National Anglican Bishops' Meeting Morning Tea

The Primate of the Anglican Church of Australia, and Bishop for Canberra and Goulburn, The Right Reverend Dr Mark Short; Archbishop of Brisbane, The Most Reverend Jeremy Greaves KCSJ; Archbishop of Perth, The Most Reverend Kay Goldsworthy AO; Archbishop of Melbourne; The Most Reverend Ric Thorpe; Assistant Bishops representing Southern Queensland, The Right Reverend Cam Venables, The Right Reverend John Roundhill and The Right Reverend Sarah Plowman; General Secretary of the General Synod Office in Sydney, Ms Juliet Wenden;  distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen.

I acknowledge the Original Custodians of the lands around Brisbane, the Turrbul and Jagera people, and pay my respects to Elders past, present and emerging, and to the First Nations people here this morning.

I am delighted to welcome you all to Government House today for Morning Tea.

It’s the first time in my term as Governor that we have had this pleasure, and indeed the first time that such a gathering has been possible since 2019 when my predecessor, His Excellency Paul de Jersey, hosted a reception here during the conference of Deans held in Brisbane that year.

On behalf of all Queenslanders, it is my pleasure to extend a warm, ‘Sunshine State’ welcome to those of you who have come here from other states and from the remote Dioceses of the Queensland Province – I know you have already had a productive and inspiring three days together, including travelling by bus to Grafton for the installation of The Right Reverend Tiffany Sparks as Bishop of Grafton, and I take this opportunity to congratulate Reverend Sparks on her installation.

I also commend the Right Reverend Dr Mark Short on the energy and drive he has exhibited since taking up his role as Primate of Australia four months ago.

Change is an important opportunity for renewal and refreshment, and that makes it an exciting time for the Anglican Church here in Australia. At the same time, internationally, in ten days’ time, we will see the most significant change in the governance of the church in 1,459 years when Sarah Mulhally is formally installed as the first woman ever appointed as Archbishop of Canterbury!

With International Women’s Day celebrated earlier this month, I’m sure you will all join me in congratulating her and wishing her well but, as everyone here is only too aware, she is beginning her tenure at a challenging time.

I know you are having a stimulating and valuable meeting, with the opportunity to meet and pray with peers, away from the daily pressures of your calling, to discuss issues and concerns, to confer with colleagues from other dioceses, and to consider responses to challenges.

I wish you well for the remainder of your time together, for the 19th session of the General Synod in August, and for the busy year ahead.