Catherine Hamlin Park dedicated

From the latest Hamlin Fistula Australia newsletter (Christmas 2026, page 4) –

“When Dr Catherine Hamlin was a child, she lived in a large home with a beautiful garden in the Ryde area of Sydney.

The memories of that idyllic garden went with her to Ethiopia where she planted a beautiful garden at her own home in Addis Ababa. Walking in that garden, often accompanied by her friend Mamitu was one of the great joys of her life.

Now, the City of Ryde has built Catherine Hamlin Park, a $10.4 million project in the heart of Macquarie Park. It was officially opened on 19 October 2026, providing a much- needed oasis in one of Sydney’s fastest-growing precincts. …”

– Download the PDF file here, from the Hamlin Fistula Australia website.

Who was Dr Catherine Hamlin (1924–2020)?
Russell Powell wrote this tribute at SydneyAnglicans.net in March 2020 –

“World-renowned Christian obstetrician and gynaecologist, Dr Catherine Hamlin AC has passed away at her home in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia at the age of 96.

Dr Hamlin, together with her husband, the late Dr Reg Hamlin OBE, created a network of treatment centres for women suffering from obstetric fistula. The crippling condition results from complications in childbirth and leads to social isolation in poor African communities. …”

– “A woman of profound faith who has left an indelible mark upon modern medicine”

See also:

Catherine Hamlin Park – John Holland Group.

New Ryde park named after inspirational local doctor – City of Ryde.

Bishop Mark Calder to be BCA President from 2027

Some news from The Bush Church Aid Society –

“As we head rapidly towards the end of the year, there are some changes to the BCA community to let you know about for 2027. …”

– Changes to the BCA Community for 2027 – Greg Harris, BCA National Director, shared these updates last month.

The good news in Eagle Vale: Interview with Steve Thurgar

An encouraging interview from The Australian Church Record –

“Eagle Vale Anglican Church is a small but gradually growing church in the Campbelltown area of Southwest Sydney. It’s a lot like many areas in the Southwest. There is a mix of working-class people and those with professional qualifications. There is also a significant number of people with various social and economic challenges. It’s also an area that is ethnically diverse with an increasing population of South Asians and Muslims.

The ministry opportunities are huge! The Lord Jesus said that the harvest is plentiful (Matt 9:37), and this is certainly true in Eagle Vale. Sadly, the second half of Matthew 9:37 is also true: the workers are few. …”

– Read it all here.

Well done, good and faithful servant

At SydneyAnglicans.net, Bishop Glenn Davies writes –

“I was privileged to preach at the funeral of Mrs Veda van Louwersen at Stephen’s, Willoughby in August – she was 103 years of age. Veda taught Scripture, now known as Special Religious Education (SRE), at Willoughby Public and Willoughby Girls’ High School for more than 50 years.”

– Read it all here.

Giving thanks for Daniel Willis

From Gafcon:

“The Global Anglican Communion gives thanks to God for the life and faithful ministry of the Revd Canon Daniel Lawrence Willis, who went to be with the Lord on 26 October 2026, aged 72.

Daniel served as the Conference Director for GAFCON III in Jerusalem in 2018, bringing together nearly 2,000 Anglican leaders and delegates from around the world for a historic gathering. His exceptional organisational abilities, strategic insight and commitment to the gospel made an invaluable contribution to the success of that conference.

In March 2020, Daniel commenced his role as Gafcon’s Global Operations Manager, serving until his retirement in 2024. During these years, he provided dedicated service to the Global Secretariat, navigating the considerable challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic while supporting the growing fellowship of orthodox Anglicans around the world. He also played a significant role in the preparations for GAFCON IV in Kigali, Rwanda, in 2023.

Daniel will be remembered for his faithful service to Christ, his considerable organisational and strategic gifts, and his deep commitment to the proclamation of the gospel of Jesus Christ among the nations.

We extend our heartfelt condolences to Daniel’s wife, Karen, their children Bec, Flick and Josh, and their seven grandchildren. Please join us in giving thanks to God for Daniel’s life and ministry, and in praying that his family will know the comfort and certain hope of the resurrection through our Lord Jesus Christ.

‘Well done, good and faithful servant.’ (Matthew 25:21).”

– From Gafcon’s Facebook page.

In addition to all that’s outlined above, we give much thanks to the Lord for Daniel’s many years of ministry in Sydney, including at Frenchs Forest, the Cathedral, and with the Bible Society, as well as on the ACL’s Council.

Bathurst Diocese news — Appointment for the Parish of Blayney

The latest good news from the Diocese of Bathurst serves as a reminder to continue in prayer for gospel ministry across that large area of NSW.

From Archdeacon Andrew Thornhill, Diocesan Administrator –

“It is with gratitude to God that I advise that today in the parish of Blayney it is being announced that the Rev’d Julian Yin is to commence as their Deacon in Charge in late January / early February 2027. …

Julian first approached the diocese back in August, aware of the needs in our diocese including the opportunity in Blayney, to faithfully proclaim the Gospel to encourage God’s church and bring more people to Christ.

Our existing partnership with The Bridge Church (Rector Paul Dale has regularly provided Bible teaching for us including at this year’s diocesan camp; and we’ve been blessed by ministry workers sent to coordinate children and youth programs at a number of our diocesan camps) helped facilitate the parish’s discernment of Julian, and we’re so grateful to the continued Gospel partnership with The Bridge Church who are generously supporting the Yins’s ministry. …”

– Read the full announcement here.

Anglican Heroes: Handley Moule — Church Society podcast

From Church Society:

“Rob Brewis tells Ros Clarke about the life, work and ongoing influence of Anglican pastor and theologian, Handley Moule.”

– Listen here.

Funeral Service for Bruce Baird AM at St Andrew’s Cathedral

The  Funeral Service for the Hon. Bruce Baird AM was held at St Andrew’s Cathedral in Sydney this afternoon (Monday 12th October 2026).

The service was introduced by Archbishop Kanishka Raffel and led by Bruce Clarke, the Rector of St. Matthew’s Manly, where Bruce Baird was a long time member.

Simon Smart, family friend and Executive Director of the Centre for Public Christianity, preached. Speaking from John chapter 11 (the raising of Lazarus), he said,

“Bruce Baird was a lifelong churchgoing man of Christian faith, trusting himself to that life. So much of Bruce’s life was animated by and shaped by his faith.”

– A recording of the full service can be seen here. (The sermon begins at 1:03:10.)

Matt Brain elected Bishop of Bunbury

Bishop of Bendigo, Bishop Matt Brain, has been elected Bishop of Bunbury in Western Australia.

In a message today to the people of the Diocese of Bunbury, Archdeacon and Administrator of the Diocese the Ven. Geoff Chadwick writes  –

“Dear all,

No doubt you have been waiting to know who has been elected as our next Bishop.

It is my pleasure to announce that it is The Very Rev Dr Matthew Brain. He comes to us from the Diocese of Bendigo having previously been the Assistant Bishop of Canberra/Goulburn, Rector of Kambah and the Diocesan Youth Minister and Rector of Kalbarri.

He has experience in ministry training and development.

He is married to Rachael and has five adult children.

His other interests include cycling and he takes pleasure in playing the guitar.

I can assure you that we in the Diocesan Office will do all that we can to make him and Rachael welcome.

The date of his installation will be decided in due course.

May I also advise you not to contact him until he is installed. He will have much to do in Bendigo as he navigates his departure.

I look forward to working with him as we discover where God is leading the Diocese Please pray for him, his wife Rachael and the Diocesan team during this time of transition.

With Blessings.

Geoff

Archdeacon and Administrator.”

See also this pastoral letter from Bishop Brain to the Diocese of Bendigo. (PDF file.)

Top photo from the August 2026 issue of The Spirit from the Diocese of Bendigo.

Earlier:

Four Australian dioceses pray for wisdom in seeking new leaders – 03 September 2026. Now add prayers for Bendigo.

“What does a bishop do?”

From SydneyAnglicans.net –

“Hundreds gathered to farewell Bishop Peter Hayward and his wife Julie at Figtree Anglican Church in Wollongong as tributes praised his faithful pastoral leadership and unwavering commitment to God’s people. …”

– Report from Russell Powell.

Archbishop Raffel announces key ministry appointment

“The Rev Caroline Litchfield has been appointed Archdeacon for the Ministry of Women in the Diocese of Sydney, bringing more than two decades of ministry experience to a role supporting hundreds of women serving across churches and diocesan organisations.

‘This is a key role encouraging and promoting the ministry of women in our diocese,’ said Archbishop Raffel in making the announcement. …”

– Story from Russell Powell at SydneyAnglicans.net.

Moses Tay, 7th Bishop of Singapore, called home to the Lord at age 88

From Salt&Light in Singapore –

“Right Reverend Dr Moses Tay Leng Kong, the seventh Bishop of Singapore and the first Archbishop of the Province of Anglican Church in South East Asia, was called home to the Lord on the night of September 24. He was 88.

He is survived by his wife of four decades, Cynthia, two children, six grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Bishop Moses served as Bishop of Singapore from 1982 to 1999, a period that saw significant growth and change in the Singapore Anglican Church.

In 1996, he also became the first Archbishop of the newly formed Province of South East Asia, which brought together the dioceses of Singapore, West Malaysia, Kuching and Sabah. …”

– Read the full tribute by Gracie Lee.

Long-term readers will well remember Bishop Tay’s key role, along with Archbishop Emmanuel Kolini of Rwanda and two other bishops, in consecrating two American Episcopal clergymen, John Rodgers and Chuck Murphy in January 2000.

For some background on that, see:

Vale Bishop Chuck Murphy – 24 January 2018.

Moses Tay: A Prophet confronts Lambeth Pragmatism – Charles Raven, January 2010.

and material migrated from our old website –

Kampala Statement November 1999 and the Tay and Kolini Letter January 2000 in our Reference Documents and Press Releases section.

Dr. Stephen Carnaby elected 12th Bishop of Bathurst

From Archdeacon Andrew Thornhill, Administrator for the Diocese of Bathurst –

“It is with joyful gratitude to God that I announce the Venerable Dr. Stephen Carnaby has accepted the diocesan Bishop Election Board’s invitation to be the 12 Bishop of Bathurst.

We firmly believe that Stephen will help lead our diocese faithfully, courageously, and joyfully into the years ahead.  …

He served in ordained ministry across churches in regional Tasmania and Hobart for 18 years, with his experience including church revitalisation, planting new congregations, children’s, youth and families’ ministry, and general pastoral work.

For the past nine years he has been the Director of Ministry Development [in the Diocese of Tasmania], working closely with the Bishop and overseeing diocesan training, raising up leaders, supporting and resourcing churches, and other efforts to fulfil the diocesan vision to make disciples of Jesus. …”

– Full announcement here (PDF file).

And Archbishop of Sydney Kanishka Raffel welcomes the news.

Pastoral Farewell Letter from the Bishop of Bathurst

After the service in Bathurst Cathedral today to signal the end of his time as Bishop, Mark Calder released this Pastoral Farewell Letter –

“Dear brothers and sisters,

At our recent Bishop-in-Council meeting in Dubbo, BiC asked that what I shared with them in my Bishop’s Matters might be shared more widely across the Diocese.

As this was my final Bishop’s Matters, I was a little more reflective than usual. I didn’t attempt to rehearse the last seven years, nor offer a grand assessment of my time here. Rather, I wanted to note with thanksgiving something of what the Lord has done among us, acknowledge some areas where I have needed considerable help, and say something about what I hope the Diocese will continue to value and pursue in the next chapter.

So, with only a little adaptation for a wider audience, here is something of what I shared. …”

– Download the PDF file to read his full letter.

Anglican Church’s first female Aboriginal priest and prolific Arnhem Land artist dies — “Her constant focus was on the work of the gospel”

From ABC News –

“A pioneer within the Anglican church has been remembered by her family as a ‘strong cultural woman’, after she passed away this week in the Northern Territory. …

Reverend Y. Nunggumajbarr was ordained as an Anglican priest in 2009 at a ceremony in her home community of Numbulwar, on the Gulf coast in south-east Arnhem Land. …

In an email sent to members of the Anglican Dioceses, Bishop Greg Anderson said Reverend Y. Nunggumajbarr had ministered services in nearby Angurugu and Numbulwar for more than a decade, prior to her retirement from the ministry in 2023.

‘Her constant focus was on the work of the gospel, and what needed to happen to make it spread,’ Bishop Anderson wrote. …”

– Story here.

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