The leadlight windows shown below were specifically designed and constructed for the previous headquarters building of St John Ambulance Australia in Canberra, and were installed in 1992. The following explanation is taken from the Priory Annual Report 1992:
“…In early December the Prior came to Headquarters to receive formally, at a most pleasant ceremony, the stained glass windows which had been installed in the foyer through the generosity of many well-wishers. These windows, through the artistry of the designer, Pel Fesq, have added greatly to the ambience that greets visitors to the headquarters of St John in Australia. Although individuals from all States made their contributions to this project, special recognition must be given to its facilitator, Dr George Killen, and those others from St John in New South Wales who developed the idea for this initiative and did so much of the hard work to make it a reality.”
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- in 1992, the Prior (and Governor-General) was Bill Hayden KStJ.
- Dr George Killen KStJ (1925-1998) was NSW Commissioner from 1980 to 1986.
Apparently, the idea came after a Christmas card was received from the Chancellor of the Order of St John in Canada. The card showed a splendid stained glass window from the Canadian Priory Headquarters. Many recipients of this card agreed that Canberra should have stained glass windows. (St John History 2007-2008, vol 7, p.58)
The artist, Pel Fesq, is a leadlight and stained-glass artist still practising in Berry, New South Wales.
Through the use of floral emblems, the 11 windows represent:
- the Commonwealth of Australia
- each of the 8 Australian states and territories
- the Order of St John
- Dr James Neild, the ‘founding father’ of St John in Australia
In the current Australian Office of St John, the windows are featured in an attractive back-lit wall display.
Click on each image for a closer look.
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| Golden Wattle (Acacia pycnantha) Commonwealth of Australia | Royal Bluebell (Wahlenbergia gloriosa) Australian Capital Territory | Waratah (Telopea speciosissima) New South Wales | Sturt’s Desert Rose (Gossypium sturtianum) Northern Territory |
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| Cooktown Orchid (Vappodes phalaenopsis) Queensland | Sturt’s Desert Pea (Swainsona formosa) South Australia | Southern Blue Gum (Eucalyptus globulus) Tasmania | Pink Heath (Epacris impressa) Victoria |
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| Mangle’s Kangaroo Paw (Anigozanthos manglesii) Western Australia | Neild’s Scented Myrtle (Darwinia neildiana) Named for JE Neild, ‘founding father’ of St John Ambulance in Australia | St John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum) Order of St John |