Highlighting Australia
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Entering the lounge room of Edward and Noel Broomhall’s flat in Haifa, was like stepping into Aladdin’s Cave.
Intriguing paintings and photographs of many different scenes adorned the walls. Suspended from the ceiling were exotic lamps probably from the bazaars of Turkey.
Balanced on coffee tables were books on fascinating subjects, some even of the pop-up variety. Collections of toys were piled up topsy-turvy in woven baskets. Models of mechanical people on shelves created tiny worlds of fun.
CDs of the latest music were set available to play. Racks of antique postcards kept visitors busy for ages. Weavings covered chairs. Persian carpets seemed to unite the whole colourful ensemble. Book shelves were full: novels, non-fiction, Baha’i books
And there, smiling in his arm chair, was collector-in-chief, Edward Broomhall. He would rise to lovingly hug his visitors, welcoming us into his extraordinary room.
Darling Edward, as we would call him out of his earshot, is now no doubt inhabiting some sort of oriental-Pacific paradise of a room in the Abha Kingdom.
Edward Mac James Broomhall, a world citizen from Australia, aged 79, passed away peacefully on – and how this symmetry would please him— 10/10/2020.
Even though I knew this death was coming because of a diagnosis about seven years ago, his absence is a continuing shock—not one that seems to fade with the minutes, hours and days.
The departure of this artist to “a pavilion of supreme mercy” feels like a fountain of love has left us, a super-talented human we felt so privileged to know, one who made us as individuals feel special, has been called to decorate some mystical world.
As a book conservator at the Baha’i World Centre in Haifa, Edward worked with original Baha’i scripture and commentary, conserving and creating archival housing for these written treasures so that they would be preserved for future generations.
An artist to his very core, Edward developed the arts relevant to that work after volunteering to serve in the Holy Land.
As one with a high degree in the teaching of art, Dr Broomhall, was learning different art forms until the end of his days in his home (another Aladdin’s cave) in the small, scenic city of Launceston, on the northern edge of the heart-shaped island of Tasmania.
Edward had grown up on a farm in Tasmania. An only child, and a prodigy, he showed interest in the arts from the beginning, and he kept his exercise books with his poems and drawings all his life.
Long before Australian men felt free to fully demonstrate their sensitive, artistic selves, Edward had no hesitation in proclaiming his love of ballet and then putting it into practice by learning that dance form. Later, as an adult, he would perform alongside his beloved wife, Noel, in amateur musicals produced to professional standards.
When my wife, Chris, and I were blessed at the weekends with the company of Edward and Noel as we drove to interesting places in the Holy Land, we could hardly wait for the trip home in the dark because it was then that the “singing Broomhalls”, huddled together in the backseat, would start crooning everything from show tunes, to ballads, to funny numbers harvested from their fertile memories.
Edward, who had taught Australian teachers how to teach art, was himself a student of all art forms. For example, he developed his skills in pottery and photography in the Holy Land, and etching when he returned home after nearly a decade in Israel. It became my habit at Haifa sales of art – weaving, pottery, paintings, sculpture and photographs– to hover near Edward, because he had an eagle eye for the best item on display. Maybe I could beat him to it. But his hand was quick and he had soon scooped up that funky pith helmet, that exquisite piece of porcelain, or a carved wooden walking stick we ordinary mortals had not spotted.
Edward and Noel who had three children of their own, were among the first Australians to adopt a baby from war-torn Vietnam, and another from South Korea. There were seven children altogether. It is likely that they also fostered children from impoverished families when they were Baha’i pioneers for years in Papua New Guinea.
Holding hands as they walked up to the Arc from their flat in Shifra Street, Edward and Noel—then in their youthful 60s– looked like youngsters in love, shouldering backpacks as colourful as their shoes.
Edward was not the type who constantly referred to the sacred Writings, though he was extremely encouraging of Baha’i authors, and probably read as much as the omnivorous reader that is Noel.
Edward had become a Baha’i in 1963, when there were only a few hundred Baha’is on the continent of Australia and only a handful in Tasmania. Somehow he embodied the very spirit of being a Baha’i. He taught the Baha’i Faith by possessing a pure, kindly and radiant heart.
How Edward managed his time was of great curiosity to others. He watched movies and TV shows, listened to the latest rock music, was a gourmet, read newspapers, kept up with great aunts and other relatives, and was active on Facebook. I doubt he was interested much in sport, although as a Renaissance man and polymath he probably knew more than I realised. He remembered via card or email every birthday of every friend.
I had only one request when my wife, Chris—a favourite friend of Edward’s—offered to obtain a birthday present from among the art works he had created. I chose his marvellous etching of a horse and rider inspired by a sculpture outside an art gallery in Sydney.
After his death, I gazed at that beautiful work of art. Then the right quotation, slightly amended, came to me. It’s one that I — and no doubt his friends around the world — want to shout out one starlit night to Edward above: “Mount your steed, O hero of God!”
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Wow!! VERY interesting.
Naomi (in El Salvador) (October 10, 2020 at 5:01 PM)
Dear Michael,
Thank you for your beautiful, descriptive memoir of Edward – full of the gems in the life and soul of this wonderful man.
Loving greetings,
Sue Bushnell (southern Tasmania)
Susan (October 10, 2020 at 8:45 PM)
I am glad it spoke to you, Sue. Thanks for letting me know.
Michael V Day (October 10, 2020 at 11:58 PM)
Thank you, Michael, for this delightful tribute to Edward. What a rich life he had, how colourful he was! I trust he and Ron are communing, reminiscing ……
with Baha’i love,
Christine Price
Christine Price (October 10, 2020 at 10:19 PM)
Eager Edward made the most of every minute, didn’t he? (Ron RIP!)
Michael V Day (October 10, 2020 at 5:58 AM)
Dear Michael, your succinct and beautiful tribute to Darling Edward has brought a smile to my face, thank you.
The funeral was tranquil and choreographed perfectly according to Edward’s precise instructions; the eulogy a precis of his own words; photomontage, a poignant set of memories that illustrated your tribute perfectly. Noel was sadly not well enough to attend and only 3 of their 7 children were able to be there due to Covid.Thank you again, Baha’i love.
Karel Fontaine (October 10, 2020 at 11:18 PM)
Thank you
Zeenat yaganegi Edwards (October 10, 2020 at 11:24 PM)
Enjoyed reading interesting life of DrDr.Broomhall
Thank you Mr. Day
Zeenat yaganegi edwards (October 10, 2020 at 11:30 PM)
Michael, Thank you, What a gift you have given us. Edward, Noel & I lived in 11 Shiffra building for the last 2.5 years of their stay & I would visit them numerous times for dinners, teas, goodbyes, etc. Edward was & Noel is such humble souls. I learned of Edward’s incredible talents & profession from one of the Haifa doctors originally from Australia & learned Edward was a national treasure. If Edward or Noel were working and would share their projects with me, I knew instinctively it was a special moment in time. I was mesmerized when Edward shared one of his unbelievable complex fold out books he had hand crafted, created, bound etc. I found no words for such an intricate flawless piece of art – just the delight of pure awe. Again Thank you Michael again for the cherished additional details. Linda 1995-2011
Linda Bishop (October 10, 2020 at 11:42 PM)
Thank you Michael for that wonderful tribute to Edward, many remembered times spent with the Broomhalls both in Tasmania and the Holy Land. I have a glass present given to me from them which is a very special reminder of our time at the World Center. Some people touch your life in special ways he and Noel were up there with the best of them.
Betty Scrine (October 10, 2020 at 12:13 AM)
Doug and I were swimming in memories as we read your amazing tribute to a devoted and wonderful man that was Edward.
We take a few moments to thank you yourself for your captivating trilogy – such a wonderful historical story of the Shrine on Mt Carmel.
Hassanah (October 10, 2020 at 12:50 AM)
Thank you, Hassanah for your kind words. In fact, they remind me of how supportive Edward was of my books.
Michael V Day (October 10, 2020 at 6:12 AM)
Thank you Michael for the loving tribute to my father Edward, he would be so very humbled by your kind words and thoughts.
Dad has left us with such a great legacy of love and human kindness, our family has been blessed to have had a wonderful father and husband to our Mummy.
Missing you every moment ❤❤❤
Your loving daughter.
Lou.
Lou Dowling (October 10, 2020 at 7:00 AM)
My condolences,Lou.He so loved his children. It was privilege merely to meet Edward, let alone write a tribute to him. Thanks for adding to it.
Michael V Day (October 10, 2020 at 11:46 PM)
Thanks Michael, I was lucky to visit Edward & Noel’s Aladdin’s Cave in Haifa and you perfectly describe the experience. A wonderfully special couple.
Alan Keane (October 10, 2020 at 9:39 AM)
How fortunate we were to be taken into that magical world! Thanks, Alan.
Michael V Day (October 10, 2020 at 11:47 PM)
What a beautiful tribute! I didn’t know Edward Broomhall but you’ve certainly brought him to life for me. Thank you!
Thelma Batchelor (October 10, 2020 at 12:12 PM)
I am so glad, Thelma.
Michael V Day (October 10, 2020 at 11:47 PM)
Thank you Michael! Your vivid descriptions bring back so many fond memories of our cherished friend, Edward, and his beloved Noel! How blessed we are to have been touched by his pure and divinely inspired soul.
Missy Martin (October 10, 2020 at 3:46 AM)
Thanks, Missy. Yes, even now it is hard to realise that the unique, loving creative person that was Edward is no longer physically with us.
Michael V Day (November 11, 2020 at 12:53 AM)
Michael, thank you for writing this moving tribute to Edward. Edward and Noel were kind, talented, live life to the full people. I have so many fond memories of them and their children. I attended the small school Noel ran, for a number of years, and we’d visit Ed’s art studio and do painting. Visiting their house was amazing, as there were so many interesting things to do and read – Phantom Comics! Colourful felt tip pens to draw with and plenty of paper on hand, and interesting art and photographs of the wall. But also a space for interesting people and for the Baha’i community to meet. Ten years back I was able to catch up with them again and thank them for the role they played in my early life, and their love for my family. I realise a lot of my love for art and creativity was fostered by time spent with Ed and his children. And there are also memories of summer schools, and youth camps, and picnics we played cricket at with the Broomhalls, and also the Starks and Davidsons. Ed and Noel were loyal and loving friends, who never judged others and who were for many years dedicated to – community radio, theatre and in Noel’s case sport! and many more things. The number of tributes to them both online have been amazing and testament to this. To any of his children reading this, thank you for being part of my childhood and hope to catch up with you all again one day soon. And to Ed in the Abha Kingdom, what an inspiration to your family, community and fellow creatives you have been and if you can hear my prayers and see all these tributes we write in your memory please give my love to all our friends there, like Ron Price, Eve and Dagmar and my brother.
June Perkins (November 11, 2020 at 12:19 AM)
June Perkins, thank you for your personal memories. Perfect! Anna was dressed in her finery at the funeral service, and Big Paul and Little Paul were there too.
God bless you June.
Karel Fontaine &
Erin O’Connor
Karel fontaine (November 11, 2020 at 5:24 AM)
Michael, I have only just read your moving and loving comments to our beautiful Edward and our beautiful Noel. My husband Michael and I met Edward in Burnie in 1966, a long time ago and so we have so many beautiful memories of them both and their children. Last week my son Adam, a nurse at Calvary rang me to say he had been surprised to look up at the large tv screen in the canteen to see Edward and Noel’s smiling faces. The documentary was filmed approximately 4/5 years ago and Edward even though he has left us is still teaching the Bahai Faith. I will send the link, it is beautiful to watch.
https://.iamliving.org.au/stories/
Kathy Mason (September 9, 2023 at 10:11 AM)