History – Officers

(this page is a work in progress – any information will be appreciated)

Presidents

Fr Panagiotis Zoumboulis, Greek Orthodox Church, 2025-2027
Greek Orthodox News announcement
(first appointment of a Greek Orthodox priest to be VCC President)

Rev Deacon Joseph Leach, Catholic, 2023-2025

Dr Graeme Blackman, Anglican, 2021-2023

Fr Shenouda Boutros, Coptic Orthodox, 2019-2021
University of Divinity announcement (plus photo)
Announcement by Coptic Church

Rt Rev Peter Danaher Anglican 2017-2019

Mr Ashok Jacob Mar Thoma 2015-2017

Mr Frank Stuart Roman Catholic 2013-2015
(Ballarat)

Rev Ian Smith Churches of Christ 2011-2013

Rev Jason Kioa (Moderator) Uniting 2009-2011

Captain Kerryn Roberts. Salvation Army 2007-2009

Rev A/Deacon Philip Newman Anglican 2005-2007

Pastor Gordon Wegener Lutheran 2003-2005

Very Rev Peter Kenny Roman Catholic 2001-2003

Rt Rev Fr. Nabil Katchab (Antiochian Orthodox) 1999-2001

Rev Pamela Kerr (UCA Moderator) 1997-1999

1995-1997

Joan Pye (Churches of Christ) 1993-1995

Lt Col Kenneth J Spikin (Salvation Army) 1991 – 1993

Bishop J Stewart 1989-1991 
(10 August 1940 – 2 April 2024)

Fr Peter Cross (Catholic) 1987-1989
(first appointment of a Catholic as VCC President)
Read more here

Rev R Neil Gilmore (Chairman) Churches of Christ
re-elected in 1973
(Vice-Chairmen re-elected in 1973: Bishop G.B.Muston, Prof A.A. Anderson, Very Rev N. Faichney, Prof N. Young)

1948-1973… tbc

1948 – formation of World Council of Churches, Australian Council of Churches, and VCC became a ‘satellite’ of WCC – Victoria’. Note: Prior to 1948, the VCC already existed – see link here

Need to track down Presidents from 1910 to 1973

1909 T. S. B. Woodfull (Methodist)

1908 S. Pearce Carey (Baptist)[13]

1909 – Rev T.S.B. Woodfull

1907 Hermann Herlitz (Lutheran)[12]

1906 James Rickard (Congregationalist) previously secretary

1905 Alexander Stewart (Presbyterian), of Essendon

1904 – (Henry) Lowther Clarke (Anglican), Bishop of Melbourne[11] and later Archbishop of Melbourne

1903 – William H. Fitchett (Methodist)[8][9]
He was later Principal at MLC. 

1902 S. Pearce Carey (Baptist), of the Collins Street church

1901 J. John Halley (Congregational)[7]

1900 – John Meiklejohn (Presbyterian)[6]

1895 – Llewelyn D. Bevan (Congregational)[5]

General Secretary*/Executive Officer

Rev Sandy Boyce Uniting 2022- (UCA)

Rev Ian Smith 2013-2021 (Churches of Christ)

Mr Theo Mackaay February 2009-2013 (Anglican)

Ms Maureen Postma 2001- February 2009 (UCA)

Rev Hamish-Christie-Johnston Uniting 1 July 1995-2000 (UCA)

Rev Douglas Dargaville Anglican 16 January – 30 June 1995 – (part-time interim Acting General Secretary) (Anglican)

Rev Robert Gribben Uniting 1989-Dec 1994 (UCA)

Sister Marylou Moorhead (Catholic)
Executive Secretary/Gen Sec 1982 – 1986 *dates tbc

Rev. Douglas Dargaville 1966-1982 (Anglican)

1962-1966?

Rev David Robinson, General Secretary, 1960-1962
(Presbyterian). Aged 34 when he was appointed.  

Rev H.A.G. Clarke, the first salaried secretary of the VCC
archives show this was in 1953 

1948 to 1966…. tbc

Treasurer

Mr Heiko Koenig 2025 – 

Mr Ashok Jacob Mar Thoma 2020-2025

Ms Lisa Carey Uniting 2018-2020

Captain Gary Hart Salvation Army 2015-2017

(2012-2015)

Captain Kerryn Roberts Salvation Army 2010-2012

Very Rev Peter Kenny Roman Catholic 2004-2010