New Times - September 2007 - Uniting Church in Australia

16 N E W S
New Times
Mixed emotions as Baxter closes
Rev Adam Tretheway, the Uniting Church SA’s chaplain to refugees
and asylum seekers, led the final worship service at Baxter Detention
Centre last month.
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S E P T E M B E R 2 0 0 7
The closure of Baxter
Detention centre has stirred
up mixed emotions for rev
Adam Tretheway, the uniting
church sA’s chaplain to
refugees and asylum seekers.
Adam led the final worship
service at Baxter Detention
centre last month. he has
been visiting detainees at the
centre since January 2005
and still supports many who
have been released into the
community.
Adam said the sudden
confirmation of Baxter’s
closure and speedy relocation
of the 12 remaining detainees
to other interstate facilities
caused some confusion and
anxiety.
“I am concerned for those
who will lose contact with
their established supporters
and with groups such as
‘The circle of Friends’,” said
Adam. “however some will
also be reunited with friends
call 8236 4230. The excepTIoNAl commitment and service
offered by uniting church sA Financial
services manager Joan Blanchard has been
acknowledged by members of the presbytery
and synod.
previously relocated from
Baxter.
“While I welcome the
closure of the detention
facility, I know that the
trauma associated with
detention continues for years.
The physical, psychological
and emotional costs are farreaching.
“If only the money poured
into Baxter had been spent
to support and resettle
refugees and asylum seekers
immediately on their arrival.
“Many of these people have
experienced significant pain
and suffering while escaping
oppressive conditions in their
countries. Detention merely
compounds their trauma.
“The uniting church
condemns the mandatory and
indefinite detention of asylum
seekers.
“however at least we
are able to support people
Acknowledging Joan’s contribution
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detained in mainland
detention centres.
“We are very concerned
about the mega detention
centre being built on
christmas Island which
is even more remote and
inaccessible.
Adam said Baxter
Detention centre will be a
scar on south Australia’s
history, with the detention
centre being remembered as a
place where detainees clashed
with guards, went on hunger
strikes and attempted suicide.
Adam and others from
the Anglican and catholic
churches who supported
detainees, were planning
to hold a silent reflection
outside Baxter as New Times
went to print late last month.
Further information on the
ucA’s position on asylum
seekers and refugees can be
found at www.nat.uca.org.
au/unitingjustice/.
Resources Board chairperson Rev Dr Tony Nancarrow gave Financial Services manager Joan Blanchard a
floral tribute during the recent Presbytery and Synod meeting.
Joan has worked for the church for the past
19 years and is due to retire early next
month.
she has been particularly supportive
of congregational treasurers during the
introduction GsT legislation and taken an
active interest in managing the financial
affairs of the church’s major benefactors.