Hundreds of LCANZ members and friends have gathered to thank God for the 75th anniversary of Australian Lutheran World Service (ALWS) at the places where the church’s overseas aid and development agency had its beginnings.
The weekend of celebration and thanksgiving events in March centred around Albury in the New South Wales Riverina and at Bonegilla, just over the Victorian border, where ALWS’s ministry of practical love and care had its roots in the service of a Lutheran pastor almost eight decades ago.
Bonegilla was a migrant reception centre and camp that became a temporary home to approximately 300,000 post-World War II refugees and migrants, from 1947 until its closure in 1971. In its early years, many at Bonegilla spoke German and a high percentage were Lutheran, so Pastor Bruno Muetzelfeldt, who served at nearby Albury, was asked to minister to the new arrivals.
On Saturday 22 March, almost 200 people joined the commemorations and celebrations at Bonegilla, with some travelling from as far as Mackay, North Queensland, 2000 kilometres away. Former residents, some who had not previously returned to Bonegilla, shared memories of their time at the camp.
On the same day, 105 people participated in Bonegilla Walk My Way, walking all or part of the 10 kilometres return to the Old Bonegilla railway station. Through this and multiple other campaigns across 2025, including Walk My Ways in Melbourne, Adelaide and Brisbane, Executive Director Michael Stolz said ALWS aimed to support 75,000 children whose lives are affected by war or poverty.
Also contributing to funds being raised are proceeds from the book Table of Eight, which was launched on the anniversary weekend. It is the memoir of Dr Brian Neldner, whose own remarkable legacy of service in international aid and development began at Bonegilla.
Michael said that, as of the time of The Lutheran’s deadline, more than $16,700 had been raised, supporting 668 children. Adding to this will be an offering from the anniversary thanksgiving service at St Luke’s Lutheran Church Albury, on 23 March, at which LCANZ Bishop Paul Smith reflected on the origins of ALWS and the Christian life in service of others ‘whoever they are’, done in response to the saving message of the gospel.
