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The Revd Dr Tim Gaden has been appointed as Rector for the Parish of Maffra.

Tim came to the Gippsland Diocese in early 2022 as Chaplain to Gippsland Grammar. Since then, he has taken on a number of diocesan roles, and been a valued Locum Priest in several parishes, including at Maffra.

Tim brings a wealth of experience to this new position, which will begin at a 0.6 fraction, allowing him to continue his ministry at the Cathedral, and as Ministry Wellbeing and Development (MWD) Coordinator.

With a strong education background, Tim is a gifted teacher in parish, school, and university settings, and these skills have been much appreciated by Lay Readers, EFM participants, and other Gippsland Anglicans with whom he has engaged in recent years. There is also a local connection from ‘way back’, as Tim explains:

"The children of clergy, people say, grow up used to moving from place to place, and sometimes develop a taste for it themselves. That’s certainly true in my case. Both my parents were Anglican priests, who served in country NSW, New York, Melbourne, Adelaide, and Tasmania. My grandfather, also an Anglican priest, started his ministry in Sheffield in the UK but then came to Gippsland as a "Ten Pound Pom", and was briefly Vicar of Moe from 1951-52 before heading north to the Diocese of Bathurst and then further north to the Diocese of Grafton.

"I have ministered in Melbourne, London, Ballarat and the Western District, before now happily landing in Gippsland. I have been lucky enough to work in parishes, schools, universities and theological colleges. Over the years, among other things, I have tutored in philosophy at Monash University, held a postdoctoral position at King’s College London, been Vicar of Battersea, the Dean (Principal) of the Theological School and College Chaplain at Trinity College in Melbourne, the Canon Theologian in the Diocese of Ballarat, Rector of Ararat, served on the ethics committees of Austin Health and Federation University, been Senior Chaplain at Ballarat Grammar School, and Chaplain here at Gippsland Grammar.

"My wife Selina and I are looking forward to becoming part of the friendly rural community in Maffra and Boisdale, something we very much enjoyed together during our years in Ararat. In addition, I am very happy to be making a contribution to the Diocese outside Maffra, continuing my current appointments as Ministry Project Officer at the Cathedral, Diocesan MWD Coordinator, and Examining Chaplain."

Alongside Tim’s presence as a locum, the people of St John’s Maffra and St George’s Boisdale have enjoyed the priestly ministry of Laurie Baker, Heather Cahill, Jim Connelly, and Marilyn Obersby, and the liturgical leadership of the Parish’s Lay Readers. We are grateful also for the capable and dedicated work of the Parish’s lay leaders, which – among other things – allowed the Clergy Appointments Advisory Board time to explore and recommend this exciting appointment.

Tim’s Induction is likely to be in late July, and further details about that will follow soon. Please join me in praying for him and Selina, and for the Parish of Maffra, as together we prepare for this new season of ministry.