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ANGLICAN |
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ANGLICAN |
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Overview |
The Archdeacons
Principal Chaplain Eric Burton, CSC, RAN Principal Chaplain Eric Burton was born in Malta in 1951, the son of a Royal Navy sailor. He joined the RAN as an electrical sailor in 1968 after emigrating from England and served for 6 years, which included time on Her Majesty’s Australian Ships Melbourne and Stalwart, and time at the Navy Transmitting Station Belconnen. After a religious conversion in the RAN he left to begin training for the ordained ministry in the Anglican Church in 1974 completing his studies in 1977. He served as a parish minister in Wagga Wagga, Temora, Bribbaree and Bodalla/Narooma, all in NSW. Rejoining the RAN in 1988 as a chaplain he served for five years at HMAS Cerberus followed by stints in HMAS Westralia as fleet chaplain and HMAS Coonawarra. Advanced to Senior Chaplain in 1998 he served as Fleet Bases Senior Chaplain and Maritime Command Chaplain. In February 2003 the then Senior Chaplain Burton was appointed as the Director General Chaplains – Navy and collated as Archdeacon to the Navy in March 2003. He was awarded the Conspicuous Service Cross in the 2006 Australia Day Honours. Principal Chaplain Burton is married to Lynda and they have four children and one grandson. He enjoys table tennis and reading.
Chaplain Geoffrey Claude Webb was born in Bowral NSW and grew up and was educated in the neighbouring Southern Highlands town of Moss Vale. After completing school he worked on the family dairy farm. Interspersed with that he served as a National Serviceman in 1969 and during 1981-82 was a member of 4 Bn RNSWR. In 1985 he entered Moore Theological College as a candidate for ordination in the Anglican Diocese of Sydney. He was ordained in February 1988 and was posted as the curate to his home town of Moss Vale where he served until 21 January 1991 when he enlisted in the ARA as a Chaplain. His first posting was to DSU Liverpool for service at SME and then Moorebank Logistic Group (now DNSDC). In 1995 he was posted to 5/7 RAR and in that year visited Rifle Company Butterworth. In July he went to the UK on Exercise Long Look to serve with 3 UK Div at Bulford and then 1 Royal Tank Regiment at Tidworth. At the end of 1995 Chaplain Webb transferred to the Army Reserve and was posted as the Reserve Chaplain to the newly formed 4 RAR which, in 1997, became 4 RAR Commando. During this time he was the Associate Minister in the Parish of Denistone East/Marsfield with responsibility for St George’s Church Marsfield. In February 1999 he reenlisted in the ARA and was posted to 1 Field Hospital at Holsworthy on promotion to Chaplain 2 (Major). On 20 September 1999 Chaplain Webb deployed to East Timor as part of Interfet with the Forward Surgical Team (Light) which became in October FST (Heavy) with the arrival of the remainder of the Hospital. In 2001 Chaplain Webb was posted to RMC. In 2004 he was promoted to Chaplain 3 (Lieutenant Colonel) and posted as the Senior Chaplain HQLSF (now 17 CSS BDE). At the beginning of 2007 he was posted as the Senior Chaplain HQ Land Warfare Development Centre. Chaplain Webb was collated Archdeacon to the Australian Army on 18 November 2007, and accepted the appointment of Head of Denomination-Anglican from 1 January 2008. Chaplain Webb holds the degrees of Bachelor of Theology 2nd Class Honours and a Master of Arts (Theology.). His interests include history (particularly military history), science fiction and fantasy, and movies (especially old war movies, although his all time favourite movie is Ben Hur). His theological interests are in the area of Biblical Studies and Ancient Greek. Chaplain Webb is married to Ann. They have four adult children; David, Melissa, Amy and Katherine and one granddaughter Emily.
The Archdeacon to the Air Force Kevin Russell was born in Nottingham, England in 1957 and migrated with his parents to Sydney in 1964. He was educated in French’s Forest, Sydney. During his High School years, Kevin was introduced to Jesus Christ and the Christian faith. In 1982 he commenced studies towards becoming a minister in the Anglican Church. His first Church appointment was as assistant minister at Richmond, NSW, in 1986. During this time Kevin both met his wife, Debra and became interested in ministry within the military context. Kevin joined the RAAF towards the end of 1987 and has served as Anglican Chaplain at RAAF Edinburgh, Pearce, Richmond, East Sale and Williamtown. While at Williamtown, he spent some time in East Timor. While he was at RAAF Pearce, Hannah and Daniel were born.Between 2003 and 2007, Kevin served as Director Chaplaincy-Training Command and later Air Force Training Group. During this time, Kevin completed his Master of Ministry and published a book entitled Pastoral Support for Military Chaplains. While he was in this position, considerable change occurred within the career structure of military chaplains, and for the first time, specific ministry training was introduce on an ADF basis for military chaplains. Kevin was in the position to influence the development of this training from an Air Force perspective. Throughout their many postings, Kevin and Debra have maintained close ties with the life of the local church. Kevin moved from Air Force Training Group to Air Command in 2008 and has taken on the additional role of Anglican Head of Denomination. He was collated Archdeacon on 6 April 2008. As Archdeacon, Kevin leads and represents the Anglican component of Air Force Chaplaincy. His vision is that Anglican RAAF chaplaincy be known for its close working ties with other denominations, its professionalism, particularly in service to RAAF members and their dependants, and its strong Christian identity. |
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