Four score and fifteen years ago, in 1913, Melbourne Synod passed a resolution establishing the Church of England Boys' Society for boys aged 14-18, under the guidance of the Church of England Mens' Society. Branches started in other states. Queensland was second in 1915 here at Toowong, 1918 in Tasmania, 1927 in South Australia, 1928 in New South Wales, and 1948 in Western Australia. A national organisation was born.

Today we close a 93-year adventure along a path lead by our Lord Jesus, sustained by the Holy Spirit and challenged by our Lord God. It was a path that had its ups and downs. In recent times, the management of CEBS Nationally, has been challenged by the many reports and convictions for child abuse within the ranks of leaders of CEBS stretching back many years. My Board of Management, with the Diocese’s help, did all it could to provide avenues for affected people to come forward. We were just as shocked as the reports came forward. We humbly apologise to anyone so affected. Justice is, and will be done.

The majority of all CEBS Leaders gave their all to help boys and young men strive for spiritual, mental, physical and social development to become good Christian members of the community.

Youth organisations live and die by their leadership strength, and the desire to persevere in their dedicated volunteer work for the youth under their care. CEBS Brisbane had those leaders. CEBS Brisbane put on some wonderful events. In the 1960’s, a march of some 2,500 strong through the streets of Surfers Paradise captured on 16mm film.

The wonderful vision of Bob Hingston and his merry band of leaders to think outside the normal national camp format and introduce sub-camps for the first time in 1977. An innovation that ran for another 25 years.

In the late 60’s, Peter and Sandra Smith bought a block of mountainous scrub land at Mount Mee which enabled Chermside CEBS to have a permanent bush camp site called Burra Bunya, a sub-camp for the 1977 National Camp. When Peter sold the land, the Anglican Mens Society gave the Diocese a loan for them to buy it, to continue the great Diocesan Camps and Bush Rally’s and Billy Cart Derby’s held there. It was a sad day for me and many CEBS when it was sold to a private buyer in 1997, but we moved on.

We still had our great campsite at Pointro on Maroon Dam. The generosity of the Gray Family of Boonah to sell the house and land to CEBS Brisbane for a peppercorn, was followed by more generosity from the Anglican Mens Society who loaned money to move the homestead up past the dam high water mark and build it in. This was done with a lot of volunteer work from CEBS Leaders and parents ably lead by Bob Hingston and the incredibly dedicated visionary, Fr Doug Laver, who rests in peace in St.Oswald’s Chapel at Pointro. I thank our caretakers Jerry Schefe and Phillipa Pocock for helping maintain the premier site on Maroon Dam. I challenge the Diocese to fully support Stephen Harrison of Ministry Education Commission as he takes over the management of Pointro. I ask all present to make Pointro a holiday destination because it is second to none.

We did not always have our own camp sites. Before Burra Bunya and Pointro, the Diocese had a lease at Running Creek where the Longlands and Flemings produced fantastic bush camps from scratch with no mod cons. I thank them for all the camps they organised and all their helpers as well.

In 1976 I was fortunate to be chosen from Brisbane CEBS to be present at a Youth Gathering at Government House to meet the Queen. Unlike GFS, CEBS was only found in Australia and Her Majesty asked me quite a few questions about CEBS and, in particular, why it was not present in the United Kingdom. Maybe another chance missed!

In these last 93 years, Anglican youth organisations have struggled to move forward with vigour because they were not supported by the Anglican Church in a sustainable way. The Church relied on the righteousness of the volunteer leaders to shoulder the burden so that it did not have any responsibility for failures. I implore current church leaders to embrace our Anglican Youth organisations and fully support them, for surely, the youth they nurture, are the Church’s future.

In particular, I urge all Anglicans, to support GFS – An Anglican Ministry with Kids Plus. They have been the rock of youth ministry in the Australian Anglican Church for over 100 years. CEBS Brisbane will pass its cash assets to GFS. I thank them tonight for the wonderful food they have provided. (applause) My prayers and support go with them always.

Before I close, I pay tribute to all former Commissioners and Executive members of CEBS Brisbane. During my time I especially thank Leisha Rule, Val Taylor, Mary Fleming and my mother, Yvonne and Joyce Zelow and any others who helped out in the CEBS Office. I thank Graham Borgges for his 20 years as Treasurer. The De Lacy brothers for their input into the management of CEBS for many years. Doug Quinn, Fr Warren Darnley and Fr Iain Furby and Bob Hingston as Chief Commissioners and Directors. I welcome Beth Berry and Chris Whittall from Rockhampton. Peter and Pam Wedgwood who postponed their retirement to look after Toowoomba CEBS. (applause)

45 years of service to CEBS is a marvellous achievement. Ian Somerville, has been Pointro Booking Officer and Treasurer for more than a decade. He has continued his strong association with CEBS even through the loss of his wife, Lynette, to cancer. Lynette was also a CEBS helper whom we met during the 1985 National Camp in Tasmania where they also became good friends with Archbishop Phillip. I salute you, Ian. (applause)

Finally, I would like to sincerely thank my brother, Peter. Peter has, for many years, served Chermside CEBS and Diocesan CEBS in the toughest of jobs, Administrator, Registrar, Secretary and Shop Manager. I can safely say that I have known no one else in CEBS who has put so much heart and sole and devoted so much time to CEBS. For many years, using his lunch hours to go to the CEBS Office to deal with all the matters that arise. Taking and distributing minutes and keeping abreast of the child protection laws and guidelines that youth organisations must follow these days, and keeping the communications going among CEBS Leaders. CEBS would have collapsed much earlier if not for Peter. He has enabled CEBS Brisbane to close with direction and confidence. We all thank you. (applause)

I know the Lord now has other goals for us CEBS. Some will remain lone members with the sole remaining states Victoria and Western Australia and we will keep in touch with our National body through national council meetings and give them support where possible. I would like it widely known that we ex-CEBS will book Pointro for the first weekend in August each year to meet and enjoy each others fellowship.

What have I enjoyed about CEBS? Everything! In particular, I will always remember the stirring rendition of Mine Eyes Have Seen with the cathedral organ at the opening service for the 1977 National Camp. The majesty of the night sky at Pointro and the sounds of the bush at Burra Bunya. I pray that the Anglican church will show the way in the support of its youth. I know that CEBS has provided a legacy which will continue to play an important part in the future of our youth. Thank you and goodbye.