Volunteers play a crucial role across Newcastle Anglican – in our parishes, schools, and agencies.
As part of National Volunteer Week celebrations, we highlighted just a few of our many incredible volunteers within our parish communities.
Kerry Priestley, St Peter’s East Maitland
Kerry Priestley’s life is busy enough driving grandchildren to sport and being a warden at St Peter’s East Maitland.
Yet, each week for a number of years she has helped lead an amazing team of volunteers of the St Peter’s Parish Pantry who partner with Oz Harvest to feed 40 to 60 families in need.
Kerry and the team are tireless as they receive more than 600 kilograms of food to distribute to clients, most of whom she knows by name.
Always bearing a big smile, Kerry exemplifies volunteering as part of her faith.
Kevin Short, St Peter’s East Maitland
For many Anglicans, making it to church gets more difficult with age.
And, if it wasn’t for Kevin Short at St Peter’s East Maitland, there’s a chance Betty King, Jean McNickle, Phyllis Giles and Maureen Cummins might not make it at all.
Each week, Kevin makes two trips to and from church to make sure these faithful women can attend the weekday Eucharist.
For Rector Father Andrew Eaton, this is some of the most important volunteering in the parish. It ensures some of the more vulnerable parishioners remain connected to the worshipping community, the Eucharist, and their church.
Joyce Middleton, St Matthias Denman
Joyce has been a Christian for many years, having started by attending church with her grandmother and finding that it was different to how she imagined (in a good way).
She was confirmed at age 24 and soon started volunteering, teaching scripture in school for 20 years. Her love for sharing scripture led to Joyce becoming a Lay Liturgical Assistant, serving in Denman.
She leads morning prayer and shares communion by extension with those unable to come to church. She enjoys leading worship and enabling other people to come into the presence of God.
Volunteering brings Joyce immense joy, and she would encourage others to try it. She is happy to support them in any way she can.
Margaret Jenkins, St Matthias Denman
Margaret has always had a passion to teach scripture. It started at just 14 years old when she taught the little children in Sunday School, and she now leads Bible Study.
Margaret also has volunteer-shared caretaker responsibilities for the church hall and helps out at the op shop. She uses her gift of music to help with a sing-along at the local hospital and Merton Court Aged Care service.
She has played the organ and piano in church for 40 years. As a Licensed Lay Leader, it is her joy to preach.
She also delivers Meals on Wheels once a month.
Margaret would encourage anyone who is thinking about volunteering to give it a try. She says you will make new friends and learn new skills whilst using the gifts God has given you.
Frances Poole (known as Fran), St Matthias Denman
Fran is a Licensed Lay Leader.
She sets things up for church on a Sunday, reads the prayers and the Bible, and leads morning prayer.
As a hospital visitor, she takes the reserved sacrament to those in hospital and others living at Merton Court Aged Care service.
Fran also helps out at the op shop four days a week. She says that volunteering is her life.
To anyone thinking about volunteering, Fran says they would receive a warm welcome and would soon feel at home with the team.
Robyn Constable, St Matthias Denman
Robyn was born in Denman and raised as a Christian.
She coordinates the op shop and is known as a problem solver. She says that she has a wonderful team of volunteers who help to make the op shop run smoothly.
Robyn also helps with the monthly sing-along at the hospital and is a hospital visitor.
To anyone who is thinking about volunteering, Robyn says they will find a warm welcome, interesting work, and good company.
Rodgers Frew, St John’s Newcastle
Rodgers became a volunteer to take on the role of sacristan.
She enjoys setting up the alter for mass, and taking care of all the linens. She cares for the chalices, the glasses, and candles.
Rodgers also shares slides so everyone can follow mass and ensures it goes online for those who are unable to make it to St John’s Church.
Helping in this way makes her feel good – sharing God’s word and actions.
National Volunteer Week goes from 18-24 May.
The theme for 2026 – Your Year to Volunteer – honours the contributions of volunteers and invites people across Australia to make a year of meaningful involvement in ways that work for them.
This year is a moment to thank those who already give their time and to invite others to discover how volunteering can create connection, purpose, and lasting positive change.
Are you interested in volunteering with us? Learn more here: https://newcastleanglican.org.au/volunteering-with-us/.
