JULY ‘22
THIS ISSUE The monthly newsletter that aims to inter-connect our 2500+ employees (and countless volunteers) so that we all have a broader understanding of and empathy for the significant scope of faith-based, for purpose work Newcastle Anglican is delivering, to enable people of all ages and communities to flourish through our parishes and services.
A collective Celebration
Celebrations were abundant at Christ Church Cathedral on Wednesday, 29 June, as we welcomed into the fold six newly ordained Deacons, commissioned Reverend Canon Aunty Di Langham into the position of Director of Reconciliation and recognised the 175th anniversary of the Newcastle Diocese. The Reverend Canon Aunty Di Langham takes her place in the Diocese as the first Director of Reconciliation at a time when the Anglican Church seeks to participate in the strengthening of relationships through Our Service Agencies
reconciliation with our nation’s First People. Archdeacon Rod Bower prepared the newly ordained Deacons Diane Anderson, Mary Horn, Gail Orchard, Narelle Riley, Kyle Taylor and Toni Wein. Bishop Peter entered the Cathedral carrying the staff of Bishop William Tyrrell, the first Bishop of Newcastle. He described the multifunctional ways it was used in its time with great character. He concluded the service by carrying out the staff gifted to the church by the third Bishop on the 50th
175th Anniversary of the Diocese NAIDOC Week New Paid Parental Leave Policy Salute to our Seafarers
Anniversary of the Diocese. To the six Deacons, Bishop Peter said, “You who are being ordained as Deacon this evening are being ordained on an amazing night. The 175th birthday is a time to reflect on what has gone before. You will be reminders to us all of the revolutionary challenge that Jesus gave to those around him, and Matthew echoed through the ages. You are called to be revolutionary leaders to enable us to be part of Jesus’s revolution that goes on until the end of time, in all places, and in all ways.” Newcastle Anglican Schools Corporation
NAIDOC Week celebrations are held across Australia each July to celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. NAIDOC is celebrated in Indigenous communities and by Australians from all walks of life. NAIDOC celebrations have been taking place at Newcastle Anglican throughout the week. Some of our residents at Scenic Lodge couldn’t wait to start and enjoyed a wonderful performance by Windale Public School’s ‘Deadly Dancers’. They spent time together having a sausage sizzle and having a chat. The commissioning of Rev Canon Aunty Di Langham into the role of Director of Reconciliation was also a time to celebrate as Newcastle Anglican recognises the importance of reconciliation through strengthening relationships and truth-telling. In Kempsey, our HIPPY Team participated in the annual NAIDOC march, and residents at Storm Village in Taree were visited by the Chatham High School Aboriginal Dance Group, who performed Aboriginal dances in full costume and body paint. Residents talked with the students about the local Biripi people and culture, with some of the residents having the opportunity to hold a traditional spear. As we celebrate in many ways, it’s also time to celebrate the many who have driven and led change in our communities over generations—they have been the heroes and champions of change, equal rights, and even basic human rights. The relationship between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non‑Indigenous Australians needs to be based on justice, equity, and the proper recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ rights. Get Up! Stand Up! Show Up!
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A call to the Principals office with
Deb Clancy ‘My values align with the Anglican values – the focus on inclusivity, serving students at the heart of what we do.’ As Deb Clancy celebrates her first year as Principal of Lakes Grammar, it was great to catch up with her to chat about her 35 years in education. Deb has a passion for the students in her care and seeing them flourish in school and beyond has been her driving force throughout her career. Every career starts somewhere, and for Deb, that began in 1987 in the school’s science labs. Since then, Deb has travelled across Australia, taught in various school systems, and developed into an educational leader through diverse roles. Deb joined Lakes Grammar in Term 3 2021, and believes the school is perfect for her in many ways. ‘My values align with the Anglican values of Newcastle Anglican – the focus on inclusivity, on serving students at the heart of what we do. The support the NASC and Newcastle Anglican teams offer for a new principal cannot be overstated. Moving from Sydney to the Central Coast was another drawcard. I love working in a coeducational environment and can see the benefits it brings to our students.’
In her time at Lakes Grammar so far, she has loved seeing the relationships between staff and students and inclusivity in the playground. The hard work of staff who go above and beyond and the parents who want the best for their children. Deb’s love of working with young people and their parents to make a difference was instrumental in taking up Principalship. ‘The highlight of any day is the opportunity to speak to our students and hear about what our school and their education means to them. As teachers, we want to serve our communities and make a difference in the lives of the students in our care. As a principal, I have the opportunity to do not only what I love but also to impact a broad range of our community and be part of the Lake’s history – for just a moment in time!’ Being one of four Principals in the group of Newcastle Anglican Schools, Deb appreciates the
wonderful support team of shared resources and ability to bounce ideas off. ‘Being a principal can be a lonely job – so working in a team is a great benefit.’ It is not often you will find Deb sitting still, but during her time outside of the school yard, she takes every opportunity to head to the beach to switch off and relax. She has a love for reading and listening to podcasts, and when asked if she could take a year off to write a book, what would she call it and why? She answered, ‘What I wish I knew’ I seem to always be reflecting on what happened in my younger years and what I wish I knew in terms of wellbeing, character development and resilience. I was a really quiet, reserved and shy child – but certainly not a shy or reserved adult!’
It has ARRIVED OUR New Parental Leave Policy Newcastle Anglican is proud to announce major changes to our parental leave provisions as part of our ongoing commitment to fostering the well-being of our workers and their families. Nicole Klasen, General Manager of People & Culture explained that ‘When we brought the four arms of Newcastle Anglican Diocese together we recognised that there were different parental leave policies for different staff members. We knew how important it was for to have policies which reflect what leading employers had in place. The Australian Government Work Gender Equality Agency issued a policy guide in February. Our experience already showed us that an effective parental leave policy was an important part of building the family-friendly workplace practices that we want. About 80% of our staff are women, and we wanted them to have access to a consistent response, wherever they work in Newcastle Anglican. We also wanted a policy which encouraged men to be able to take parental leave. Our aim is to promote a more sustainable work-life balance for both women and men and to affirm how important it is for our staff to be able to balance their career with family transitions. The process of developing this policy has been a really important outcome of bringing all parts of the Diocese together. It has been a partnership between the People and Culture Directorate, the policy team, the Newcastle Anglican Board Governance and Remuneration Committee, the Board and Diocesan Council. Bishop Peter was a champion of the policy all the way through’. Benefits of paid parental leave policy update: • Provisions are equal to, or better than, existing policies and industrial instruments. • Increasing paid parental leave to 14 weeks under any circumstances where there is a new baby, including adoption, for same-sex couples and surrogacy. • Three weeks paid partner leave for the secondary caregiver. • Continuing superannuation contributions during parental leave. • New breastfeeding at work provisions. •5
A man of many talents
John Barriga ‘Compassion and Faith. I have had both extended to me in my life and have found these values the ones that I try to give back as much as possible’. In June, Executive Director of IT John Barriga took up the role of Acting Diocesan Chief Executive. This position will work closely with Bishop Peter in leading Newcastle Anglican, and in this month’s issue of Interconnect, we got to know a little more about John. Authenticity is what shines through when you first meet John. ‘I’m consistent; I’m the same person; I don’t pretend.’ is John’s answer to ‘Who is John outside the office?’ He confesses to having an ‘interesting sense of humour and enjoys life, and pranking his three teenage boys! John’s family are his counterbalance. They have supported him throughout his career in senior management roles and say, ‘they are my biggest supporters and my biggest critics! They make sure I stay healthy and are proud of me as a dad and
husband.’
with the most?
If John could invite any three people to dinner, who would they be and why? ‘Firstly, someone like Winston Churchill or Ronald Regan. In their time, they were great communicators. They had to lead during difficult times, and I would want to know what they were thinking. Second, I’m a huge soccer fan, so someone like Sir Alex Ferguson (Manchester United Coach), who was able to turn teams around, I’d want to talk to him about how he manages success. And thirdly, Bugs Bunny, because I love his approach to life.’
‘Compassion and Faith. I have had both extended to me in my life and have found these values the ones that I try to give back as much as possible.’
Which of the six Newcastle Anglican values – Compassion, Integrity, Justice, Faith, Courage and Wisdom, does John resonate
In asking John about the potential of Newcastle Anglican, he speaks with passion and certainty, ‘I see an organisation we can drive into the 21st century. We have had challenges and surpassed, and are now improving so we can start innovating.’ And finally, what’s the bucket list item that John would like to do one day? ‘Skydiving.’ You can ask him why when you see him, it’s a great answer.
An informed approach to
Restoring Sanctuary
On Friday, 17 June, clergy and lay leaders met together at the Parish of Wallsend in an exciting new project focusing on creating a place of sanctuary to support victims/ survivors of domestic violence. The Sanctuary Approach is a theologically-informed focus on the issue of domestic violence and how individual churches can create safe spaces for women and children who have experienced domestic violence. The theologically-informed Sanctuary Approach training covers the following issues in detail: • Comprehensive information relating to Domestic Violence (definitions, dimensions, myths & facts, incidence and prevalence, examples etc) • Tactics used by perpetrators • Impact of DV on Children: brain development, trauma etc. • Spiritual Abuse and misuse of Scripture to justify or maintain coercive control • Potential Theological blockages to reporting domestic abuse • Theology and Biblical messages of love, justice, respect and equality • Exploring what Sanctuary might look like in your church. Participants received resources including a comprehensive, evidence-based training manual comprising information about domestic violence, occurring both within the church and the community and how churches can respond to provide hope, safety, healing and acceptance.
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WALKING, LISTENING & WITNESSING A journey through the Lambeth Conference Anglicans are story tellers. We tell the story of Jesus, and we tell the story of the work we do in his name. In a few weeks’ time, the bishops from this Diocese will be joining other Anglican bishops for a major event of story-telling and encouragement. We will listen to them and we will tell our Newcastle story. The event is called the Lambeth Conference it runs from 26 July to 8 August. Held approximately every ten years, the drumbeat of this Conference has been described as ‘walking, listening and witnessing together’. The focus of the Lambeth Conference is being ‘God’s Church for God’s World’. The conference has been designed around creating a series of Lambeth Calls to the church. These will be the declarations, affirmations, and aspirations shared by the bishops who are participating in the conference. Over the days of the Conference we can expect these Calls to emerge from sessions on human dignity, reconciliation, mission and evangelism, and interfaith engagement. The backdrop for the conversations includes the changing patterns of religious and spiritual life in western countries for which there are different experiences in Africa and Asia, the impact of the COVID pandemic, the crisis evoked by climate change, religious militarism, colonialism and reconciliation with First Nations, and human sexuality and gender identity. The Lambeth Conference is presided over by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, who writes, It’s my prayer that, inspired by the Holy Spirit, the Lambeth Conference will reinvigorate the Communion with the vision and resources to bring the transforming love of Jesus Christ to every level of society across the world. It will be a time of addressing hurts and concerns; of deepening existing relationships and building new ones; of grappling with issues that face the Church and the world. We will listen to each other; we will seek God’s wisdom to find ways to walk together; we will build each other up as leaders. •8
Australia has FEWER CHRISTIANS The recent release of the 2021 Census results has shown a shift in the country’s religious and spiritual practices. Bishop Peter says, ‘the trend for increasing diversity of Australian religious and spiritual practices has been observable for many years. Anglicans are confident that we make a valuable contribution to Australian society. We have been working to ensure that we are able to do this in a meaningful and sustained way as we serve the people of this region.’ Key data: • 43.9% identify Christianity as their religion • 9.8% identify Anglican as their religion • 38.9% identify having no religion • 93% answered this voluntary question
Dr David Gruen AO, Australian Statistician, said, ‘The religion question holds a special place in the Census – it is one of the few topics that has been in every one of Australia’s 18 Censuses and is the only question that is voluntary.’ To read the full ABS media statement click on the link. https://www.abs.gov.au/media-centre/media-releases/2021-censusshows-changes-australias-religious-diversity
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OUR NEW GRADUATES Our care for our residents is growing in strength, with recent graduations for nine Anglican Care Certificate III students who recently completed their Individual Support (Aging) traineeship. Bishop Peter gave the graduates their certificates, congratulated each recipient and welcomed them to the Anglican Care team and wider Newcastle Anglican organisation. Providing on-the-job training qualifications and professional development opportunities for staff is part of Newcastle Anglican’s service promise to support our employees in achieving their goals. If you know someone looking for a new start, please reach out to our People & Culture team at jobs@anglicancare.com.au to get further details.
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A SEA OF HANDS In honour of Reconciliation Week, the headspace Taree (Samaritans) team joined with Manning Valley Anglican College in May to create a ‘Sea of Hands’. The college held a small presentation which included guest speaker Ben Stewart, a proud Biripi man, who spoke of what Reconciliation means to him and taught us all some words in Gathang. Students, staff and the community were invited to place a coloured hand into the earth, representing the Aboriginal Flag and Torres Strait Islander Flags.
A HEARTFELT GOODBYE For Emergency Relief Co-ordinator Beth Hanna and her team, supporting people facing an immediate crisis in our community is a tough but rewarding role. The dedicated team of volunteers and staff operate six emergency relief sites across Newcastle, Central Coast, Hunter and Mid North Coast, and recently they said farewell to one of their wonderful Volunteers, Maria and Social Worker Letitia. Beth said, ‘Volunteers are crucial to the Emergency Relief service being available to our community. We are in need of more volunteers to grow our team and ensure our services stay open. We provide all the training and support for volunteers needed for them and encourage anyone interested in volunteering to contact our office on 02 4922 1540.
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A+ for School ANNUAL REPORTS 30 June is a date most recognise as the End of Financial Year (EOFY). For our Newcastle Anglican Schools, it is the date they deliver their Annual Reports to NESA (NSW Education Standards Authority) and the wider community. These reports provide a wonderful insight into the school’s achievements throughout 2021 and show the outcomes and development of the students, staff and school community. Over the past year, our four schools, Bishop Tyrrell Anglican College, Lakes Grammar – An Anglican College, Manning Valley Anglican College and Scone Grammar School, have worked collaboratively in their approach to implementing specialised programs across teaching and learning. Despite a resurgence in Covid, the schools continued thier educational programs, exceptional care and wellbeing for their students and families. The 2021 Annual Reports are available on each school’s website.
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A NEW WAY TO CONNECT WITH CANDIDATES Our People & Culture Team hosted its first Group Information and Assessment Day for people who were interested in joining the Newcastle Anglican community. The diversity of career opportunities within the Newcastle Anglican agencies gives current and future employees many choices and pathways to work within. Participants heard from some of our leaders about the organisation and specific roles and some inspiring employees and what they have achieved whilst being with us. As a part of the day, the participants completed team-building exercises and group work. This allowed them and our recruitment specialists to determine their capabilities and what career role they might choose when joining our community. The interest in roles varied from early childhood educators, youth support workers, and care assistants to registered nurses. Congratulations to our People & Culture Team for engaging our commuinity to explore career opportunities within our Newcastle Anglican services.
TOBY MILLS Right presenting at the Expo Open Day
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WARNERVALE GARDEN RESIDENTS WITH CAST OF ALADDIN
SCHOOL MUSICALS HIT HIGH NOTE It’s been a season of musicals for two of our Anglican schools, Lakes Grammar and Manning Valley Anglican College. Over 120 students have been treading the floorboards, practising their lines and rehearsing songs in preparation for their musical spectaculars. Lakes Grammar staged Aladdin Jnr, with over 60 cast and crew, and was directed by creative and performing arts coordinator, Mrs Katrina Braun, who said, ‘Our production of Aladdin was not a smooth road. As rehearsals were due to begin, the coronavirus ground everything to a halt. We remained optimistic and adaptable, meeting the challenges and moving rehearsals online. I am so very blessed to have worked with such an amazing cast and crew.’ Anglican Care’s Warnervale Gardens residents had a wonderful time attending the final dress rehearsal. You couldn’t wipe the smiles from their faces! Manning Valley Anglican College performed a foot-stomping rendition of the stage show, We Will Rock You, with a cast and crew of 65. Musical Director Carmel Brown said, ‘Weekly rehearsals began in late 2021, with weekend rehearsals and an intense 3-day musical incursion leading up to the show.’ Both Principals, Deb Clancy and Darren Parks, were incredibly proud of the dedication and talents of all the staff, students and school community that participated in the successful performances. • 14
ALADDIN BY LAKES GRAMMAR
WE WILL ROCK YOU BY MANNING VALLEY ANGLICAN COLLEGE
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A SALUTE TO OUR SEAFARERS The Mission to Seafarers (MTS) is a missionary society of the Anglican Church that cares for seafarers’ spiritual and practical welfare of all races and creeds and their families. The MTS show God’s love to seafarers in more than 230 ports worldwide. In 2023, MTS Newcastle celebrates its 150th anniversary. While Sea Sunday is celebrated globally on 10 July, on 17 July, Christ Church Cathedral will host the Evensong service that will see Bishop Peter give a Blessing to the Harbour Master, the Seafarers and the Beanies that are lovingly knitted by parishioners of the Anglican Diocese and given to the Seafarers when they visit. Reverend Garry Dodd has been the MTS Chaplain in Newcastle for thirteen years and describes the work of MTS as ‘being the hands, heart and feet of Jesus’. MTS is a volunteer organisation providing welcome and friendship. They support seafarer’s in a variety of ways: it may be visiting a seafarer left in a foreign hospital, assisting the survivors of a disaster at sea, comforting the distressed or bereaved, providing support for families or helping cases of injustice or hardship. The MTS service at Wickham is a place where seafarers can relax away from their ships. The facilities offered may vary, but most centres have a chapel, telephones and computers to assist seafarers in keeping in touch with their families, a small shop selling toiletries, souvenirs, food and drinks, and leisure facilities. For those wanting to support the Mission to Seafarers charity, Rev Garry says there are multiple ways: • through prayer, • being an advocate for the MTS in learning about the mission and talking about it with friends and family, • a financial donation that can be made via their website https://mtsnewcastle.org.au/ • volunteering. • 16
VALARIE & RAYMOND TAYLOR’S 70TH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY Storm Village residents Raymond and Valerie Rock celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary with family, other residents and staff on the 16 May. Raymond met Valerie while growing up in the neighbouring suburbs of Lakemba and Belmore In Sydney. After retirement, they decided to move to Nambucca Heads where they enjoyed fishing, the beaches, bowls and social outings, and continuing their caravan trips. They have 4 children, 10 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren and two great greatgrandchildren. Ray and Val decided to move from Nambucca Heads to Storm Village in Taree earlier this year and are a cherished part of the Storm Village family.
Above RAY AND VALERIE CUTTING THE CAKE AT THEIR ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION AT STORM VILLAGE, AND PHOTO WITH FAMILY.
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TWO TOP GUYS Between them, they have over sixty years of loyal service with Newcastle Anglican, but it’s now time for Brian Munday and Graeme Wray to put their feet up and enjoy the spoils of Retirement. Senior Property Officer for preventative maintenance, Graeme started at Anglican Care 31 years ago as Maintenance Supervisor after working with the Hunter Water Board as a painter for ten years. At that time, Anglican Care’s property included CA Brown, Greenmount Gardens and self-care units at Wangi. Anglican care has evolved immensely over the years, with Graeme’s position expanding to Maintenance Manager only three years after his commencement. Anglican Care’s property portfolio now extends to nine nursing homes and six self-care unit sites, not to mention the recent consolidation of services, including the Samaritans, Diocese and the Anglican schools. Graeme is looking forward to his Retirement and setting off to travel to Western Australia and then further east to explore the desert, with this bother departing on 9 September. Brian has been a loyal staff member with Anglican Care for nearly 34 years, working in a number of roles. He began his Anglican Care journey in Hospitality, working alongside a number of our now Retirement Living Residents and recounts many stories of camaraderie with his team. Next, Brian moved into the role of Resident Liason Officer, with his expert knowledge of the services in Anglican Care, he joined the Customer Relations team, where he became the welcoming face of Newcastle Anglican at Booragul’s Corporate office. Graeme and Brian, we wish you all the best in your Retirement. • 18
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Connecting from
THE HEART a message from Bishop Peter Being part of Newcastle Anglican means that you are part of something bigger. We are part of a global family of Anglican Churches called the Anglican Communion. A family which comprises tens of millions of Christians in more than 165 countries. A family in which there are an estimated 43 million women members. Anglicans express their commitment to service through 5 marks of mission which along, with our emphasis on worship and prayer, are summarised as; • Enabling people’s spirituality: worship, reflection, and prayer • Telling people about the way of Jesus • Nurturing people in the way of Jesus • Responding to human need
Our Service Agencies
with loving service • Addressing violence and unjust structures: Pursuing peace and reconciliation • Caring for Creation These marks of mission are at the heart of our work in parishes, schools, Samaritans, and Anglican Care. If you work for a Newcastle Anglican agency or school, you are connected to this family even if you are not Anglican. We delight in the wonderful partnership we have with staff and volunteers who share a similar passion to address people’s need and promote harmony across the planet. Together, we find shared purpose in our commitment to the common good for a common humanity.
Anglican Communion are expressed in global projects. One of them sees women and men working together for gender justice. Fashioned by our belief that women and men are equally made in the image of God, we are working to promote change among individuals and in all our communities. We want to reform the unequal power relations between women and men, girls and boys which leads to gender-based violence. Anglicans are finding ways of cooperating with each other and people of good will, to confront the abuses of power and expressions of control especially those heightened by epidemic, war and political unrest experienced by millions across the globe.
The marks of mission of the
Newcastle Anglican Schools Corporation