The Rev Gregory Clifton will return to Sydney from Tasmania after 11 years, and to the suburb where he was born almost 60 years ago, taking up the position of Rector at St Andrew’s, Lakemba.

Mr Clifton moved to St John’s, Launceston as Rector in 1993. During that time the church introduced a contemporary service and restructured the church building to fit the service.

In that time the parish helped settle 19 refugee families. “We have a very strong refugee support group in the parish in Launceston,” Mr Clifton says. From 1995 to 2000, Mr Clifton was also the Archdeacon of Launceston.

Archdeacon of the Georges River Region, Geoff Huard is delighted that Mr Clifton has accepted a position back in Sydney.

“I appreciate Greg’s willingness to take up the challenge of ministry in a highly multicultural area. There’s a very loving congregation ready to welcome him and help him with the adjustment,” Archdeacon Huard said. “We do need the match of experience and wisdom, energy and new ideas. This kind of move helps build the experience base of ministry in the Region.”

Mr Clifton has previous experience in the Georges River Region, having served at Fairfield from 1980 to 1988.