BOURKE CATHEDRAL

Cornerstone Community is well known to many Sunshine Coast-ites, as several students associated with Goodlife Church studied there, and worked on the associated cotton farms. We first visited Cornerstone one Easter. We’d been there only a short time when someone asked us to help mix up a big batch of batter for pancakes!

Eventually we found the reason: Easter Sunrise Service at the Bourke Cathedral. “Where’s that”, we enquired. “Down the road; turn right at the third grid. You can go on the school’s bus, if you like.” 

We took that option at 5.00 am on Easter Day.

The scene greeting us is indelibly etched in my memory. Three huge bonfires were lighting up the area, acting like beacons. A cross was discernible in the morning miasma; a pulpit alongside for Paul Roe, the service leader. But, looking out over the landscape, vehicles raising plumes of dust could be seen converging from many directions. Were they all coming to this venue, in the cotton-field, homing in on the fires? Yes, they were. 300 residents from the area arrived.

Chairs had been set up. We snuggled into place, glad of our parkas and boots in the cool, and of the fires radiating warmth. Then as Paul started leading the service, the sun began to rise in the eastern sky, its early morning rays signalling a new dawn. Wanting to contribute, a flock of corellas flew over the scene, squawking their agreement.

The Buster Family had hosted this event on their property many, many times, and the men very soon had pancakes sizzling on the large hot-plates sitting over the hot gidgee coals which had burned down from the bonfires. Everyone added their own butter and preferred syrup.

What a scene. What a morning! What a start to a new year!

But nothing on earth lasts forever. A few years ago the Cornerstone Community had to rationalize and move to other campus. The Buster property has now been sold.

I’ll always remember that Easter Dawn service in the Bourke Cathedral. We’ll never know what legacy was left there.