Rev Andrew Syme has been appointed as the General Secretary of the Uniting Church WA. He began his role on Monday 17 May, and will stay in the position until the 45th Annual Meeting of the Synod of WA, in September this year.

Rev David de Kock retired as General Secretary on Monday 31 May after five years in the role. Andrew comes to the role with a wealth of experience with the Uniting Church, most recently as Executive Officer Schools and Residential Colleges for the Uniting Church WA and Interim Principal of Tranby College. He has also served as Deputy Headmaster of Wesley College, Headmaster of Scotch College, Principal of Caulfield Grammar School in Melbourne and as a previous member of the Synod Standing Committee.

Susy Thomas, Moderator of the Uniting Church WA, announced the decision to the church.

“The Uniting Church WA is blessed that Andrew has faithfully responded to this call to be the General Secretary, along with our wonderful staff and volunteers of the Uniting Church Centre who will continue to work together to discern God’s will for the church in Western Australia.

“Please uphold David and his wife, Margaret, and Andrew and his wife, Joan during this time. Please also continue to pray for our church during this time of transition as the Synod Standing Committee works to recommend a new General Secretary to the Synod.”

The Synod Standing Committee has now started a process of recruiting a new General Secretary, with a name hoping to be placed before the Synod of WA, in September.