A year or so later, in 1973, while I was still a
newbie Bahá’í in Perth, we’d hold firesides at
my place and friends would drop round. A
schoolgirl calledMarnieused to comeover to
learn about the Faith (her mother and step-
father later became Bahá’ís, but she didn’t).
One time, Marnie’s schoolmate, Greg Parker,
accompanied her to our place. He came to
tell us that wewere all heretics and going to
hell!Gregwasaround18thenandwasarather
scruffyyoungman, as I recall.
At that first meeting, Greg kept interrupting
thefireside, so IaskedWayneandLisaLindsay
totakehimasideforachatsothatthemeeting
could continue without disruption. By 2am,
most had left, but Greg was still hanging
aroundchatting.
I offered Greg the Bahá’í book, Thief in the
Night, butGreg said: “Idon’twant yourdamn
book”. I told him that I had to go to bed as I
needed to get up for work in three hours, so
he finally said: “Ah, giveme your damn book
then”and took ithomewithhim.
Thenext time I sawGreg, I gavehim aprayer
book and adeclaration card and toldhimnot
toworry toomuch about the card, but just to
hangon to it incasehe later felthemight like
to join thisFaith.
In those days, Perth was a small Bahá’í
community and we would frequently have
firesides at one another’s homes. We would
pick up interested friends from all parts
of Perth and drive them to and from these
firesides.
IdeclaredasaBahá’íon30thDec
1971 inOrange,NSW,andacouple
ofmonths latermoved toPerthwith
my three teenagechildren–Megan,
AdrianandRod–allofwhomhad
declaredbeforeme.
One evening, we held a fireside at Margaret
and JohnStone’splace. I thinkmysonsAdrian
and Rod were there, as well as Keith Oliver
and his father-in-law StanHaynes, who later
also became a Bahá’í. By this time, Greg had
been to a few firesides. I was working late
night shifts around this time and arrived a
little late.Gregsaid: “I’vegota lotofquestions
foryou tonight”.
At thatmeetingat theStone’splace, therewas
a chap I recognised– I knewhewas apatient
convalescing at Graylands Mental Hospital.
He was saying thing like: “Myer [department
store] are going to take over theworld”. Greg
didn’t realise this chapwas unwell andwent
off at him. Later on I asked Greg: “Where’s
your list?”Greg replied: “It’s in the car, but it’s
OK, I answered allmy own questions talking
to thatguy”.
A few weeks later, we had another night-
time fireside. Greg was all tidied up on
this occasion and wore a stripey blazer. He
mumbled: “I waited till you came home. I’ve
got something for you”. He thrust his signed
Bahá’í declaration card my way and said:
“Hereyouare”.
Greg’smum, Kathleenwas a staunchRoman
Catholic and she was at first horrified that
Greg had become a Bahá’í. They lived in
Willetton inthosedays.Gregstarted involving
hisbrotherRick inBahá’í gatherings andRick
alsodeclared in theFaitharoundayear later.
Even in those days, when I would close my
eyes, I’dvisualiseGregrunningwith this light/
flame inhishand togive tootherpeople... and
he’s remained thatwayever since.
WhenGreg first came into our life, we didn’t
know what a great talent he was. But I do
remember that Greg, Lisa and Paul Pearman
would travel and perform all over the place.
Wewereall likespiritualbandits inthosedays.
I’ve always loved Greg with sincerity and
constancy, even thoughwe haven’t seen each
other for longstretches. I thinkeveryone loves
Greg.
NolaHelman
