New leadership for the Assembly Communications Unit

The Uniting Church Assembly is pleased to announce the appointment of Bethany Broadstock as National Manager - Media and Communications.

Bethany is a former journalist and highly skilled communications professional with experience in a variety of journalism, communications and marketing roles. She is an engaged member of the Uniting Church whose work is driven by a passion for telling the Uniting Church story with conviction and integrity into a changed and changing context.

The National Manager leads the Communications Unit which holds the Assembly's communications strategy, promotes the work of the Assembly, facilitates the national public voice of the Church and the President, works closely with Assembly leaders, liaises with the media, collaborates with a national communicators network and curates stories from across the life of the UCA and its agencies.

Bethany has worked with the Communications Unit since early 2021 and also worked with the Assembly’s Act2 Project Unit from 2022-2024. She has served widely in the councils of the Uniting Church since 2011 and brings a deep understanding of the UCA context and voice to the role alongside strong professional and strategic gifts.

She currently holds a lay ministry role in the Banyule Network of Uniting Churches, which keeps her grounded in the worshipping and discipleship life of the local Uniting Church and reflecting on how national communications can best serve and resource these communities.

Bethany holds a Bachelor of Arts (Journalism), a Bachelor of Theology, a Graduate Certificate of Marketing and Digital Communications and a Graduate Diploma in Digital Marketing Leadership.

Bethany's appointment follows the departure of previous National Manager - Media and Communications, Rebecca Beisler. Rebecca served the Assembly for over 13 years, first as a Public Relations Officer with Frontier Services, and then in communications roles with the Assembly and Assembly Resourcing Unit.

Rebecca was National Manager-Media and Communications from 2021-2024, leading a small but effective team to deliver communications about the work of the Assembly and the life of the Uniting Church. Her time in this role spanned two Assembly meetings and many other highlights including communicating the Assembly’s support for the Voice Referendum.

Prior to this Rebecca was Communications and Resource Officer with the Assembly, working alongside the Multicultural & Cross Cultural and Relations with Other Faiths national committees. Later, as Communications Officer within the ARU, she worked to communicate the new Assembly model, established communication platforms for the Circles of Interest and worked on the first A Vision for a Just Australia.

For 10 years Rebecca was a key resource person for the Assembly’s Building Harmony Iftar Dinners, working closely with leaders in the Affinity Intercultural Foundation.

Throughout her time with the Assembly Rebecca embodied a collaborative leadership style, in recent years establishing regular opportunities for the Uniting Church’s national network of communicators to connect.

Bec has been a widely respected, skilled and effective senior leader who leaves a significant legacy. She goes with the deep thanks of the Assembly and with every good wish for the future as she moves into a teaching career.