On this ANZAC Day lest we forget those who have served, and those who are still serving our nation in the Australian Defence Force. We salute the sacrifice both they and their families have made for us all.
Deacon Gary Stone served our country for 48 years as a soldier and chaplain for the army and Australian Federal Police. He graduated from the Royal Military College Duntroon and was deployed around various parts of the world. In his years as a serving soldier, Gary was on the front line as a peacekeeper in countries like Iran, Malaysia and Fiji. He suffered post-traumatic stress after being held at gunpoint in Iran, suspected of being a spy. He was finally released unharmed physically, but the experience was shattering and led to Gary deciding to study for ordination in the Catholic Church. After further studies, he became an Army Chaplain and served in The Gap, Enoggera and Duntroon, and as an Australian Federal Police Chaplain in the Asian Tsunami, East Timor, Bougainville and Solomon Islands. He received an Order of Australia Medal for service to veterans and their families.
Thank you for your service Deacon Gary Stone, and for your witness to the faith.
We asked Deacon Gary to unpack an old chaplaincy kit from our archives and describe some of the items in the bag.