Forster Film Festival

Thirty-seven direct Australian descendants of Joseph Smith, founder of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, gathered in Sydney over Australia’s Father’s Day weekend (September 2-4) to honour their famous forefather in a celebration of his birth 200 years ago. Five of their American cousins also attended the reunion. They were Michael Kennedy and his wife Darcy, their son Mike and his wife Meagan and Michael Kennedy’s mother Virginia.
Mr. Kennedy, the President of the Joseph Smith Junior Family Organization, contacted Lionel and Marianne Walters, volunteer public affairs representatives for the Church in Australia. They formed a local reunion committee to plan and implement the event. Robyn Mah, the great, great, great granddaughter of Joseph and Emma Smith, became the co-chair of the committee. She quickly helped to involve the other Australian cousins in this historic reunion. Robyn’s family line descends through Joseph and Emma’s son, Alexander Hale Smith. Alexander’s daughter, Ina Inez Smith, married an Australian, Sidney Garden Wright. They immigrated to Australia, had ten children and were pioneers in the Forster/Tuncurry area of New South Wales.
Some of the committee members travelled to the Forster/Tuncurry area of New South Wales to meet with family members. Here they met Robyn’s mother June Wright, who is the wife of Max Wright, a direct descendant of Joseph Smith. June has kept marvellous records of the family and this made it possible to blend what the Joseph Smith Junior Family Organization already had in order to compile a more accurate genealogical record.
We were in Melbourne for the showing of Emma and performance of the Nashville Tribute Band so we travelled to Forster on the long weekend to take part in the film festival and band performance.
We are not real country music fans but the music was compelling as it was centered around the prophet, Joseph Smith and his wife, Emma.
We enjoyed meeting Michael Kennedy who produced the movie and his wife and son. We enjoyed the film. It made us appreciate Emma's struggles so much more. The actress who played Julia in the film was also with the group.
On Sunday morning we all attended the Community of Christ church in Tuncurry. Tuncurry is located across the bridge from Forster. There were 12 members of the congregation in attendance and 8 members of the LDS Church. Brian Entwhistle, the assistant pastor, gave a short sermon. Two women blessed and passed the Sacrament. The meeting lasted one hour.
Nashville Tribute Band.
Clint Warby doing his Public Affairs thing.
Forster Film Festival venue. Movie was shown in red brick building at the base of the harbour control tower.
Country singer with the group.
Black bird competition with the band.
Brian Entwhistle, assistant pastor, Jay
Michael and Darcy Kennedy, 3rd Great Grandson of Joseph Smith and President of the Joseph Smith Junior Family Organization.
Brother Bailey, new Sydney Temple President, Jay, Michael Kennedy, Clint Warby, Brother Brown.
Brother Bailey's car. Very cool. Even the seats and steering wheel are color coordinated. He is the 2nd richest member of the Church in Australia.
Michael Kennedy's name tag.
Oldroyds and Warbys at the Community of Christ church in Tuncurry (Forster).
Symbol of the church.

Congregation and visitors outside the church.