The Bishop: Bishop Thomas-Augustine Peacock
Thomas is a son of the Anglican Diocese of Sydney and he and his family were long time parishioners of the Parish of St Alban’s, Epping. During his time he was a server, Sunday School teacher, Parish Councillor and Parish Secretary.
Thomas attended Sydney University where he gained his BA in History and English, then an MA in Ancient History. Having been selected for ordination training, he read Theology from the Melbourne College of Divinity (now known as the University of Divinity), gaining a Master of Divinity. Following his ordination to the diaconate in 1988, he served in the Diocese of Bathurst for two years. During this time he taught both Church History and Ethics in the Certificate in Theology course. He also served on community and government committees that dealt with education and youth work.
Following his return to Sydney Thomas became an Honorary Assistant at St Mark’s Granville, a post he held for the next 20 years. During this time he completed a Master of Education (Guidance and Counselling) at the ACU, undertook a year’s training in Psychodrama, and then completed a Graduate Diploma in Education. During this time he worked extensively as a High School teacher in both the state and private sectors. For two years he was Head of Humanities/Religious Education and School Chaplain at an independent Christian school, before working for the NSW Department of Education. He has presented papers at conferences in both Australia and the UK.
Thomas resides in Kings Langley and has lived for most of the past 30 years in the area. When not chained to his desk, his interests include Church History; medieval-based novels and sci-fi. For most of his life he has been an avid cook, even completing formal training in Commercial Cooking, and running a catering business.
Vicar General: Fr John Gumbley
John was born and brought up in suburban Sydney, but chose to study in Melbourne and was ordained in 1997 by the Anglican Primate. He completed a BA in Macquarie University then MDiv hons and MTheol hons at Melbourne university, majoring in Biblical Studies and Systematic Theology.
He served 14 years as a Anglican clergyman in three parishes, before parting ways with the Anglican Church in a disciplinary controversy. He wrote a book about his experience of leaving the Anglican church clergy entitled ‘Frock off”.
He joined the Episcopal Church of Australia in Lent 2012, in their second year of operation and was nurtured into the clergy leadership over the next three years.
He works now as a tax accountant in Pennant Hills in Northwest Sydney, and was appointed Vicar General by the Bishop, and manages the Church financial reporting and compliance as the assistant Treasurer.
The Senior Priest / Bishop’s Chaplain: Rev Fr Gregory C Horn
Fr Greg was ordained a Priest in 2006. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Education (Melbourne University), a Master’s Degree in Educational Studies (Monash University) and a Bachelor’s Degree in Theology (Melbourne College of Divinity), he also has undertaken Doctoral studies in Social Science (Latrobe University). Fr Greg continues to read widely to keep himself abreast of current issues in Theology and the Social Sciences.
His pastoral work experience is very wide and varied with strong emphasis in the “caring professions”. Fr Greg has a special interest in the welfare of the elderly, the bereaved and health education.
He enjoys the company of friends both, new and old, along with dining and the occasional glass of wine.
Fr Greg has served on various Community Based Boards and Committees at both State and National level. Currently he serves as a Director at Positive Live (NSW) where he is also the Secretary of the Board of Directors.
Senior Priest: Fr Rob Suttie
Fr Rob was born and brought up in Johannesburg, South Africa. He is hearing impaired, having only about 40% hearing in his right ear with the assistance of his hearing aid.
In 2006, he immigrated to Australia and in 2008 entered formation to become Ordained. He was Ordained a Deacon in 2010 and Priested in 2011. English is his base language, but he is fluent in Sign Language and is able to minister to people who have hearing impairment and can only use Auslan as their essential communication platform.
Fr Rob has made Aged Care an important part of his ministry and leads services in several aged care facilities every month in Western Sydney. He has a passion for serving the elderly and loves to connect and care for elderly residents which he has done for many years. He also has an online ministry on Social media. He is a priest in the Episcopal Church of Australia, is a marriage celebrant, and is a lover of all codes of football and rugby.
Deacon: Rev Robin Hutcheon
Robin lived the first 12 years of his life in various parts of China. In Shanghai he was a chorister at Holy Trinity Cathedral. He came to Sydney with his family in 1941, completing his education in 1945. He was a server and acolyte at St Mark’s, Darling Point during those years.
He gained a cadetship at the Sydney Morning Herald in 1947, serving in Sydney and Canberra in various capacities, before leaving for London in 1952. He worked in Fleet Street until 1953 before accepting a job with the South China Morning Post Ltd in Hong Kong. While there (1955) he read modern East Asian history at the University of Hong Kong and while in UK on leave in 1958 attended St Augustine’s College, Canterbury studying theology.
Robin became Editor of two newspapers, the China Mail (1957-1962) and the South China Morning Post from 1967 to 1986. He was also a director of the company. He served as an acolyte and Lay Reader at St John’s Cathedral during that time. He married Beatrice Greaves, a fellow journalist, in 1957 and they had three children, Stephen, Andrew and Jane.
Since returning to Australia, Robin had written several books (histories and biographies) and has lectured on history at the University of the Third Age and the School for Seniors at the Church in the Market Place, Bondi Junction.
He has been a Lay Reader at St Mary’s Church, Waverley for 23 years, and a Pastoral Assistant at the Communities of our Lady, before being ordained Deacon. Robin has written a number of hymns published in the US, including oner for our Church and referencing Our Lady. .
Like Johnny Walker, he is still going strong and feels he has something to offer.