For quite a few years now I have collaborated with Messrs. Richard d’Apice, AM, KCSG, AIH and Sandy Turnbull on a small committee called the “Ecclesiastical Working Party” under the auspices of the Australian Heraldry Society. Together, we have created coats of arms for dioceses and bishops in Australia, and also in some other countries in the Pacific region, since some time around 2011.

Mr. d’Apice acts as the corresponding secretary, as it were, for the group. He is the point of contact and communication for the client with the group. In addition, an enthusiastic heraldist for much of his life, he has input into the designs we propose. That’s where I come in. Frequently I act as the consultant on the design either by proposing a different alternative to that of Mr. d’Apice; or by making suggestions to enhance or “tweak” his proposal. Together, we are able to reach consensus and present a single proposed design to the client. This, in turn, is still often modified further as the process continues. I also assist with the composition of the blazon.

For the artwork, we hand off to the talents of Mr. Turnbull. Occasionally, I might provide a sketch merely to illustrate the proposal or one of my suggestions. But, the initial draft as well as the final artwork is provided by Sandy.

He surprised me not long ago. After years of collaboration on numerous coats of arms he created a rendering in his own style of my armorial bearings and presented it to me. I’m very pleased with it and I’m happy to share it with you now.

For those not already familiar with it the blazon is:

Or, a Greek cross fleury; a chief sapiné Vert.

The line of fir trees suggests my surname, Selvester (originally Silvestri and later anglicized after emigrating to the U.S.) which means a forest dweller, or woodsman. It represents my paternal Italian heritage. The colors green and gold allude to my maternal Irish ancestry. The red cross of faith is the single charge but its arms terminate in fleurs-de-lis as symbolic of both Our Lady and the Blessed Trinity. The motto is a pun on my given name, Guy, which means “a guide”. The shield is ensigned with the galero of a priest.

It’s always nice to have one’s coat of arms rendered by different artists in their own distinctive style. I am especially pleased with this one.