The Venerable Stephen Pollard: Born and raised in Lancashire in the UK I have now enjoyed life in Australia since relocating here in 2010. I have two children who had moved to Australia before I did. I emigrated to Australia with my first wife, Janet to be reunited the family after our first granddaughter was born. Janet, my wife of 34 years, died suddenly in January 2014, only three years after having emigrated.
I am now happily remarried to Angela, the wedding having taken place at my previous parish, All Saints in Rosebud, in December 2018. Angela was born in Sydney but was raised in Ramsgate in Kent, UK. She has lived in Perth for over 30 years and has a son who still lives there. We met quite by chance when Angela was staying in Rosebud with on of my parishioners. Between us we have eight grandchildren, five from my daughter, two from my son, and one from Angela's son. A few years ago I had the pleasure of becoming an Australian Citizen, although I still sounds like a Lancastrian!
Ministry Following two years of pre-theological training on The Aston Training Scheme, Fr Stephen studied at the College of the Resurrection, Mirfield, in the UK. The College is set in the grounds of the Community of the Resurrection, an Anglican monastic community in the Benedictine tradition. Training was more than just academic learning and became a way of life, as study was regularly punctuated by the ringing of bells calling students away from studies for prayer and for mass. He served his curacy at St. Matthew's, Little Lever in the Diocese of Manchester UK before becoming vicar of of St. Peter's, Westleigh in the same Diocese. Fr. Stephen also became vicar of St Paul's, Westleigh, in addition to his responsibilities at St. Peter's, where he served for two years prior to emigrating to Australia. In December 2010 Fr Stephen became vicar of All Saints, Rosebud with St. Katherine's, McCrae where he served for a little over 10 years, and was Inducted as the Vicar of All Saints Newtown & Geelong West on 15th June 2021. In June 2023 I became Archdeacon of Geelong.
Reverend Carlie Hannah is one of our Associate Priests. She has been a leader in the Movement for the Ordination of Women in the Anglican Church, and one of the first women to be ordained in Melbourne Diocese in 1983. She has led a number of parishes, both in Australia and in New Zealand. Carlie recently took vows for a Consecrated Celibate Life, and is particularly interested in meditative prayer and development of the spiritual life.
Ministry is a shared task in this parish, with competent lay people who take up many tasks. Our elected leadership group, the Parish Council, consists of 10 lay people who undertake various leadership roles. Portfolios are led by different people in the areas of Mission, Finances, Communication & Pastoral Care.