On 25 June members of Dr Hamlin’s family were joined by over 100 people in Sydney at the Fund’s Lighting a Candle event at St Alban’s Lindfield.

Colourful patchwork shawls, candles and tasty Ethiopian food created a wonderful atmosphere in which to mark 50 years of the Hamlins’ work.

The audience saw a DVD of Dr Hamlin’s Jubilee Message in which Dr Hamlin expressed her appreciation for the support which the people of Australia have provided over many years. The atmosphere of the Jubilee celebrated at the Hospital earlier in June was clearly conveyed through a presentation of photographs called ‘An Ordinary Miracle’, prepared by our honorary graphic designer, Lucy Perry of Pure Graphics.

Mark Bennett, the Hospital’s CEO and his wife Annette were visiting Sydney at the time and provided an interesting overview of the Hospital’s work and the midwifery initiative. The Rev. Stuart Abrahams AM, who for many years ran the Australian Fund, concluded the evening with a short reflection on the significance of the Hamlins’ Christian faith in undertaking their work amongst Ethiopian women.