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]

Simon Hansford
BA, BTh.
Moderator of the
Uniting Church in Australia, Synod of New South Wales and the ACT
In office
29 September 2017 (2017-09-29) – 14 September 2023 (2023-09-14)
Preceded byRev. Myung Hwa Park
Succeeded byRev. Faaimata Havea Hiliau
Personal details
Born (1963-06-03) 3 June 1963 (age 61)
Sydney, Australia
SpouseFiona Hansford
RelationsRichard Hansford (father)
Rupert Grove (grandfather)
Children2 daughters
EducationNewington College
United Theological College,
North Parramatta
OccupationMinister

Birth and family

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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]

Education

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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.

Clerical life

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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.

Marriage and children

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Hansford is married to Fiona and they have two daughters, Rachel and Miriam.[10]

References

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  1. ^ "Moderator Rev. Simon Hansford". Uniting Church in Australia Synod of NSW & ACT. Retrieved 29 September 2017.
  2. ^ The Northern Daily Leader Simon Hansford leads case for drug law reform Retrieved 7 June 2024.
  3. ^ The Guardian We will save lives in regional Australia by treating drug use as a health issue, not a criminal one Retrieved 7 June 2024.
  4. ^ SMH Tension over church stances on Voice Retrieved 7 June 2024.
  5. ^ NSW Communities and Justice Retrieved 7 June 2024.
  6. ^ Australian Dictionary of Biography – Rupert Howard Grove (1906–1982) Retrieved 24 January 2017,
  7. ^ History of McCoy, Grove and Atkinson 1887—2014 Archived 31 May 2017 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved 24 January 2017.
  8. ^ Newington College Register of Past Students 1863-1998 (Syd, 1999) pp 82
  9. ^ Daily Liberal – Reverend Hansford to step down from St Andrew's pulpit Retrieved 8 November 2016.
  10. ^ Insights – Rev. Simon Hansford is Moderator Elect Retrieved 8 November 2016.