groves MSS
Lorraine Groves was born in 1942 in Beaconsfield, Tasmania and joined the Missionary Sisters of Service in 1959, when she was 17 years old.
Lorraine worked in the MSS correspondence schools and was also involved in providing religious instruction for students in the state school system unable to attend a Catholic school.
From 1977-1982 she worked in the printing office of the Missionary Sisters of Service, producing material for correspondence to schools all over Australia.
Sr Lorraine worked for nine years for Grow, an organisation that provided support for people with poor mental health and held pastoral positions in the Central Tasmania and East Coast parishes.
She was generous with her time and had a special talent for recognising the unique gifts of others.
Many have commented on her ability to develop strong community connections and availability for others.
She has used her talents in handcraft and gardening and has been involved in countless community projects, such as making rugs for aged care residents and the homeless.
Lorraine retired from her formal work in 2016, but remains connected, often as a mentor, to many people through phone calls and letter writing, particularly supportive of those experiencing grief and loneliness.
Timothy ‘Tim’ McManus
Tim has lived at Falmouth on the east coast for more than 60 years and has been a wonderfully loyal, supportive, and generous member of the St Marys Parish, worshipping mainly at St Helens.
For many years the relatively isolated communities of the east coast parish were not able to have Mass every week, often experiencing long periods without a resident Parish Priest. They were however well supported by both the Missionary Sisters of Service and the Sisters of St Joseph.
Tim provided excellent assistance and support to both these orders and to the various small communities that made up the parish.
An acolyte at St Helens, Tim served in the Mass and at Lay Led Liturgies with Holy Communion in the absence of a priest.
A local historian and commentator, two volumes of his reflections form the liturgies were lodged with the Archdiocesan archives, where they will be held permanently, as evidence of this important lay ministry in the life of the Church.
Tim’s deep faith and wonderful generosity enabled countless people to gather for worship each week to give praise and thanksgiving to God, when no priest was available.
