First female Indigenous Archdeacon

Reconciliation Australia congratulates Biripa woman Karen Kime on her recent ordination as the first female Aboriginal archdeacon in the Anglican Church in Australia.

Co-Chair Dr Tom Calma said the appointment shows that the Anglican Church is committed to building better relationships between the Church and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians.

“Archdeacon Kime is a strong believer in reconciliation and has devoted her life to creating better opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians,” Dr Calma said.

“She is passionate about the needs of Aboriginal people living on the land — and it’s great to see the Anglican Church embracing its Indigenous leaders.”

As Archdeacon for Indigenous Ministry and Manager for Indigenous Services, Culture and Education, Archdeacon Kime will work across three dioceses in the ACT and NSW to identify opportunities for new Anglicare services to Indigenous communities.

Her role will also enable better pathways for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples into ministry.

Archdeacon Kime served for over 25 years in Anglican parishes across the Riverina spending the past 18 months as the acting rector at St Johns Anglican Church in Wagga Wagga before her recent appointment to Archdeacon.

She has worked as a lecturer at Charles Sturt University where she wrote the first Aboriginal studies subjects for those studying to be primary school teachers and social workers.

She was the first Aboriginal woman to be ordained as a priest in New South Wales.

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Paul House with gum leaves and smoke
Paul Girrawah House

Paul Girrawah House has multiple First Nation ancestries from the South-East Canberra region, including the Ngambri-Ngurmal (Walgalu), Pajong (Gundungurra), Wallabollooa (Ngunnawal) and Erambie/Brungle (Wiradyuri) family groups.

Paul acknowledges his diverse First Nation history, he particularly identifies as a descendant of Onyong aka Jindoomang from Weereewaa (Lake George) and Henry ‘Black Harry’ Williams from Namadgi who were both multilingual, essentially Walgalu-Ngunnawal-Wiradjuri speaking warriors and Ngunnawal–Wallaballooa man William Lane aka ‘Billy the Bull’ - Murrjinille.

Paul was born at the old Canberra hospital in the centre of his ancestral country and strongly acknowledges his First Nation matriarch ancestors, in particular his mother Dr Aunty Matilda House-Williams and grandmother, Ms Pearl Simpson-Wedge.

Paul completed a Bachelor of Community Management from Macquarie University, and Graduate Certificate in Wiradjuri Language, Culture and Heritage and Management from CSU.

Paul provided the Welcome to Country for the 47th Opening of Federal Parliament in 2022. Paul is Board Director, Ngambri Local Aboriginal Land Council, Member Indigenous Reference Group, National Museum of Australia and Australian Government Voice Referendum Engagement Group.  

Paul works on country with the ANU, First Nations Portfolio as a Senior Community Engagement Officer

Acknowledgement of Country

Reconciliation Australia acknowledges Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing  connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures; and to Elders past and present. 

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples should be aware that this website contains images or names of people who have passed away.

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