Synod in Past Years
>> Ordinary Session 2003

Georges River Regional Council

Annual Report for 2002

(A report from the Georges River Regional Council.)

• Introduction
• Membership
• Major Matters
• Synod Grants
• Parish Organisation
• Employment of Staff

Introduction

1. In the year from 1 July 2002 to 30 June 2003 the regional council met on 6 occasions and held its annual one day conference in March 2003.

Membership

2. During the 12 month period covered by this report, the regional council welcomed Revs Peter Lin, Peter Hayward and Chris Hanger and Messrs Greg Nelson, Stuart Maze and Peter Williams to its membership. They replaced Revs Bruce Dingwall, Ivan Lee and Nick Speyer and Messrs Martin Drevikovsky, Eric Jones and Peter Singleton whom we thank for their important contributions to the regional council's deliberations. The Rev Nick Speyer and Mr Eric Jones were particularly helpful in their roles as secretary and treasurer respectively.

Major Matters

3. The Diocesan Mission has occupied a major place on the agendas of all the regional council's meetings and at each of the Task Forces' discussions. The implementation of the 4 policies across the region and the financial implications have involved detailed review and assessment of the grants given in past the present years. This has resulted in the grant making process being fine-tuned to bring it further into line with the details and spirit of the Mission.

Synod Grants

4. In this current year, grants have been made from the Synod Fund to assist present ministries and initiate new ones. Grants were made to Marrickville (2 workers - $28,000), Greenacre ($66,000), Campsie (2 cross cultural workers - $47,000), Carlton (4 workers - $25,500), Punchbowl ($24,000), Regents Park ($30,000), Cabramatta ($20,000), Penshurst ($10,000), Hoxton Park (2 workers - $31,000), Bossley Park ($30,000), Fairfield ($20,000), Sadleir (2 workers - $35,000), Revesby (2 workers - $12,500), Georges Hall (2 workers - $19,780), Hurstville Grove (3 workers - $14,500), Blakehurst ($6,000), Beverly Hills ($5,000), Hurstville ($2,500), Lugarno ($3,000) and Oatley ($5,000). In addition, grants were made to Greenacre for the region's Muslim Ministry Adviser, Mr Eddie Smith, to assist with the region's Refugee Settlement Support Coordinator, Mr Phin Tang and to conclude the ministry of Rev Farouk Hammo.

Parish Organisation

5. The regional council responded to a request for reorganisation from the parish of Panania to allow the re-licensing of St Matthew's Milperra and a change in churchwarden, parish council, parish nominator and annual meeting arrangements. These arrangements were approved as Acts of the Regional Bishop-in-Council.

Employment of Staff

6. The regional council continues to support the part-time ministry of Mrs Kerrie Newmarch as the Co-ordinator of the Region's Childrens & Youth Task Force and Mrs Marilyn Clerke as the Region's part-time ESL Co-ordinator. The Archbishop's Community and Development Programme, contributes significantly towards the ministry of Mr Phin Tang as Refugee Settlement Support Coordinator. This ministry continues to expand with newly arrived refugees receiving friendship and support from individual volunteers and local churches.

For and on behalf of the Georges River Regional Council

GEOFF HUARD
Regional Archdeacon
12 August 2003