Others Magazine

Major Mavis Everett was promoted to glory unexpectedly on Sunday 20 June 2021, aged 91.

Mavis Tyrer was born on 28 May 1930 in Melbourne, Victoria. She entered Melbourne’s Officer Training College in 1952 from her home corps, Melbourne City Temple, joining the Intercessors session of cadets.

After commissioning in 1953, Lieutenant Mavis was appointed as an assistant corps officer to Warragul Corps and then further appointments to Mordialloc Corps and Prahran Corps. On 1 January 1955, she married Lieutenant Brian Everett, a fellow Intercessor.

The Everetts’ first appointment as a married couple was to Huonville Corps in Tasmania, during which time their first child Eleanor was born. Further Tasmanian corps appointments followed at Smithton, Sandy Bay and Devonport where their second child Gillian was born. In 1960, the Everetts were appointed to Colac Corps in Victoria where their family was completed with the birth of Geoffrey. Subsequent appointments in Victoria were to corps at Ballarat West and Stawell.

In 1966, it was back to Tasmania for appointments to corps at South Launceston and Hobart. Due to Brian’s ill-health in 1969, it was necessary for Mavis and Brian to step aside from officership and for the next 10 years, they soldiered and held leadership positions at Hawthorn Corps.

In 1980, the Everetts returned to full-time service and received appointments to Altona Corps followed by divisional appointments in the Northern Victoria Division, with Mavis as the Divisional Secretary. Two years later, Mavis was appointed to the Territorial Finance Department in Melbourne.

In 1985, returning to Tasmania, Mavis became State League of Mercy Secretary. Four years later, they returned to THQ appointments and Mavis had responsibilities as Territorial League of Mercy Secretary and then Chairman of the Public Questions Board. Major Mavis completed her active officer service as the private secretary to the Territorial Commander, retiring in 1996 with more than 33 years of active service.

As active retired officers, the Everetts accepted seven further appointments across Victoria, Western Australia and the Northern Territory.

In all corps appointments, Mavis and Brian were equal partners in all aspects of their ministry. Mavis’ exceptional administrative skills came to the fore in her individual divisional and territorial appointments.

Our love and prayers along with our heartfelt sympathy covers Major Brian, Eleanor, Gillian, Geoffrey, and partners, together with their seven grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.

A celebration of Major Mavis’ life will be held on Friday 9 July at Waverley Temple Corps, conducted by Lieut-Colonel Stuart Reid.