MU Melbourne Banners

Mothers’ Union Melbourne Diocesan Banner

This beautiful Banner, was designed and made by Mr. A. Olding of Melbourne, c. 1954.

 

The Banner is an outstanding piece of ecclesiastical art.

The Madonna and Child in the central panel is worked in cream fairford brocade.

The Madonna’s robe, which is in blue fairford brocade, has a large amethyst set into the clasp at the neckline.

This jewel is from a necklet belonging to Mr. Olding’s mother, a past member of Mothers’ Union.

 

The side panels depict the Tudor rose in beautifully shaded pink colourings set in trails of shaded green leaves. This motif is in keeping with the Tudor rose decorations used so extensively in the Cathedral.

 

The Diocesan coat of arms is at the base, while the back of the banner in made of blue fairford brocade and has a large MU embroidered on it. The motto of the Mothers’ Union is worked in fine stitching: 'FOR LOVE OF GOD AND HOME'.

 

This MU Diocesan Banner was dedicated by the Archbishop of Melbourne, Dr. J. J. Booth,  during the Mothers’ Union Quiet Day Service in 1954.

The Service was attended by a record 1150 communicants. In his address, Dr. Booth stressed the importance for mothers to bring the spiritual training into a child’s life instead of worldly cynicism.

The dedication of the banner was an outstanding event! The Honorary Diocesan Secretary, Mrs. H Stephens accompanied by the MU Diocesan President, Mrs. J. J. Booth and deputy President Mrs. H Barkley, handed the Banner to His Grace, The Archbishop, for the Service of Dedication.

When this was concluded, the Archbishop handed the Banner to Mrs Booth as President. It was then carried to the Sanctuary by a Server.

Taken from

 

‘The Banners of the Mothers’ Union and Caritas Groups of The Diocese of Melbourne’ Doug Myers

MU Melbourne Diocesan Travelling Banner

Early in 2002 it became apparent that there was a need for a more portable banner to avoid possible damage to the Diocesan Banner in the event that it may be required outside the cathedral.

 

The Banner

 

June Ryan, from the Embroiderers Guild, with both her concept and interpretation

made this truly beautiful banner along the lines of the existing Diocesan Banner.

 

The banner is simply based,

with mother and child on the front.

The side and top panels are blue

with gum leaves and flowers

and the MU logo at the top.

 

On the plain blue back is ‘Diocese of Melbourne’ above the MU logo.

 

It was many hours in the making and was shown to the Embroiderers Guild

in February 2002.

 

Bishop David Shand dedicated the Banner at the Lady Day Service, March 21st 2002, at St Paul’s Frankston.

 

The new Travelling Banner is kept in the MU Shop/Office, and is available for use when MU is being represented on a Diocesan level outside the Cathedral, and it is appropriate to have a banner.

 

Taken from ‘The Banners of the Mothers’ Union and Caritas Groups of The Diocese of Melbourne’ Doug Myers

The Banners of the Mothers' Union Branches and Caritas Groups, Diocese of Melbourne.

The late Doug Myers completed an archival copy of ‘The Banners of the Mothers’ Union Branches and Caritas Groups, Diocese of Melbourne’ using wonderful computer skills.
 
The ‘Book’ contains pictures of banners from 89 groups, both active and in recess, and includes more than 124 banner photos.
 
Doug Myers captured the culture of our banners beautifully and this is magnificent contribution to maintaining the MU history of the Diocese.
 
Please note that 'The MU Banner Book' file is huge...60 pages.
(42.1 MB) and may take a while to download.