The Chairperson of the Presbytery oversees the work and witness of the Presbytery as a whole, its governance, and its gatherings. This involves, especially, chairing the Standing Committee and full meetings of the Presbytery in order to help the congregations and their ministers, chaplaincies, and wider ministries flourish. The Chairperson is also in the first place responsible to conduct inductions, ordinations, commissioning services, and closure of ministry services. The chairperson may also represent the Presbytery at various other meetings/gatherings of the wider church. The Chairperson sits ex officio on all committees of the Presbytery and offers strategic leadership through all the various responsibilities of the office. The Chairperson also receives and manages complaints made under Reg. 5.4.1.
As Secretary of the Presbytery, Arthur ensures that all actions supporting the governance process of the Presbytery are performed to the highest level of professional standard and integrity. He oversees the administrative servicing requirements of the Presbytery and its Standing Committee, acts as custodian of Presbytery records, furnishes information and reports to the Synod and Assembly and deals with property, disciplinary and other matters in accordance with the UCA Regulations. A member of Nowra UCA congregation, Arthur has served as Church Council Chairperson and currently serves as the Nowra Administrator, Safe Church and Privacy Officer and Newsletter editor.
As Presbytery Treasurer, Ross works with Standing Committee, Presbytery Property and Finance Committee and all congregations to provides strategic oversight of finances, maximise financial opportunities, prepare the annual budgets, inform committees of changes to financial and legal regulations and attend to tax responsibilities.
Ross is a current member of Synod Standing Committee.
Ross has enjoyed a long career in the Australian steel industry moving from senior accounting to Executive Management roles, managing budgets of $300 million per annum.
In his spare time Ross volunteers for Samaritans Purse and his current role is Logistics Coordinator for NSW.
Contact: Admin.ip@nswact.uca.org.au
Phone: 0491185320
Responsible for Presbytery communications, Vi connects people and congregations throughout the Presbytery. She also provides congregations with tools to assist in building and volunteer compliance. Vi supports all Presbytery committees and organises Presbytery events, courses, and training.
As the Presbytery Minister - Vital Ministry, Grant’s role is focussed around the work of the Pastoral Relations Committee and resourcing of formation and education for ministry. This includes support of Ministers in ministry in the congregations of the Presbytery and assist Congregations as needed in the ministry that they offer. He is a link for Congregations to the Presbytery, Synod and Assembly. He ministers alongside the Presbytery Minister - Mission to assist the Presbytery in its work and the strategic directions and oversight of congregations. It is a role that is sometimes described as being the minister to the ministers of the Illawarra Presbytery.
As the Presbytery Minister - Mission, Matt’s role focuses on encouraging and equipping congregations in their mission. This includes strategic vision, community engagement, developing mission plans, strategic thinking, new ways of being church and looking at how property and finance can sustain mission. He is a link for Congregations to the Presbytery, Synod and Assembly. He is also a contact around issues of compliance and governance. He ministers alongside the Presbytery Minister – Vital Ministry to assist the Presbytery in its work and the strategic directions and oversight of congregations.
Doo Ah Leeming, the Illawarra’s Tertiary Minister, offers support and spiritual guidance to students and staff at the University of Wollongong. On campus, Doo Ah offers a weekly Wellbeing service. Meditation and Bible Study.
She runs a mentoring program with a retired HR Manager from BHP.
She is a founder of the COMPASS Club (C: Culture, O: Oneness, M: Meditation, P: Pointing to Wellbeing, A: Acceptance, S: Social Wellbeing, S: Spiritual Wellbeing) within the University Clubs.
Under the umbrella of COMPASS Club, two mission workers, Jacob and Shelly work with Doo Ah as a team ministry. Jacob runs singing class and Korean language class. Shelly runs Yoga class and Chinese language class.
These Club activities are the foundation to build a relationship and trust with students.
Doo Ah reaches out to the students and has a great opportunity to introduce Uniting Church Ethos.
Doo Ah is working with Keiraview Uniting Church Young adults.
She invites students and local people to monthly community dinner at Keiraview Church.
Doo Ah's vision is to spread the love of Christ to new generation.
Purpose of UOW ministry is mentoring and discipleship.
Romans 10:15 “How beautiful are the feet of the messengers who announce the Good News.”
Link to UoW Uniting Chaplain Facebook
Michael has many years of experience in Illawarra Presbytery including as the former Presbytery Chairperson, former convenor of Presbytery Strategic Mission Committee and as a member of PRC for the last 7 years. He has previously lectured at UTC in the areas of ordination and ethics, has been a UCA Congregational Minister since 2008, and has a strong sense of the theology of ordination and ministry, of UCA theology, processes, Regulations and Policy.
The PRC gives counsel on ministry and pastoral relationships for Ministers, Lay Pastors, Youth Workers, Community Ministers, Pastors and Congregations. As Committee Chair, Michael oversees the Committee to support people in these roles, encouraging the enrichment and fulfillment of their ministries.
As Chair of the PF&PC, Andrew oversees and offers advice and counsel to congregations and church councils to fulfil their mission with regard to property and finances. Under Andrew’s leadership, the PF&PC ensures that appropriate policies and procedures are in place for the effective management of Presbytery property.
An active member of Illawarra Presbytery for many years, Meredith has served on all Presbytery Committees and has attended Synod 2021 and 2023. An authorised Lay Preacher and Lay Presider, Meredith has qualifications and experience in theology, education, leadership and management.
Currently undertaking a PhD research project examining the effects of leadership and governance and capability to support local congregations within the UCA, Meredith brings sound knowledge of the workings of the UCA and an understanding of the demands and issues related to being an interconciliary church.
Facilitating Training and Education for lay and ordained members of Illawarra Presbytery that empowers mission, ministry and discipleship; supports governance and compliance; and arranges activities required for ministers. The Committee works with congregations to increase ability across the Presbytery to host and connect to training, education and compliance courses. Committee Chair, Cathie Cochrane is qualified with BA Dip Ed, Grad Dip Th, M Th; and Adv. Dip Business & Leadership as well as other qualifications in Indigenous Health, Asian Studies and Pastoral Care Aging.
Cathie has a heart to enable each member of Presbytery to have access to relevant training and education and encourages others to offer their gifts and skills where relevant.