People

People

Manningham Uniting Church is made up of an amazing group of people. The offerings that people provide cover a wide range of skills and talents.

While we do have employed ministry and administration staff, the time and the passion offered by those in volunteer positions help create a space that is fulfilling and engaging for all.

Minister of the Word

Swee Ann Koh

Rev Swee Ann Koh was ordained as Uniting Church Minister of the Word on December 13th, 1991.  His ministry focus at Manningham Uniting Church is senior adults.  He is a Chinese from Singapore. He has been living in Melbourne since 1983. According to Swee Ann, “The first thing you must do is to forget that I am Chinese and second thing you must never forget that I am Chinese.” Swee Ann has a passion for social justice, inclusive diversity, building…
Playgroup Coordinator

Chris Bairstow

Chris has been the Playgroup coordinator at Manningham Uniting Church since 2016. As a former Primary School teacher before starting work with children and families in the Uniting Church over 20 years ago, she am passionate about the value of Playgroups to children and their families. Being a mother and grandmother she understand the challenges and joys of families. Each week she loves being able to provide a special Playgroup experience with stimulating activities as well as providing support to…
Children Youth and Families

Sally Apokis

Sally brings to Manningham UC in this fixed term role focusing on Children Youth and Families, her life’s passion working with local communities, schools and churches across Melbourne and the UK as a children, youth and family minister, teacher and chaplain. As an ordained deacon taking a vow to minister for peace, justice and reconciliation these goals provide grounding and the guiding light for her work with the Manningham community. Sally is a ‘people person’ who loves nothing more than…
Pastoral Care Coordinator

Con Apokis

Reverend Dr Con Apokis is an ordained minister since 1988. He has contributed in chaplaincy, theological education and leadership training.  His main focus as supply minister will be to provide and facilitate pastoral care.  His background is Greek and his journey as a Christian was grounded  in the Greek Orthodox Church.  The focus on God as Trinity, God as community, highlights the importance of community for all of us. God in Jesus points to the divine priority for those who doing it tough.  To…
Rental and Facility Coordinator

Sam Keller

Born and raised in the leafy outer eastern suburbs, Sam has called Melbourne home for the past 34 years. Together with her husband, they are raising two young children. She enjoys reading over a strong coffee, traveling with her family in their caravan and keeping active. Having spent the past 10 years working within the Real Estate Industry, Sam knows the importance of building strong interpersonal relationships. She prides herself on her strong communication skills and her ability to problem…
Redgum Cafe Manager

Lisa Chen

Lisa graduated with a business bachelor’s degree from RMIT. She has extensive work experience in the hospitality industry. Especially experience on catering for functions and events in the multiple corporate sites in the past year. Lisa is passionate about her work, Because she love’s what she does. Lisa’s a people person and loves to meet new people and learn about their lives and their background. Also, Lisa is a barista. Her purpose is to make her customers’ day that little…
Operations Manager

Moses Lee

Moses Lee was born in Singapore, studied in Oregon, USA and migrated to Melbourne, Australia in 2010.  Married to Yen Ming, they have three children, Monica, Brendan and Ian.  Prior to serving at Manningham Uniting Church (MUC), he was in the publishing industry for almost 30 years. As the Operations Manager, his work can be summed up as the liaison person for the day-to-day running of the Church.  He serves in the Ministry and Administration HUB, the heartbeat of the…
The Hub Admin team

Ruth Hodges

Ruth is a retired pharmacist who since retiring gains an enormous amount of satisfaction in maintaining an active participation in church life and fulfilling a voluntary administration role with our church. The most time consuming part of her role is editing the MUC Monthly Magazine. Ruth and her husband Bob have three children and five grandchildren and their family benefitted from living both in New Zealand and three American States before returning to Australia in 1985. They have been involved…
The Hub Admin team

Jeanette Bernet

Jeanette has been associated with Manningham Uniting Church for over 40 years and enjoyed being part of our former Churches – starting at Doncaster East Uniting Church in George Street, Doncaster East. Jeanette and her husband Ray have been married for 50 years and have 3 sons and 4 grandsons and enjoy spending time with them all. They moved to Doncaster East in 1976 . After a period of time they moved to Lower Plenty for a short time but…
MUC Culture of Safety Contact Person

Lynda Anderson

Family is very important to Lynda, she is married and have 2 adult children and 4 grandchildren. Her working life was as an Occupational Therapist predominantly with special needs children. Lynda is currently involved with Family@10 service, MUC Pilgrim Patchworkers, Friday Play Group and she has been involved with children’s ministry for over 30 years in a wide variety of capacities. Her interests include reading, quilting, gardening and grandchildren. The Culture of Safety Person’s role involves 2 aspects:- Being the…