On entering the church I was struck by the wonderful acoustics of this now empty building. I thought I would test them out and sang a couple of songs I had learnt as a child at Sunday school at North Sydney in the 1950s. Not having sung the songs, “Be valiant, be strong” and “My cup’s full and running over” for so long, I was surprised at the accuracy and confidence of my recall. It was only later, when I returned home, listened to a recording I made of my singing and read and reflected on the mission that I realized how appropriate my song choice had actually been.
Singing in the mission church One Anzac Day around about noon Remembering songs from Sunday School Indelible words, indelible tunes. Chorus: “My cup is full and running over”, “Be valiant, be very strong“ Resist the power of sin”, I sing Words from days long gone. Lest we forget old Ebenezer The mission on a limestone rise A rock of hope for over fifty years Below those unending, Wimmera skies. Devout Moravians with good intention Believed a future did exist Salvation for all God’s creation Eternal life for the indigenous. With Ebenezer’s isolation The settlers’ ways could not confound Pressure placed on long traditions Saw changes that would be profound. Black and white both rest together In the soil, now hallowed ground Corroboree and mission bell Echoes from the past resound. © Jim Low