Wellspring Community Council

Geoff studied biochemistry and cellular pathology at Sydney University and worked on a research project at St Vincent's Hospital in the area of Immunology.

It was through this time that Geoff wrestled with a call to Ordained Ministry, having been involved in the local Uniting Church as a Lay Preacher, Youth Leader and Sunday School teacher. 

After completing studies at United Theological College, Geoff was placed at Parramatta Mission as the second minister in a growing Parish Mission with 3 congregations and diverse community services. Geoff served in this placement for 7 years and completed a Masters in Theology (Honours)  in Missiology in the Australian context. Geoff moved to Northmead Uniting Church where he was the Minister of a growing congregation for 18 years. During this period of ministry, Geoff was heavily involved with the Sydney Alliance, completing several of their training programs and co-hosting 2 large assemblies, including the Western Sydney Assembly in 2014.

Following the long ministry at Northmead, Geoff became the Team Leader in the Hawkesbury Mission Zone in North Western Sydney, consisting of 6 congregations in this rural context. 

In 2017 Geoff was asked to consider filling the role of Chairperson of the Parramatta-Nepean Presbytery in an interim, voluntary capacity whilst they created a new full time role. In 2018, Geoff was selected to fill the new full time role of Chairperson-Mission Strategist of the Presbytery and to lead them in developing and implementing a mission strategy out of the Presbytery 'Vision 2055.'  Geoff has been in that role since then.

Geoff is married to Susan and the father of Katelyn and Joshua, both living away from home. He has a granddaughter, Sophia, to Katelyn and Andrew. Geoff spends time playing music (saxophone and guitar), loves jazz and is a mad (fanatical?) supporter of the Western Sydney Wanderers Football Club (soccer). He enjoys reading and photography, walking the dogs by the creek and writing reflections and other material.

Joy is an educator and a social justice activist committed to building resilient communities. Joy has taught in disadvantaged schools and  in TAFE NSW where she was a Union representative . She has worked with marginalized communities including caravan park residents, social housing residents  and Aboriginal groups enabling them to organise and have a voice.  

 Joy has been part of the advocacy and development of just policies as Chairperson NSW Baptist Social Issues (10 years), Co-ordinator (caravan) Park and Village Service, Senior Policy Officer with Shelter NSW, Project Officer developing low- income housing partnerships between  church government with Churches Community Housing and  support person to Aboriginal leaders establishing the Aboriginal and Islander Baptist Council. She has provided leadership on boards and committees in the secular and church world at local, state and national level. These have included the NSW  Tenant’s Union, Baptist World Aid Australia, Sydney Alliance National Task force on vulnerable migrants during COVID, Thrive Blue Mountains and Chairperson Blue Mountains Refugee Support Group (BMRSG). Her Qualifications included graduate education qualifications,  MMgt (UTS) and MPhilArch (Syd).(for research on low -income housing)

She currently co-ordinates visiting, connection and support for refugees in closed and community detention for BMRSG, and attends her local Uniting Church.

TREASURER - Ron Brown

Administrator - Warren Talbot

Deputy Co Leader - LisA Wriley

Deputy Co Leader (Leaders Support) - Fiona Green

WELLSPRING AREAS OF CONCERN CONTACT PEOPLE

• Nations Justice AND Reconciliation - NAOMI WOLFE

• ECUMENICAL AND Interfaith - Doug HEWITT AM

• Hospitality - PEGGY Goldsmith

• PEACE AND JUSTICE - JULIE BRACKENREG OAM

• SPIRITUALITY and Worship - Laurel Barr

• SUSTAINABILITY - john Martin

ELECTED COUNCIL MEMBERS

• David MacGregor

• Eleanor Harris

• Anne Magarey

STATE CONTACTS

• QLD - JOHN MARTIN

• NSW - DIANE SPEED OAM

• SA - LYNONA HAWKINS & MICHAEL HILLIER

• WA - Janelle McGregor

• ACT - MARJORIE HOUSTON