Congratulations go to our Director of Music, Sheila Thompson, who was awarded an ORDER OF AUSTRALIA IN THE GENERAL DIVISION (OAM) for service to the community of Canberra as a church organist and musical director; Director of Music, St John the Baptist Anglican Church, since 1988; Organist, since 1988; Co-Conductor, U3A Choral Studies Group, since 1994; Volunteer Organist/Pianist; St Andrew’s Village and Jindalee Nursing Homes, since 2001.

St John’s has enjoyed a long tradition of musical excellence, which has continued under Sheila’s stewardship.  She has a performance degree in pipe organ from the Canberra School of Music and is a teacher of piano and organ.

St John’s pipe organ was built in 1981 by Ronald Sharp who built the organ at the Sydney Opera House.  As a gifted organist and performer Sheila has enhanced our worship life and has promoted organ and church music to the wider population of Canberra. 

There is a shortage of people who can play the pipe organ and as a teacher Sheila has encouraged others to learn and play the pipe organ for future generations.

We live in an age where churches have to pay for Directors of Music and organists.  In my last parish in Melbourne this was a substantial cost to our budget.  Sheila has acted in this capacity at St John’s in a completely voluntary capacity.

We value Sheila’s enthusiasm and exceptional commitment to the music and people at St John’s.  I have found that nothing is too much trouble for her and that time and time again she is prepared to ‘go the extra mile’.  Such is her commitment to volunteerism, church music, worship and belonging to our faith community.

We thank you, Sheila, for all you give to both our St John’s community and the wider community of Canberra.

Reverend Paul Black

Rector