LAYWOMEN, DEACONS, PRIESTS AND BISHOPS
Deacons were first ordained in 1988 in the Brisbane Diocese
Debra Mullins (1957–)
A judge of the Supreme Court of Queensland since 2000, Debra Mullins has appointments at Griffith University, the Australian association of women judges, the Anglican Church of Australia and is Chancellor of the Diocese of Brisbane.
Ann Solari (1958–)
The Reverend Dr Ann Solari is a GP and Deacon in the Diocese of Brisbane. Her ministry is as a doctor to the homeless and underprivileged.
The Right Rev’d Alison Taylor (1953–)
The first woman consecrated bishop in Brisbane in 2013 and served as Assistant Bishop for the Southern Region. She is currently working on a PhD on what the commission means for the operations of the Anglican Church.
Carol Palmer
Rev’d Carol Palmer, Anglican priest: My Domestic Violence Story
WOMEN OF DIVERSITY
The ordination of women did not end the struggle for Anglican women. LGBTQIA+, transgender women, abused women, other ethnic and faith groups and women in governance roles remain live issues. Women are still underrepresented in senior Church roles.
Josephine Inkpin (1960–)
Priest and transgender woman. The Revd Dr Josephine Inkpin has shared in many wonderful ministries in her native England and, since 2001, in Australia – including as a staff member of the National Council of Churches in Australia, and General Secretary of the NSW Ecumenical Council, Rector of St Luke Toowoomba, and, more recently, Lecturer in Church History and Senior Tutor at St Francis (theological) College in Brisbane
Roslyn Clifton (1957 – )
Priest and Educator
“The best thing I have seen as a Christian is the Royal Commission into Institutional Reponses to Child Sexual Abuse and my story will explain why.”
INDIGENOUS WOMEN
It is recorded that when the settlers and Christian missionaries came to Australia in the late 19th century they regarded the indigenous population as ‘heathen’, and thus indigenous language, culture, spirituality and religion were forbidden. Rigorous evangelisation took place. It is only very recently that Indigenous people are recovering their sprituality and linking it with their Christian faith1
1. Deverill GW. Contemplating country: More Gondwana Theology. Wipf and Stock Publishers, Oregon USA. 2023.
The Rev’d Alex Gater (1944-)
First Aboriginal woman priest in the Diocese of Brisbane. Alex Gater was born in Brisbane but as a child lived with her grandparents in Cherbourg. Her grandparents were founding members of the Anglican Church there. Alex experienced considerable racism, particularly on her move to Brisbane as a young woman. In 2003 she became the diocese’s first Aboriginal woman priest.
Dr Aunty Rose Elu (1957–)
Aunty Rose Elu is a Torres Strait Islander campaigner for climate change action as it affects the Torres Strait. She successfully advocated for the recognition of Torres Strait Islander traditional adoptions. She is also a translator.
Read further on the journey of Women’s History in the Church
You are on Page 7: The Way Forward
1 Women in Brisbane Diocese 2 Women’s Organisations 3 Early Women’s Missionaries
4 Emerging Leaders 5 MOW 6 Ordination Achieved