About Our Group<\/a><\/p>\n Community<\/a><\/p>\n Funding the future<\/a><\/p>\n Contact Us<\/a><\/p>\n More Information<\/a><\/p>\n Make a Donation<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n WCF Inc \u2013 Windermere Church Forever Incorporated \u2013 is a group of Tamar Valley residents whose goal is to ensure the long term future of St Matthias\u2019 Church at Windermere, Tasmania.<\/p>\n We formed originally as a result of the scheme imposed by the Anglican Church Diocese of Tasmania to address the issue of the victims of child abuse receiving redress (arising from the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse). The need for WCF to help raise money for redress has now passed, with the announcement on December 1, 2018, that St Matthias\u2019 had been removed from the Synod\u2019s list of properties proposed to be sold. See: Churches Saved<\/a>.<\/p>\n However, despite the redress target being met, the Anglican Church of Tasmania has made it clear that a viable long-term future for Windermere Church depends overwhelmingly on continued community involvement.<\/p>\n Thus, our two broad aims are:<\/p>\n Please help us ensure the preservation of Windermere Church for its iconic heritage and community values for future generations.<\/p>\n To make a donation:<\/strong> Donate<\/a><\/p>\n Note: This section “About Our Group” last updated 1 May 2024.<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n All residents of the Tamar Valley – whether churchgoers or not, whether from Windermere, Swan Bay, Hillwood, Dilston, the West Tamar – have a stake in St Matthias\u2019 future. As so do the rest of Tasmania and Australia.<\/p>\n The church is an award winning heritage building, in a beautiful location, with graves dating from the 1840s and an active columbarium wall. This iconic building, graveyard and site is part of many people\u2019s daily lives. It is also a major tourist attraction.<\/p>\n Like many other rural Anglican churches, the land and building at Windermere gifted to the community in perpetuity. The church and grounds have been maintained by the community for since 1843. The graves and niches contain the remains of ancestors and loved ones of many in the community.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n WCF, as an independent group recognised by but not affiliated with the Parish, provides an avenue whereby the community can contribute to Windermere Church\u2019s long term existence as a community asset without contributing directly to the Church.<\/p>\n WCF will raise money through fundraising activities and by direct donations.<\/p>\n The group has received official approval from the Tasmanian Department of Justice to solicit for charitable purposes. The group is officially an incorporated association under the Department of Justice,\u00a0 incorporation number IA12311 .<\/p>\n WCF will not hand over any funds without sufficient and on-going assurance from the Anglican diocese of Tasmania for its support of St Matthias\u2019 in the long term.<\/p>\n However, it is recognised that the future of Windermere Church must be a cooperative effort between the Church and the community. It is anticipated that some of the fundraising activities and events arranged will be jointly organised by the Parish and WCF.<\/p>\n Through our fundraising or by direct donation or by joining WCF as a member, you can help to ensure the future of St Matthias\u2019 in a way that is acceptable to the community and to society in general.<\/p>\n Please help us ensure the future of Windermere Church Forever.<\/p>\n Donations to WCF are not tax deductible.<\/p>\n To make a donation:<\/strong> Donate<\/a><\/p>\n To become a member:<\/strong> Download our\u00a0Membership Application Form<\/a>.<\/p>\n Email:<\/strong> info@windermerechurchforever.org Send us a message:<\/strong> Click on the “Send us a message” link below to message us from this website.<\/p>\n FaceBook<\/strong> (accessible to the public): www.facebook.com\/windermerechurchforever<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Become an active member of our group<\/a><\/p>\n Email or phone us, or send a message using the links below.<\/p>\n Any kind of support, including professional support and volunteers, would be greatly appreciated.<\/p>\n More about founding group members<\/a><\/p>\n George and Jenny Chandler: Residents of Windermere since 1967.<\/p>\n June and David Burnet: Residents of Windermere since 2012.<\/p>\n Fiona Ferguson: Resident of Windermere since 2005.<\/p>\n More about St Matthias’ and the Tamar Valley<\/a><\/p>\n Click the following:<\/p>\nAbout Our Group<\/h2>\n
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St Matthias\u2019 and the Community<\/h2>\n
Fundraising, Donations and Membership<\/h2>\n
Contact Us<\/h2>\n
\nPhone:<\/strong>\u00a0 0419 544 266 or 61419 544 266
\nPostal Address:<\/strong> 165 Windermere Road, East Tamar, Tasmania, 7252<\/p>\nMore Information<\/h2>\n