Guilford Young Medal 2025: ‘A declaration of hope’
By Catherine Sheehan
As he bestowed the Guilford Young Medal for 2025 on nine worthy recipients, Archbishop Tony Ireland said the honour was “not simply an award” but rather, “a declaration of hope”.
“It is a reminder of what a courageous, visionary leader can inspire in others, and it is a call for all of us to live lives marked by the ‘higher gifts’ that St Paul urges us to desire,” Archbishop Tony said.
“Love which animates other gifts builds a community. These are the gifts that shape a life that matters. And service to the Catholic Community was one gift that Sir Guilford Young himself embodied.”
The medal ceremony took place in the Crypt of St Mary’s Cathedral in Hobart on 21 November, the resting place of Archbishop Guilford Young, seventh Archbishop of Hobart, after whom the award is named.
The Guilford Young Medal is awarded to those who have demonstrated outstanding service to the Catholic Church in Tasmania.
“Today, the presentation of the Guilford Young Medal recognises nine people whose lives are already marked by dedication,” Archbishop Tony said.
“Each recipient of the Guilford Young Medal is someone whose leadership lifts others, whose character steadies those around them, whose presence brings light, and whose decisions are shaped by conscience.
“To our medal recipients today: may your lives continue to shine with those higher gifts. May your ambition always be shaped by faith, animated by hope, and crowned with love. May your achievement today be a source of inspiration for the communities in which you serve.”
Hans Wanders who has been instrumental in the restoration of the stained-glass windows at the Church of the Apostles in Launceston said he had been “floored” when he found out he was to receive the medal and felt “very honoured”.
“It was not something that I expected,” he said, “because the work that I do, I don’t expect to get rewarded for it because it’s something I do as a servant of God’s, but it is an honour to get it.”
Husband and wife duo, Max and Fran Keegan, served tirelessly over many years in the Kings Meadows Parish. Max said they were “filled with gratitude” after they each received the medal.
“The ceremony was a lovely ceremony and done very nicely,” Fran said. “And I thought it was meaningful to be down there in the Crypt near Archbishop Guilford Young too.”
Leonie Watson-Peters has led the music ministry at Mersey Leven Parish for many years and has been singing at Mass since she was 11 years old, when Fr Terry Yard first invited her to sing. “It’s just part of my life,” she said. Leonie added that the award was “very unexpected”.
Another dedicated church musician, Anne Stevens, has served as organist at St Peter’s Church in New Norfolk for more than sixty years.
“I wasn’t even expecting it,” she said, “because there are so many people that do so much for the churches.”
Sr Carmel Hinkley RSM who has served in Catholic primary school education for decades was “humbled” by the award.
“I couldn’t believe it,” she said. “I simply came to do what I felt I was called to do among the people of Bridgwater and New Norfolk.”
Audrey Storey describes her volunteer work of cleaning and providing fresh flowers at Sacred Heart Church in New Town over many years as just “a very ordinary thing”.
“It was nice to be recognised,” she said.
Parishioners of St Mary’s Parish on the East Coast, married couple Gerald and Wendy Aulich, were unable to attend the medal ceremony. They were “very humbled”, to each receive the award in recognition of their long-time service to the parish and expressed “a big thank you to everyone”.
“We feel that this medal really belongs to all our parishioners past and present, because everyone has worked so hard towards maintaining and keeping our parish going,” Wendy said.
Sr Carmel Hinkley RSM
Since 1976, Sr Carmel Hinkley has dedicated herself to Catholic education in both Victoria and Tasmania. In Victoria, she worked primarily in country schools, before arriving in Tasmania in 1984 as a young Sister and foundation member of the St Paul’s Catholic School community in Bridgewater.
Over the following eight years, she fulfilled several roles at St Pauls including classroom teacher, Religious Education Coordinator, and Principal for four years, before returning to Victoria. In 2003, Sister Carmel was returned to Bridgewater and resumed her service at St Paul’s in various capacities, including seven and a half years as kindergarten teacher. In 2012, Sr Carmel embraced a full-time pastoral care role shared between St Paul’s and St Brigid’s in New Norfolk – a role she describes as deeply rewarding.
She has faithfully lived the mission of Catherine McAuley, dedicating forty-six years (thirty-one of them in Tasmania) to serving Catholic parish primary schools and working with and for the poor.
Mr & Mrs Max and Frances Keegan
Max lives his faith quietly through his commitment to and love of Fran, their family, their fellow parishioners, and others in the community, especially those in need. Max trained as an electrician and throughout his life, he has generously shared his skills in the parish contributing extensive electrical and maintenance work. He has served as a senior altar server for many years and assisted with a range of parish tasks including setting up for Mass and preparing for funerals – always the first to arrive and last to leave.
Fran’s leadership and organisational gifts have enriched parish life for decades. She has chaired pastoral committees, prepared liturgies, managed rosters, and offered hospitality and care to priests and parishioners alike. She visits the sick, bringing Holy Communion, and providing pastoral support with compassion and grace. Fran unwavering presence, and genuine love and support for others is viewed by many as principal among her defining qualities.
Mrs Anne Stevens
For more than sixty years, Anne Stevens has faithfully served St Peter’s Catholic Church in New Norfolk as its organist, enriching the liturgy with music that lifts hearts and minds in prayer. Absent only through illness, her dedication has been unwavering, and her ministry has brought life and joy to the parish community.
Beyond St Peter’s, Anne has generously shared her gift of music throughout Central Tasmania, playing at weddings and funerals in various parish churches over many years.
As a teacher of music to generations of Derwent Valley children, she has nurtured talent and inspired a love of music that will endure for decades to come. In 2023, her name was added to the Honour Roll of Influential Women of the Derwent Valley in recognition of her extraordinary service as church organist and esteemed music teacher.
Mrs Audrey Storey
Audrey Storey has been one of the quiet achievers of the Cathedral Parish, particularly at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in New Town. Married to her late husband Tom, and blessed with four sons—Ray, Brendan, Andrew, and John – Audrey has devoted decades of service to her parish community.
For many years, Audrey lovingly cleaned God’s house and provided fresh flowers each week, often sourced from her own garden. Her generosity extended beyond Sunday Masses to funerals, baptisms, and other special occasions. Like a mother, she undertook these tasks without seeking recognition or reward, motivated solely by her love for God and for the Church.
In days past Audrey contributed similarly to the former Lenah Valley Parish at Immaculate Heart Church, offering steadfast support to the late Fr Rex Donohue and selflessly assisting wherever needed – always quietly, always without expectation.
As she approaches a fullness of years (92) her continuing service and enduring legacy of dedication and faith remains an inspiration.
Mr Hans Wanders
A recent major conservation project to restore the 24 stained-glass windows of the Church of the Apostles in Launceston and preserve the building’s heritage for future generations is just one of many initiatives made possible through the leadership and service to the Parish of Hans Wanders.
For more than 20 years, Hans has served on the Launceston Parish Finance, Building and Maintenance Committee, overseeing countless projects and, together with his wife Helen, faithfully managing the parish’s weekly collections.
A lifelong parishioner of the Parish and an active member of the St Patrick’s College Chapel community, Hans has generously given his time to every aspect of parish life – organising the lay ministry rosters, serving as a Reader and Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion, and ensuring the smooth running of the 9am Sunday Mass.
Since the COVID pandemic, Hans has also coordinated the live streaming of Sunday Mass, ensuring the spiritual connection of the community during challenging times.
Mrs Leonie Watson-Peters
For over half a century, Leonie Watson Peters has faithfully served as Musical Director at Our Lady of Lourdes Church in the Mersey Leven Catholic Parish. Her commitment to the music ministry in her parish is described by a good many as extraordinary — marked by both the length of her service and the exceptional quality of her contribution.
Week after week, she has led the liturgical hymns and psalms, carefully selecting music that complements the Gospel and enhances the prayerfulness of every Holy Mass.
A gifted and accomplished musician with multiple academic qualifications in music and education, Leonie has brought both her talent and her organisational skill to the role in her parish. Her contributions extend far beyond the organ bench: she prepares detailed music programs for each liturgical season and feast day, ensuring relevance, freshness, and variety. At Easter and Christmas, her leadership in rehearsals and her choice of solemn music have enriched the parish’s most sacred celebrations.
Mr & Mrs Gerald and Wendy Aulich
Gerald and Wendy Aulich stand as pillars of faith and service within their community on Tasmania’s East Coast. For decades, they have worked tirelessly to support especially parish life and advance the mission of the Church.
Born in Stanley in 1942, Gerald has devoted more than sixty years to the Church of St Mary of the Assumption and St Boniface at St Mary’s. Since his marriage to Wendy Richardson in 1964, Gerald has served as Chair of the Parish Finance Council, offering steadfast leadership and practical support. His active participation in parish life extends to supporting liturgical celebrations, parish programs, and other countless projects relating to repairs and maintenance.
Wendy Aulich has likewise given selflessly and generously of her time and talents, volunteering as parish secretary and supporting parish activities with grace and dedication. In recent years, as Gerald’s health has declined, in addition to her own responsibilities, Wendy has stepped forward to support Gerald to continue performing his responsibilities, ensuring continuity and care for the parish community.