Clara Dunn
A nationwide series of events this month will mark the 50th anniversary of the passing of a woman who made a significant contribution to Australian religious history in general and to the Australian Baha’i Community in particular.
Clara Dunn (1869-1960) introduced the Baha’i Faith to Australia in 1920 with her husband, Hyde Dunn (1855-1941).
An historian of the Australian Baha’i Community, Graham Hassall, said that Clara Dunn was “an historic and exceptionally intriguing figure”.
“She was one of those rare individuals who can be identified as the first to bring an independent world religion to a continent,” said Associate Professor Hassall, of Victoria University in New Zealand.
Clara Dunn’s pioneering work is also of special interest because she took a leading role at a time when women were far less prominent than men as innovators in religious thought and practice in Australia, Professor Hassall said.
From just two Baha’is 90 years ago, the Australian Baha’i Community has become a thriving religious community, present in all States and Territories and in virtually all towns and regional areas.
National event
A national event will be held at the University of New South Wales on 13 November, where Baha’is who knew Clara Dunn will recount their memories of her. The keynote speakers will be prominent Australian Baha’is Dr Peter Khan and Dr Janet Khan.
The following day, a memorial service will be held at the Baha’i House of Worship in Sydney to commemorate the life and service of Mrs Dunn.
Four days later, on the anniversary of her passing, there will be a devotional event at the grave of Mr and Mrs Dunn in Sydney.
Baha’i communities in every State and Territory will also commemorate the anniversary by arranging a variety of functions and activities, and by dedicating services they provide to the wider community to Clara Dunn’s memory.
Spiritual qualities
Clara Dunn devoted herself to nurturing individuals, fostering Baha’i communities, and public speaking.
She educated the early Australian Baha’is about the unique democratic administrative system of the Faith, leading to the establishment of local governing councils and the election, in 1934, of the first National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of Australia and New Zealand.
Clara Dunn’s spiritual qualities were recognised by the then Head of the Faith, Shoghi Effendi (1899-1957), when he appointed her in 1952 as a “Hand of the Cause of God”.
Mr Dunn received the same honour, bestowed on only fifty Baha’is worldwide who played a special role in inspiring and advising the Baha’i community.