Farewell to President Maurer

President and Sister Maurer were released from their mission on 30 June 2010. A huge farewell in their honor was held at the Dianella Stake Center on Saturday night, the 26th. The cultural hall was filled to overflowing, with many who wished to bid farewell to the Maurer family. First, an assigned potluck dinner for the hundreds gathered was provided, with each balancing their feast on their laps. As soon as all were fed, the festivities began with a Polynesian theme. Their great love for the Maurer family was felt with the evident preparations made for the evening. 

It was an impressive three hour celebration, with many hugs and tears. They were sad to see their Australia born Mission President and family leave for their home in Brisbane, Australia.


The following Wednesday, 30 June 2010, all the missionaries, except those requiring airline flights to get to Perth, gathered to say their goodbyes to the Maurers. A chili lunch was provided by the office staff (meaning Sister Nielsen also had to prepare a huge pot of Krista’s chili recipe). It was quickly consumed by the hungry missionaries.

A huge cake was prepared by Elder Anderson in the shape of the Australia Perth Mission with flags representing its multicultural make-up. (When walking through the local malls, you might think you are at an international airport. There are many, many nations represented.) President Maurer became very emotional when the cake was presented to him and his wife.

Another memento presented to the Maurers was a mosaic of John the Baptist baptizing Jesus. The mosaic was made up of photographs of each of the missionaries who served under President Maurer’s three year leadership.

Prior to President and Sister Maurer’s departure, the Mission Office Staff (Elder and Sister Crawford, Elder and Sister Nielsen, Sister Matuauto and Sister Kruger) gathered for a group photo one last time.

The following day, the mantel of authority passed to President Paul L. Cahoon, assisted by his wife Tanya.

They are from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, where President Cahoon had been a bishop, and by profession is a dentist. They are the parents of four children.