Meet these inspiring women of the Uniting Church
International Women's Day 2022
March 7, 2022
This International Women’s Day (IWD) we are delighted to be celebrating the immense contribution of Uniting Church women.
We invited people across our national church to submit the names of inspiring UCA women they know who are making an impact through leadership, witness and service. The response has been incredible. Thank you to all those who named women in their lives. It is truly inspiring to hear of the many ways women in the Uniting Church are giving of themselves so generously, empowering and uplifting the gifts of others, nurturing faith and community, leading change, standing with the marginalised and making God’s mission in the world a reality.
Read more in our story where some of these women share about their journey and what International Women’s Day means to them, and hear from others on the President's Podcast. Click the images below to read about these amazing women.
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Rev Amel Manyon
Rev Amel Manyon was the first South Sudanese woman ordained minister in the Uniting Church. This incredible woman not only faithfully serves the Anglo community at Dernancourt Uniting Church where she is minister but is a constant source of support for the Sudanese community in Adelaide and beyond, especially for other women. She is a tireless mentor for many young people. Amel came to Australia from war-torn South Sudan as a refugee and found welcome in the Uniting Church where she was encouraged to take on leadership roles. Amel is the current chair of the South Sudanese National Conference in the Uniting Church.
Alisi Siakimotu
Alisi is an inspirational leader and the heart and soul of ministry to young people at Carlton Ramsgate Uniting Church in Sydney. She blesses the congregation with a warm and positive presence, a deep faith and selfless generosity. Her impact in the congregation is undeniable, from ensuring families in need are receiving essential supplies in isolation and lockdown, spending time with people via Zoom, checking in with our elders, delivering HSC survival packs to our year 12 students, and generally holding the well-being of the congregation in her heart. She is deeply loved and valued in the church and community.
Alison Overeem
Alison Overeem is a proud palawa woman from lutruwita (Tasmania) who is driven by culture, family and empowerment. Since 2013 Alison has been the Leprena Centre Manager (UAICC Tasmania) where she is instrumental in nurturing connection. She gives generously of herself to the wider Uniting Church, including as the current Advocate for the Assembly Walking Together as First and Second Peoples Circle. Alison has a warrior heart for justice and reconciliation and is a powerful teller of truth and story. She holds the Uniting Church to the account of its commitments with integrity, graciousness and love. We are blessed to walk alongside her.
Rev Anne Hewitt
Anne has an amazing ability to with people from all walks of life and to share her faith, love and Christ’s peace with all she meets. Well before she became a Minister of the Word, Anne was ministering to others through her fight for justice, equity and understanding, supporting people wherever and whenever she could. She served faithfully in a range of ministry roles before now leading the South Australian Council of Churches, bringing denominations together for connection and understanding. She is widely respected and has done so much in and on behalf of the UCA. We see you Anne, and what you’ve done for us.
Beth Horsfield
Beth has faithfully served the Church over many years with strong leadership gifts and a commitment to strengthening the life and faith of local UCA communities. Among many roles, Beth has been Chair and Secretary of the Rosanna congregation and an active member of the Banyule Network where she has founded opportunities to build connection and nurture for women. She has served on the Yarra Yarra Presbytery Standing Committee for 10 years including three years as Chair, been a member of the Synod Standing Committee, and Chaplain to the Moderator. Beth has also been an advocate for refugees and was Convenor of the Jaga Jaga Branch of the 'Grandmothers against the Detention of Refugee Children'. Beth goes about her ministry without fanfare and as an expression of her faith.
Beth Williams
Beth has been attending the Temple Congregational and then Uniting church at Henley Beach, South Australia, for 82 years! Across this time she has been an active participant in the fellowship, pastoral care and social outreach of the congregation. She was a dedicated Sunday School teacher for over 50 years and a leader with the Girls Brigade for over 30 years. Beth is a quiet and faithful supporter of whatever is happening in the Henley Fulham Uniting Church and we give thanks for her ministry over many years.
Bronwyn Cox
Despite an exceptionally heavy workload as a Partner at a large law firm, Bronwyn generously volunteers her time across the life of Emmanuel Uniting Church in Enoggera. She serves as an elder, regularly sings and leads worship on Sundays, and offers other gifts wherever they are needed. As a member of the Synod Nomination and Remuneration committee, Bronwyn is periodically involved in selection of Directors for the Board of Uniting Care Qld. Bronwyn's humility, wisdom, generosity and willingness to share her gifts blesses the local Uniting Church and the Qld Synod.
Catherine Russell
Alongside a significant leadership contribution to her congregation and the wider Synod of South Australia, Catherine is a passionate advocate for asylum seekers and refugees. Over many years she has offered meaningful support to people both in detention centres and newly released into the community – visiting, finding and funding housing, and helping them navigate systems of bureaucracy. During COVID-19 lockdowns, Catherine set up and coordinated a food distribution program for people on temporary visas who had lost employment and weren’t eligible for government support. She is a member of the Synod of South Australia Refugee Advisory Group and Rural Australians for Refugees. A deep Christian faith underpins Catherine’s work as she lives out Christ’s call to come alongside the marginalised and vulnerable.
Chris Manning
Chris generously offers her administrative gifts as the long-time Church Council Secretary for Emmanuel Uniting Church in Enoggera. She is a pillar of support to the church community as her efficiency and capability have helped steer the congregation through some recent crises. She is also a friend, inspiration and pastoral support to other women in the congregation, regularly leading a small group and a prayer triplet.
Claire Hoole
Claire has made important contributions to many Uniting Church congregations. She is an inspirational Christian woman, a member of Emmanuel Uniting Church in Enoggera and Chaplain at Wesley Hospital. She is particularly committed to building community for women within the congregation. With significant gifts in pastoral care she is known to be a mentor for others and has companioned many on their faith journey.
Rev Denise Savage
Eeha Foong
Eeha is a wise, gracious and respected leader for the St Stephens Uniting Church in Applecross where she is Church Council Chairperson. Speaking freely of an incredible faith journey and of how faith has changed her life, she outworks this in many ways: leading bible studies, outreach to homeless people in Perth and visiting members of the community to combat isolation and loneliness. The Chinese community recognise her as a woman of wisdom and insight, while more broadly she inspires by bringing people together to create connection and gently educate about diversity and difference. She demonstrates the love of Christ in all she does and is a true bridge builder.
Eileen Squire
Eileen has made an incredible leadership contribution to the Henley Fulham congregation and wider Uniting Church, serving as Secretary of Elders, Secretary of Parish Council, Chairperson of Elders and on various Synod and Presbytery committees. She was also Chairperson of Worship Planning in her congregation where she was an advocate for innovative ideas in worship. With a strong call to pastoral care, Eileen has been one of the congregation’s most dedicated pastoral visitors over many years including 11 years of weekly visits to patients at The Queen Elizabeth Hospital. Through a gift for hospitality and care for others, Eileen is helping to nurture faith and foster connection within the church community and beyond.
Heather Price
Heather contributes to her local congregation at Adamstown Uniting Church but also to the church nationally with her modern and inclusive song-writing for worship - for both adults and children. Her songs also address other issues important to the local and broader UCA community, such as the environment, the LGBTQI+ community and parenting. She connects with and empowers other female musicians in the local industry, and her networking has led to many collaborative, all-women showcase events in Newcastle and the Hunter. Heather offers insight, leadership, courage and integrity in all areas of her life.
Hee Won Chang
Hee Won is a first-Generation Korean woman and soon-to-be ordained Minister of the Word in the Synod of NSW/ACT. Through her ministry formation she has become known for her creativity, leadership and deep wisdom. With a beautiful heart of faith she deeply enriches the faith lives of those around her, and her profound way of speaking of God invites others on the journey of the life, healing and reconciliation offered to us all.
Rev Janet Staines
Janet is an ordained Minister of the Word at Chermside Kedron Community Church in Brisbane, where she leads and ministers with compassion, grace and purpose. She continues to pursue reconciliation and justice for First Australians and those who are vulnerable, connecting and developing deep relationships and shared storytelling. Janet has enabled women in leadership to flourish and use their gifts in every congregation and team she has worked with. She has led the way for women in ministry and many look to her as an example and for inspiration and guidance. She has cleared paths and made the way for many other women ministers to follow.
Jannine Jackson
Jannine is the National Director of Frontier Services, leading a team responsible for reaching people in outback and remote areas across Australia. She is compassionate, caring and demonstrates an inspiring dedication to this important mission of the church despite its many challenges. With a passion for people, she never hesitates to find new ways to support people in vulnerable situations. More than 100 years ago Reverend John Flynn embarked on his dream to build a network of care and ‘mantle of safety’ for people in the outback and bush. Today Jannine carries this vision forward with grace and tremendous skill. She is a wonderful role model for women.
Rev Jenny Preston
Jenny is an ordained Deacon in the Uniting Church with a long history of active involvement in the Uniting Church particularly in pastoral care and community development. She has a special interest and training in pastoral care for the elderly. She also has a strong mission in actively supporting children who are disabled, orphaned and vulnerable in Zambia. With her husband John, they have established a small registered charity, Kondanani Zambia Association, with a specific mission to raise funds to provide financial and practical support to children in need and lift schooling rates. Read this incredible story: https://crosslight.org.au/2021/12/16/from-aid-to-z/
Rev Jo Inkpin
Jo is a beacon of light in diversity and inclusion within the church and society at large and is changing the way churches respond to gender and sexual diversity in our world. She is tireless in working to undo the damage that churches collectively have done to queer people of faith (and those not of faith) over many years. Jo is knowledgeable, kind, generous, with a fiercely compassionate fighting spirit. She delivers her message with love and invites people to come along on the journey in the Spirit of Christ’s embrace of all.
Joyce Tangi
Siosiana (Joyce) Tangi is a second Generation Tongan woman and a Field Officer with the Pulse Team in the Synod of NSW/ACT. She is a powerhouse and advocate for faith formation in the first third of life, working to support and connect with young people and their leaders to grow ministry and explore mission in their area. Joyce also works ecumenically and in the interfaith space seeking common ground with other young adults. As a Mentor to the Second Generation team of the Tongan National Conference, she is a passionate supporter of Second and Third Generation migrant young people to grow in faith.
Dr Judith McKay
Dr Judith McKay is a museum curator and historian based in Brisbane with a passion for preserving the history and heritage of the Australian Inland Mission (now Frontier Services). She is the daughter of one of John Flynn’s outback padres, Rev Les McKay, and niece of Flynn’s successor, Rev Fred McKay. She is doing significant work to preserve and promote this key piece of Uniting Church heritage and story, that future generations might know and be inspired by the remarkable story of Flynn and the Australian Inland Mission.
Julia Lennon
Growing up in and around the Oodnadatta community, Julia is Frontier Services’ first-ever female Aboriginal Bush Chaplain. She works tirelessly to walk alongside and bring First and Second Peoples together, and make the same opportunities available to people in Oodnadatta that people living around Australia have - despite the town's isolation. Through practical, pastoral and spiritual care Julia is fostering connection, creating a space for healing and embodying the vision of Frontier Services.
Rev Dr Katalina Tahaafe-Williams
Katalina is an Oceanian womanist theologian and Minister of Nightcliff Uniting Church in Darwin. She has served the world church and the ecumenical movement as a leader in public and contextual theology, ecumenical missiology, inter faith relations, racial justice and multicultural ministry. She has previously worked for the World Council of Churches and as a multicultural consultant. Katalina has been a key leader in the UCA's Tongan community, and is greatly admired and respected across the national UCA and beyond.
Rev Kath Behan
Kath has been an inspiration for others. She is currently Director of Mission Implementation for the Queensland Synod, and has previously been a Church Planter, congregational minister, Pastoral Care Manager and Chaplain. Through the Synod’s Project Plenty program, Kath is encouraging people to invest in the next generation and build capacity of women leaders through mentorship and networks that support women and help the whole Church to flourish. Kath makes room for others to grow and learn with much patience. Many treasure her wisdom, insight and giftedness.
Kelly Skilton
Kelly is a young, creative leader in the Uniting Church and beyond. She is Youth and Young Adults Pastor at Murrumbeena Uniting Church in Victoria, and has been an active member of the UCA’s councils in the Synod of Vic/Tas and nationally. In 2015 she founded the Sonder Collective, an ecumenical and collaborative community designed to enable smaller communities of young people to partner with others to do what they cannot do alone. It gathers 170 people from 35+ churches across seven denominations for bible studies, camps, mission and ministry. Kelly is warm, outgoing and passionate about nurturing faith and discipleship.
Kym Korbe
Kym manages a team focussed on UnitingCare Queensland's Reconciliation Action Plan, and is playing a vital role in the shaping and embedding of covenanting initiatives between First and Second Peoples. She is an extraordinarily gracious person whose passion is to create an environment in which First Nations people can speak their truth in story, culture and leadership. Kym has an incredible capacity to engage in a variety of settings, including governance, business development, leadership, and community engagement. Through Kym's direct leadership and initiative, she has brought together a diverse range of First Nations leaders to explore authentic and fresh ways of being the church in culturally encouraging ways.
Lauren Harkness
Lauren has a gift for bringing people together for mutual support and encouragement. She is the founder and Managing Director of Rise Events + Sanctuary based in Canberra. She is also the creator of Rise Up, a network of women in business. Lauren has created spaces for women to explore together the Christian story and spirituality, to name their experiences of the sacred and to grow in faith and wholeness. Women are finding their way back to their own entrepreneurship because of Lauren's encouragement and support, and a new Christian community is emerging in the space of St Aidan's church. Lauren's vision has been years in gestation and is bearing rich fruit.
Lea Kingdon
Lea has taken a lead in driving the culture and strategic change in the Synod of Queensland and UnitingCare Queensland where she has worked for almost 20 years. Her singular contribution, besides her change management expertise, is her dedication to creating an environment in which the diverse voices across the Synod are given a platform to share their wisdom and contribution to the flourishing of the church. Lea’s capacity to model humility and curiosity allows her to uncover people who are contributing in significant ways to the work of the church, but often unseen and uncelebrated. Lea’s work has and is undoubtedly contributing to significant culture change.
Libby Hogarth
Libby has spent a lifetime dedicated to the welfare of others. While engaged in complex work as a Migration Agent, she is a recognised refugee advocate raising awareness about refugee welfare, human rights, mental health and detention centres. She gives generously of her legal skills and expertise to asylum seekers in detention around Australia and also refugees and asylum seekers in the community, while at the same time she continues to support new arrivals and family reunions. Libby is an active and valued member of Pilgrim Uniting Church in Adelaide where she co-convenes its Mission Development Committee, and is a member of the Synod of South Australia Refugee Advocacy Group.
Rev Liellie McLaughlin
Liellie is a passionate advocate for those who are disadvantaged and a wonderful example of following the way of Jesus with faith in action. Over the past 10 years she has worked extensively with a diverse group of organisations to deepen and widen relationships with many cultures and faith groups. These include ARA (Australian Refugees Association), STTARS (Survivors of Torture and Trauma Rehabilitation Services), Reconciliation SA, Multi-faith SA and Islamic Centre for Improving Understanding between Muslim and Non-Muslim Organisations. She is the Community Connections Coordinator for Pilgrim Uniting Church, a member of the Synod’s Refugee Advocacy Group, Environmental Action Group and Covenanting Committee. She is greatly respected within the UCA and beyond.
Lynne Oates
In her community, Lynne is known to embody the vision of the Uniting Church and even to be instrumental in keeping it alive, as her life and faith has grown organically with an evolving church and society. Beginning her ministry in missionary work, Lynne is now a leader for the Mirboo North congregation where she is greatly admired. Her congregation in regional Victoria punches above its weight in capacity and energy, due to Lynne’s leadership and that of other remarkable women alongside her.
Margaret Cargill
Margaret is an active and valued member of Morialta Uniting Church, where – with particular gifts in the pastoral care of her congregation – she leads the Pastoral Care Mission and Ministry team. She also has a long involvement in the wider Uniting Church, including 10 years on the UnitingWorld Reference Group (then the World Mission Reference Group). She continues to serve the Synod of South Australia. She has a great passion for social justice, is a thoughtful and caring leader and greatly valued in the local and wider church.
Margie Goodluck
As a multi-skilled artist and mixed media painter, Margie is responding to God’s call to share the joy of creativity with others through the colours and compositions of her abstract and unique art. She is a member of Darwin Memorial Uniting Church which she runs art workshops for seniors and blesses the community with colour, art and creation. Margie's generosity of Spirit, her eye for beauty and her joyful sharing are an inspiration to people everywhere, in the church and beyond. She continues to delight in the beauty of God's creation, noticing small details all around her every day, which inspire her to continue painting and creating. Her art is an expression of thanks and glory to God, the source of all joy.
Mary Dixon
Mary is an active member of Crossroads Uniting Church in Werribee, Victoria, and an inspiration to many in her church and community. She has helped in so many different ways to raise awareness about the Uniting Church Covenant with First Peoples and First Peoples reconciliation and justice issues more broadly. She has herself educated and inspired her congregation for more than 40 years! She embodies the Uniting Church value of lifelong learning, growth and faith formation. She is much loved.
Mary Jones
Mary, along with her husband Howard, have been Outback Links volunteers with Frontier Services for a very long time! In recent times they have parked up the four-wheel-drive and caravan from travelling long distances into the outback, but Mary continues to give her time generously. She has volunteered in Frontier Services’ Head Office with Outback Links related administration, speaks in congregations, is a solid advocate at her own church in Terrigal NSW and hosts numerous events there including their annual Great Outback BBQ. We are so grateful for her and Howard's contributions past, present and future, and particularly Mary's in recognition of IWD.
Dr Miriam Pepper
Miriam is a powerhouse in promoting care for creation, eco-theology and environmental ministry within the UCA and beyond. She has worked extremely hard to demonstrate how this ministry is essential to Christian discipleship. Miriam is a longstanding member of Uniting Eco Group and one of the founding members of the Australian Religious Response to Climate Change. She has also made significant contributions to the National Church Life Survey as a researcher, is a research fellow at Australian Catholic University and her PhD focused on Christianity and Sustainable Consumption. Miriam is a dedicated member of South Sydney Uniting Church and a mentor to many engaged in environmental justice.
Myra Cowell
Myra offered leadership over a long period of time maintaining the life of the church community as a lay preacher at Southern Newell Congregation in the Riverina region of NSW. And so much more! She has given her time and service in so many ways, including her service on the Church Council, her contribution to drought aid and raising funds to build a multipurpose building. Now over 80 years of age, Myra continues to offer leadership and nurture the faith and life of the congregation by willing and encouraging others to carry on in new and different ways. She is also a member of the Finley Uniting Church Adult Fellowship Group and last year was among a group recognised for years of dedication and hard work.
Prof Natalie Sims
Natalie is an active and deeply valued member of Brunswick Uniting Church in Victoria where she has offered generous leadership and service over many years. She also curates a popular blog, Singing from the Lectionary, designed to resource worship leaders with good, relevant and inclusive songs and hymns for their services. Updated every week with new music, recordings and honest opinions, it is regularly read every week by hundreds of ministry agents and worship leaders. All of this on top of a vital career as a bone biologist and unit lead in a world-renowned medical research laboratory. Natalie is impacting our Church, community, and world, for the better.
Rev Radhika Sukumar-White
Radhika is a compassionate and dedicated leader and Minister of Leichhardt Uniting Church. She inspires others to be the church in the world, to follow the message of Jesus and to shower the world with love and justice. She does this through the example of her own life and ministry. Her welcome, inclusive and affirming leadership has contributed to LUC being a safe space for queer and gender diverse folk. This has been so impactful for those who have only known exclusion from the church. Her gifts and talents are many and she showers them on the congregation and inspires people to find and share their own. Radhika gives her all to our Church, inspiring others to be leaders full of compassion, connection and courage.
Ros Gepp
Ros is a deeply committed, prayerful woman and valued member of the Emmanuel Uniting Church in Enoggera. She has actively supported the congregation’s Community Helping Hand ministry which provides groceries for local families who require emergency support, coordinating the activities involved and promoting the outreach program. By encouraging support from within the congregation and sharing information in the local community, Ros is helping to make a significant and practical difference to vulnerable people.
Ros March
Ros generously gives of herself to inspire others to contribute their gifts. She is an Elder, member of church council and energiser for young families at Adamstown Uniting Church. She has created a great program of activities for children to engage in services and make social connections. She is a passionate advocate for justice. Ros led efforts to create a ‘Sorry Garden’ in the church grounds recognising those who have been hurt by the church – First Peoples, queer folk and those impacted by sexual abuse. She has used her own story to find liberation for others. A friend to the marginalised, Ros always sees thing from the edge so that those on the edge can be included.
Sarah Lim
Sarah is the National Director of UCA Redress Ltd, the Uniting Church's national vehicle to engage with the National Redress Scheme. She leads the work of the Church nationally in supporting survivors of child sexual abuse through redress. She is deeply committed to the needs of survivors of institutional abuse and restoration of relationships for survivors, the Church and the broader community. Her leadership in advocating for awareness and prevention is crucial to how the Uniting Church lives out its commitments to correct injustices of the past and create a safe church for all.
Rev Sarah Williamson
An ordained Deacon for almost 20 years, Sarah has worked in various congregations and for the Synod of South Australia before taking up her current placement as a Critical Care chaplain in the ICU and Neonatal ICU at Flinders Medical Centre in Adelaide. Known to be a bright and warm presence, she offers unconditional care and compassion to people in some of the most uncertain, difficult and traumatic moments of their lives. She makes time to support and companion all who cross her path, whether patients, family, visitors, staff, colleagues, or volunteers, and treats all she meets with dignity and kindness.
Sonya Cornwell
Sonya is actively involved at Emmanuel Uniting Church in Enoggera, having served as Elder and Church Council Secretary. She regularly sings and leads worship on Sundays and pushes beyond her comfort zone to speak and share in worship. Sonya commits a significant amount of time captaining the Girls' Brigade company, seeking to providing a safe, fun and engaging place for discipleship and growth of girls and young women in the local community.
Suguta Rogoimuri
Suguta is the founder of the Bula Feeding Ministry, an outreach service of Parramatta Mission Leigh Memorial Fijian Congregation. In 2018, Suguta and her matamasumasu (bible study/home group) decided to pool what resources they had to provide a meal and some company to those in need. Others soon noticed and in turn shared what they could, and inspired by Suguta, the ministry has continued to grow. She has said of the ministry that it has opened up the doors to the community to bridge gaps and build up relationships through love. During COVID, the team continue to provide support and supplies to those in need. To see more search BULA Feeding Ministry on Facebook.
International Women's Day 2022
Celebrating the faith, gifts and immense contributions of Uniting Church Women
Terry Norquay
Terry says that love started it all, when 54 years ago she met her husband at what is now St. Michael's Uniting Church in Melbourne and became part of the UCA family. After a time in New Guinea they found a home in the Augustine congregation in Hawthorn, where Terry was involved for nearly 30 years creating varied Sunday services and workshops and facilitating personal development programs. They now worship at St John’s Uniting Church in Philip Island where her love of writing and singing sees her contributing to church life with prayers, stories, and active involvement in the Island Harmony Choir. She helped to maintain the choir through lockdown with great communication and pastoral support for those in isolation.
Wendy Campbell
Wendy is an integral member of the church community with many talents, a caring nature and incredible resilience. She has been an influence and role model that epitomises what feminism and personal growth is all about. She has overcome many difficult things, leaning into her faith in God and continuing to move forward as a strong woman who knew what she stood for and wouldn’t be silenced or pushed aside. She has been a long-time advocate for those who have historically been shunned, is compassionate, focused, driven, independent and has demonstrated many times over that women are as equally capable as anyone else. She is inspiring others to never give up and to always speak up.
Tracey Burton
Tracey is the CEO of Uniting NSW.ACT. She leads courageously and with great passion for both those Uniting serves and the well-being of Uniting staff. During the recent challenges posed by COVID-19 she has provided relentless hope and care for those she leads, and provided calm and courageous advocacy in the face of uncertainty and disruption.
Beryl Blok
Beryl is a woman of deep faith and of prayer, who lives her life quietly, being of service to others and to God. She also happens to be one of the longest-serving members of the Lane Cove Uniting Church, where she has focused her life entirely on helping others from the time it was Lane Cove Methodist Church. She is compassionate, warm hearted and tireless as she makes diverse contributions to the fabric of her church and community. She continues to live out her faith into her 90s, a living inspiration to all that no matter our age we can continue to learn and live fruitful lives of service. She is dearly loved, and we thank God for her life and Christian witness.
Uniting Church Adult Fellowship
When we saw the ‘call for submissions’ for the International Women’s Day this year, we didn’t think of one particular woman! We thought of all those women who have provided ministry over many years across the Uniting Church through their involvement with Uniting Church Adult Fellowship (UCAF), and those who continue to respond to the call from God on their lives to provide witness in their local community while bridging into the wider community and beyond. So we would like to honour all women, wherever they might be who faithfully live out their lives, serving in the vast number of mission and ministry activities of the Uniting Church.
We recognise that many of these women also offer connections to churches and Christian groups across the world, including the World Federation of Methodist and Uniting Church Women. We are proud that there have been two UCAF women who have been elected officers of the WFM&UCW – Joan Stott (World Secretary 1996-2001) and Ann Connan OAM (World President 2011-2016).
UCAF National Committee
We also recognise...
Sharonne Price, for leadership, pastoral care and commitment to Brougham Place Uniting Church and UnitingCare North Adelaide.
Tricia Mileham, for her faithful contribution to New Lambton Uniting Church and tireless work to encourage others in the church and beyond.
Dawn Barrie, for her heart for Christ and ministry to the Caboolture Region Uniting Church and wider community.
Rev Beth Nicholls, for her desire to show God's love and grace for to the community as Project Officer - Mission in South Moreton Presbytery.
Lauren Andris, for her beautiful heart of faith and generous leadership in Brisbane Newlife Uniting Church.
Shirley Behan, for her service to the church in countless ways for more than 65 years.
Rev Dr Denise Champion, for her outstanding contribution to theology, the UAICC and the Uniting Church as an Adnyamathanha woman.
Pamela Jones, for her active contributions to Woodville Uniting, the wider Synod and Wilochra Presbytery.
Rev Natalie Dixon-Monu, for her amazing and hard work leading the Boorondara Community Outreach Mental Health Ministry.
Valmai Harris, a valued member of Kangaroo Flat Uniting Church.
Joyce Loukes, for her committment to serving her church and wider community all her life.
Rev Alexandra (Alex) Sangster, for her multilayered, dynamic and gifted leadership in the Uniting Church and far beyond.
Una Hanlon, for her work, care and mentorship at the Wayside Chapel for more than 10 years.
Gwenda Kerley, for her leadership in congregations and at Presbytery and Synod.
Kirsty Burgu, an accomplished artist, witness to the Christian faith and ministry in the Mowanjum community in the Kimberleys.
Audrey Mann (dec), for her encouragement and inspiration of others and younger women.
Rev Beth Howard (dec), for inspiring others with a loving and compassionate image of God.
Wanita Calyun, for her tireless and inspirational work as the leader of Dusty Feet Mob, an Australia-wide treasure.
Tarlee Leondaris, for the excellent work she has been doing for and with First Peoples and overseas missions.
Rev Sandy Boyce, for a generous and multi-layered contribution to creating momentum towards justice.
Dorothy Creek, for her contributions to Frontier Services Board and the UCA Riverina Presbytery.
Rosemary Costello, for her contributions to Emmanuel Uniting Church Enoggera, hospital chaplaincy and her gift of pastoral care.