An ordained Baptist minister and as an experienced chaplain across health care, education, and professional sporting organisations, Gary brings a grounded experience to the teaching practice in pastoral care.

After graduating from the University of Melbourne with a Bachelor of Commerce, with majors in Accounting, Economics and Commercial Law, Gary taught in government secondary schools. Gary returned to study theology during this time, completing an honours degree culminated in a treatise on the Christology of Mark’s Gospel. Following the premature birth of his third child, Gary undertook a research project into the impact on parents of infants born at less than 28 weeks gestation and weighing less than 1000 grams.

Gary continues his interest in research in Chaplaincy and Pastoral Care, with particular reference to pastoral care in the wider community, seeking to engage with spirituality in the broader sense, and amongst those with no connection to church. Gary serves as Deputy Chair of the Human Research Ethics Committee of the Royal Women’s Hospital, and as a director of a number of not-for-profit organisations. Gary has been a contributor to the Age faith column over the past 20 years.

Gary has taught introductory pastoral care, pastoral care in grief and loss, introduction to chaplaincy, chaplaincy skills and in pastoral ethics.

Gary has pastored in Baptist churches over the past 30 years, leading through times of transition and renewal, giving attention to the pastoral structures, the management and leadership structures and culture, and leading building projects. He was instrumental in reforming the professional association of Baptist Ministers in the early 2000s. He has made contributions as a speaker to school ceremonies and assemblies, and other community organisations.

University Appointments

Adjunct Lecturer (Trinity College Theological School)