Yvonne Gunning
Yvonne grew up in a non-church family in South Western Sydney and became a Christian at a camp at age 12. She trained as a high school teacher and was actively involved in Christian leadership roles in her local church, beach mission and Christian camps. She trained as a Church Army officer (evangelist) and has served for the past twenty four years’ in various Anglican churches including Yagoona, Menai, Baulkham Hills and Figtree she also served for 5 years as a childrens’ ministry consultant and trainer for Anglican Youthworks in Sydney Diocese. She is also a contributing writer for a leadership book on Childrens’ ministry.
From Figtree parish Yvonne led two mission teams to Christchurch New Zealand to assist after the earthquakes. She has served in specialist roles with children and families as well as pastoral care and womens’ ministry.
Yvonne not only has a passion for sharing the gospel with young and old, but also for equipping leaders to do the same. She loves connecting with community and creating bridges for people to be linked into the church community.
Yvonne moved to Canberra Goulburn Diocese 2014 to serve in Bega establishing a ministry with Aboriginal people as well as being a Chaplain at SCAC. She has served at Gundagai & Tumut and is now the rector of Cootamundra Anglican Church.
Yvonne is married to Jeff. She loves to read Gods word and pray and believes her service for Jesus flows from His love. She has a love for preaching, evangelism and healing and deliverance.
Rev’d Colleen Close
The Rev’d Colleen Close was ordained on St Andrew’s Day 1 December 2007 at St Saviour’s Cathedral Goulburn.
Colleen has lived in Cootamundra most of her life. She was baptised and confirmed in Christ Church. Colleen gained a scholarship to attend the Cootamundra Technical College and successfully completed studies in Stenography, English and Business Principles. Colleen married John Close in Christ Church Cootamundra in 1971. They have three adult children and seven grandchildren. Colleen and John are actively involved in Christ Church having been youth group leaders for many years.
Colleen has served as Parish Pastoral Care Co-ordinator, on Lay Pastor’s Council, as Christ Church Parish Office Co-ordinator, on Parish Council, as Lay Minister authorised to act as Lay Chaplain to the Cootamundra Hospital. Colleen has been actively involved in the Cursillo Movement on Secretariat, Servant Community and as Lay Director, Team member and Spiritual Advisor on numerous Cursillo Weekends.
Her lay ministry experience led to a strong call to ordained ministry. Colleen completed a University Certificate in Theology at St Mark’s National Theological Centre in Canberra. Colleen is licenced to Christ Church Cootamundra as Deacon Assistant.
Her primary diaconal ministries include
- Volunteer Chaplain at Cootamundra Southern Cross Care.
- Chaplain: to the Cootamundra Hospital.
- Funerals and Baptisms: in keeping with her role as Deacon Assistant, Hospital Chaplain, and Palliative and Pastoral Carer.
- Deacon in the Liturgy: every second Sunday at 9.00am.
- Sunday @ 11am all age Family Service: Pastoral/Hospitality Team member
- Bible Studies
- Mainly Music: team member
- Healing service team member
- Pastoral care
Father Bill Pryce ( retired)
Father Bill Pryce was Cootamundra’s parish priest for nine years and has celebrated over 60 years in the priesthood.
Father Pryce was Cootamundra’s parish priest for nine years, and also has spent time in Junee, Wagga and Albury.
Anglican priests are retired once they’re 65 but Father Pryce told his bishop he was “allergic to retirement” and since then he’s worked around the state including in places like Broken Hill, Wellington and Forbes.
“I could have retired to anywhere in Australia through the church’s retirement system,” he said.