Major Jim Weymouth retires after 41 years of influential service
Major Jim Weymouth retires after 41 years of influential service
17 January 2017
Major Jim Weymouth (with his wife, Major Marion Weymouth) was recently honoured at a retirement celebration at Catherine Booth College in Melbourne.
After 41 years of service, Major Jim Weymouth celebrated his retirement at Catherine Booth College in Melbourne with more than 85 friends, family and colleagues, who recounted his great influence on the Australian and international Salvation Army.
The Director at the School for Learning and Development since 2012, Major Weymouth was integral to the development of the new college, and is the only officer to also reside at both former campuses in Parkville and East Melbourne.
Secretary for Personnel Lieutenant Colonel Vivien Callander opened the retirement service on Tuesday 10 January, recalling her first meeting with Major Weymouth as a member of the youth group at Adelaide Congress Hall in 1969.
“We recognise that it has been a diverse journey for you, in your personal life and in the school,” she said. “We recognise God’s great call and grace and provision and we thank God for your contribution to our lives.”
Formerly working as a teacher, and with degrees in economics, psychology, business, education, and theology, Major Weymouth’s passion for education and learning was celebrated by Training Principal and Chair of Catherine Booth College, Major Greg Morgan.
Speaking on behalf of his fellow officers, Major Morgan called him a “grandparent of Catherine Booth College”. He spoke of Major Weymouth’s legacy, saying, “You’ve provided a fine example for us to emulate.”
Major Weymouth spent 29 years working in officer education and training, 21 years as a major, and 14 years serving in overseas appointments – first at the Chikankata School in Zambia between 1978-1985, and later, between 2005-2012, as the Educational Service Secretary at Hong Kong and Macaw then the Training Principal in Zambia.
Joking that Major Weymouth may want to add two days to his service in order to mark exactly 41 years since his commissioning as part of the 1974 Soldiers of the Cross session, he said, “Jim has not only been a gift to The Salvation Army in Australia, but a gift to The Salvation Army around the world.”
Learning and Development consultant Janelle Murley then spoke on behalf of Major Weymouth’s colleagues, noting his significant contribution to the updated candidate appraisal system, procedures in the both the southern and eastern territories, and changes to be implemented with Australia One.
On presentation of his certificate of retirement, Major Callander spoke on behalf of Chief Secretary in Charge of the Australia Southern Territory, Colonel Graeme Rigley, who said, “It is recognised that your service in a variety of appointments has impacted many lives for the Kingdom. Through the significant challenges of ministry and life experiences you have proved God’s faithfulness, his blessing and his provision in many ways.”
Thanking his friends and family for coming, Major Weymouth spoke with wit and enthusiasm about his years of service. Crediting his wife, Major Marion Weymouth, with whom he celebrates his 40th wedding anniversary this week, he expressed thanks for her love and dedication.
Speaking fondly of his time as an officer, he spoke of God’s great work in the Army. “If God is in every word that has been spoken ... then God is in everything,” he said.
Major Weymouth is retiring to the outer suburbs of Geelong, where he looks forward to spending more time with his children and four great-grandchildren.
Comments
Although rthe news is amost three years old, I only saw it now. How nice to read about you Jim! We were working together in Chikankata, Zambia between 1979 and 1981 at a fine school. Enjoy your retirement!