Acknowledging 90-year milestone
This week marks a significant milestone in the history of the Faith in the Antipodes, being 90 years ago when the establishment of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Australia and New Zealand occurred. It was at the same time that the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Iran was formed. Now, in acknowledgement of their joint history, the National Spiritual Assemblies of Australia and New Zealand express their heartfelt love and greetings through letters exchanged between these two national institutions, that have been separate entities since 1957.
Alongside these messages of mutual love and support, this article begins with a brief historical narrative drawn from 'Resolute Advance,' offering an insight into the journey that led to this wonderful moment in the history of the Faith in Australasia.
A historical account from ‘Resolute Advance’
“… During this time, the believers had also given their attention to the administration. In 1932, when Mother Dunn returned from the Holy Land she brought with her the news that the Guardian wished the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Australia and New Zealand to form as soon as possible. Immediately, the three existing Local Spiritual Assemblies in the two countries began to correspond and resolved to hold a convention in 1934. This meant the Auckland Spiritual Assembly had to determine how many Bahá'ís there were in New Zealand, and listed a total of twenty-seven, of whom sixteen were designated 'voting members’ in Auckland.
The first Convention was held in Sydney from 15-18 May 1934, with 9 delegates allocated equally, viz:
From Auckland - Emily Axford, Margaret Stevenson, Ethel Blundell
From Adelaide - Silver Jackman, Hilda Brooks, Robert Brown
From Sydney - Jane Routh, John Hyde Dunn, Oswald Whittaker
The New Zealand delegates were the first to arrive and a special meeting of welcome was arranged; later in the week, Adelaide delegates and believers from elsewhere joined them so that before the Convention opened, a feeling of true Bahá'í friendliness and fellowship was established, and all were filled with an anticipatory joy in being privileged to take part in such a momentous event. Among those elected to the National Spiritual Assembly were the first New Zealand Bahá'í, Margaret Stevenson [10], as well as the first Australian believer, Oswald Whittaker[11] ; the only other member from New Zealand was Ethell Blundell….”
[10]. Bahá'í National Archives, MS 200.14.01. Report on First Convention of the Bahá'ís of Australia and New Zealand.
[11]. Oswald Whittaker became a Bahá'í in 1922.
First National Convention of the Bahá'ís of Australia and New Zealand; group of thirty-three Bahá'ís. Back row; Mrs C Moffit, Mrs Moody, Miss J Chandler, Miss D M Dugdale, Mr O Hicks, Mr P M Almond, Mrs M Almond, Miss E Dawe. Middle row; Mr G Inman, Mrs Brown, Mrs Hawthorne, Mrs Wilkins, Miss G Moody, Miss H Gilbert, Mrs P Rickman, Miss E Miller, Mrs Whittaker, Mr Hawthorne, Mr B Dewing. Front row; Mrs M Dixon, Mr O Whittaker, Miss H M Brooks, Mrs S M Jackman, Mrs O Routh, Mr R S Brown, Mrs Hyde Dunn, Mr Hyde Dunn, Miss M B Stevenson, Mrs E Axford, Miss E Blundell, Mrs Luby, Master Rickman, Master Brown.
Letter from the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Australia
NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY OF THE BAHÁ’ÍS OF AUSTRALIA INCORPORATED
3 May 2024 ( 7 Jamál 181 B.E. )
The National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of New Zealand (Aotearoa)
Transmitted by email
Dear Bahá’í Friends,
The National Spiritual Assembly conveys its warmest love to our esteemed sister Assembly on the auspicious occasion of the 90th anniversary of the establishment of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís Australia and New Zealand this Ridvan, which was elected by nine delegates from Adelaide, Auckland and Sydney in 1934.
It is fitting that while you were holding your recent National Convention and electing the members of your National Assembly, across the Tasman the Australian Bahá’í Community was simultaneously holding its own National Convention, during which this significant anniversary was acknowledged. We wish to take this opportunity to convey the love and admiration of all the delegates gathered and of our National Assembly for the wonderful achievements of our sister community over the past nine decades.
We call to mind the first letter penned by the Guardian on 26 July 1934 to the Secretary of the first National Spiritual Assembly in response to the news of the first National Convention:
Dear and valued co-worker, My heart is filled with joy and gratitude as a result of the perusal of your letter. I long to be in close and constant touch with your newly-formed National Assembly - the first of your administrative activities and the herald of one of the most fruitful and stirring periods in the history of the Faith in that promising continent. I will be so glad to receive copies of the minutes of your gatherings, and urge you to keep in close touch with your sister Assemblies throughout the Bahá’í world. I will assuredly pray for you and your dear and devoted collaborators from the depths of my heart. Your true brother, Shoghi
It is noted that we continue to benefit from close ties of friendship, kinship and the rich exchange of learning and resources between our communities and we look forward to many more years of collaboration and mutual support.
Please be assured of our prayers in the Mother Temple for the Antipodes for the success of your endeavours to release the society-building power of the Faith over the course of the Nine Year Plan.
With loving Bahá’í greetings,
NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY OF THE BAHÁ’ÍS OF AUSTRALIA INC.
Natalie Mobini-Kesheh
Acting Secretary
cc. Counsellors Taraz Nadarajah, Daniel Pierce Olam, Vahid Saberi and Tessa Scrine
Letter from the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of New Zealand
NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY OF THE BAHÁ’ÍS OF NEW ZEALAND
TE RŪNANGA WAIRUA TAPU O NGA BAHÁ’Í O AOTEAROA
8 May 2024
12 Jamál 181
National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Australia
Dearly loved brothers and sisters,
Whāia e koe te iti kahurangi. Ki te tuohu me he maunga teitei
Seek the treasures of your heart, if you bow, let it be to a lofty mountain.
It was truly uplifting to hear that our National Conventions were held at the same time, and to receive the warm greetings of the National Spiritual Assembly and the delegates gathered at your Convention, in acknowledgement of the special anniversary of the establishment of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Australia and New Zealand at Riḍván 1934.
We wish to convey heartfelt love and congratulations to our “dear and devoted collaborators” in Australia from the National Assembly of New Zealand and all the friends in our country of Aotearoa.
We have been prompted to reflect on the meaning of this historic occasion which brought such joy and gratitude to the beloved Guardian and marked the establishment of more formalised administrative activities in the Antipodes. It was a momentous milestone in the spread of Bahá’u’lláh’s Revelation in the region, and as such, gives powerful encouragement to our endeavours to “extend the process of community building and effect profound social transformation.”[1]
We send our loving best wishes and sincere affection to all the dear friends in Australia, as we strive together “to contribute a share of what humanity needs in this day.”[2]
Loving Bahá’í greetings,
National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of New Zealand
Suzanne Mahon
Secretary
cc. Counsellors Taraz Nadarajah, Daniel Pierce Olam, Vahid Saberi and Tessa Scrine
[1] Riḍván 2024 Message
[2] Ibid
Featured Photo: (1934) First National Spiritual Assembly of Australia and New Zealand: P. M. Almond, E. Blundell, C. A. Whittaker, R. S. Brown, S. M. Jackman, C. Moffitt, J. Hyde Dunn, M. B .Stevenson, N. M .Brooks.
