Simon Hansford BA, BTh. | |
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Moderator of the Uniting Church in Australia, Synod of New South Wales and the ACT | |
In office 29 September 2017 –14 September 2023 | |
Preceded by | Rev. Myung Hwa Park |
Succeeded by | Rev. Faaimata Havea Hiliau |
Personal details | |
Born | Sydney,Australia | 3 June 1963
Spouse | Fiona Hansford |
Relations | Richard Hansford (father) Rupert Grove (grandfather) |
Children | 2 daughters |
Education | Newington College United Theological College, North Parramatta |
Occupation | Minister |
Simon Richard Hansford (born 3 June 1963) is an Australian Uniting Church minister who served as Moderator of the Uniting Church in Australia,Synod of New South Wales &ACT between 2017 and 2023. [1] He is known for his advocacy of changing drug laws in New South Wales [2] [3] for his support of the 2023 Australian Indigenous Voice referendum [4] and that there is there is no place for domestic and family violence in his church. [5]
Hansford was born in Sydney,the son of Barbara (née Grove) and Richard Hansford. His maternal grandfather was Rupert Grove (1906–1982),of whom the Australian Dictionary of Biography states:"in the progression towards the union of the Congregational,Methodist and Presbyterian churches in Australia,Grove made a decisive impact." [6] Rupert Grove and his son-in-law,Richard Hansford,were partners in the Sydney legal firm McCoy,Grove &Atkinson. [7]
Hansford attended Newington College (1970–1980) commencing in the Preparatory School at Lindfield. [8] He studied for the ministry at the United Theological College (1988-1990) at North Parramatta,which is now a part of Charles Sturt University.
His first ministry placement was in Dubbo,New South Wales,in 1991. After 12 years in Dubbo [9] he spent three years in Queanbeyan. He then served as Presbytery Minister in north-western NSW for seven years before his 2012 appointment as the Minister of Southside Uniting Church in Tamworth.
Hansford is married to Fiona and they have two daughters,Rachel and Miriam. [10]