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I recently had the privilege of holding the same coin, well at least one that dates to the same period. The discovery of the genuine Roman-minted coin, referred to as the "widow's mite," came at the pool of Bethesda after excavations in 1934.

So, how did I come to hold a 2000-year-old coin? Simple, I visited the Adventist Heritage Centre, whose curator, Rose-lee Power, bought it to my attention. The centre, located in a single room of the Avondale College library's Jeremic Wing, is the official heritage centre of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the South Pacific.

The "widow's mite" may be the oldest artefact in the centre, but there are many other priceless memories in the extensive collections. And extensive is the right word. The centre, opened in 1977, has more than 1000 document boxes. Each consists of church records, diaries, notes, personal letters, publications and other miscellaneous items. It also boasts more than 2000 audio recordings and books. The collection is growing at 35 linear metres a year, providing fertile research for anyone interested in the work and lives of past Adventists. However, due to privacy laws, some of the material is restricted.

Ms Power attributes most of the centre's growth to donations from families and institutions. However, you could play a role, too. Ms Power's advice is to think twice before throwing something out. You may just hold the missing piece that would help further define the work and lives of Adventists throughout the South Pacific. "Often it's that one, little piece, which may be very valuable to us," says Ms Power.

If you have any information that may help form part of our Adventist heritage, Ms Power would like to hear from you. Email heritage@avondale.edu.au or phone +61 2 4980 2313.

By Stephane Millien, a second-year communication and English major at Avondale College.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adventist Heritage Centre curator Rose-lee Power holds the "widow's mite," the oldest artefact in the centre's growing collections.

Photograph credit: Gilmore Tanabose

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