On a typical winter’s day in Murrurundi, a large crowd gathered to celebrate the day – 150 years earlier – when the building of St Paul’s Church of England (as it was known then) was dedicated. Visitors came from near and far on Sunday 23 June to participate in a Celebration of Holy Communion, officiated […] The post Large crowd celebrates Murrurundi’s milestone appeared first on Newcastle Anglican ..read more

Bishop Tyrrell Anglican College (BTAC) student Amaya Shaw was recently interviewed about her success in becoming the 2024 National Cross Country Mountain Bike Series Under 17s Women’s Champion. A longer version of this Q&A featured in BTAC’s Kalabara publication. Q: Congratulations on becoming the National Series Cross Country Mountain Bike U17s Women Champion! How does it feel to achieve such a significant accomplishment in your sport? A: I feel extremely proud of my achievements, especially in a sport that is relatively new to me. I have always loved riding mountain bikes with my family ..read more

Lakes Grammar – An Anglican School is highlighting two of its leaders – Head of Senior School Alison MacLarty and TAS and PDHPE Coordinator Greg Sewell. Alison MacLarty Alison is privileged to lead a passionate team of educators in providing learning opportunities for Year 9 to 12 at Lakes Grammar – An Anglican School. As Head of Senior School, she oversees the learning both in and out of the classroom, the wellbeing programs, and the planning of day-to-day life in the upper campus of the school. Alison works closely with the Directors of Academic Care, Diversity and Challenge and the two Dea ..read more

If there’s one person who has worn many hats at Manning Valley Anglican College (MVAC), it would be Mrs Karen Brown. Karen has dedicated almost 20 years of service to the college, beginning her journey in a casual teaching position in 2004. She has always been at the forefront of shaping the educational learning experiences for the students. Her passion for lifelong learning has taken her across a broad spectrum of roles within the college from classroom teacher, K – 2 Coordinator and Head of Primary School. It was in her executive role that Karen rediscovered her calling and passion for class ..read more

In 2015, during Danette Wallace’s first Variety Bash, the principal of Young Public School made a poignant comment: “giving people are happy people, and you sure are a happy bunch of people”. This statement resonated deeply with Danette, an impassioned educator at The Yellow Cottage, Scone Grammar School’s Preschool. For Danette, this perfectly captured the essence of the Variety Bash. Danette’s involvement in the Variety Bash allowed her to merge two of her greatest passions: educating children and giving to others. This year’s Bash was particularly special as her entire family participated ..read more

An Anglican Care partnership may help reduce one of the most rapidly growing groups of homeless people in the state. In 2022, a parliamentary inquiry found the face of homelessness in NSW was an older person aged over 55 – particularly women. This was largely due to rising rents, domestic violence and cost of living spikes, together with lower savings and superannuation. A report, released by Anglicare last year, also showed older, single women aged over 55 were eight times more likely to be homeless. An initiative called the Housing for Older Persons Project (HOPP) – formed by the Hunter Ag ..read more

David Hesketh has always enjoyed hands on work. A bricklayer by trade, the English-born chaplain arrived in Australia more than 30 years ago with a goal to work in ministry. After serving in various parishes across the Anglican Diocese of Newcastle, David became community chaplain at Home for Good – Recovery Point. The Samaritans-led program offers the chance for recently released prisoners to work with a case worker and volunteers to gain the stability and community connection to remain out of the correctional system. It provides initial support with finding accommodation, clothing and identi ..read more

Nicole Klasen will often spend weekends attending junior soccer games and getting her hands dirty as her young family’s forever home begins to take shape. During the week, she juggles motherhood with a high-powered position as Newcastle Anglican’s Executive Director of People and Culture. Nicole says she is grateful to Newcastle Anglican for helping her balance raising a young family while developing and growing her career. “I’ve recently come back from maternity leave. Ivy is eight months old now and I have two other children – Ava, eight, and Aiden, six,” she says. The transition back to wor ..read more

I like the musical Wicked. In one very moving song, the witch Glinda sings: “that people come into our lives for a reason bringing something we must learn. And we are led to those who help us most to grow if we let them.” Towards the end of her song, she and Elphaba sing: “because I knew you, I have been changed for good.” Almost all of us know of the positive impact another person has on us. The bonds between us have been overwhelmingly helpful. Through them we have found more meaning, purpose, and connection in our lives. Our connection has helped us both for good – meaning both positively a ..read more

We are celebrating National Volunteer Week 2024. Here are two examples of the work our generous volunteers do to support Newcastle Anglican and the wider community. Chris Thomas Chris has helped out with a number of different roles, including doing the newsletter and reading sheet, putting together liturgy booklets for worship, and also serving as parish secretary and on the parish council. She diligently prepares the worship space and liturgy material under the guidance of The Reverend Melanie Whalley. Chris holds a Lay Readers Licence and assists with Home Communions in the parish while also ..read more