Jeremy Halcrow has resigned as Managing Editor of Southern Cross to take up one of the national Anglican Church’s most senior media roles.
He has been appointed Director of Communications and Strategic Partnerships, a newly created position based in Canberra.
“The timing of this move is perfect, as the future of our diocesan newspaper is now assured” Mr Halcrow says. “After weathering the cutbacks to our Diocesan Synod grant, 2010 has been a good year with solid support. It’s time for someone else to take the editorial reigns who can bring fresh energy and vision.”
The role has twin responsibilities.
It is a senior executive management position in the branch of Anglicare that covers the Dioceses of Canberra/Goulburn, Bathurst and the Riverina. Their services cover the ACT and regional NSW from Broken Hill to Bega.
He will also be media advisor to the Bishop of Canberra and Goulburn, Stuart Robinson, setting the communication priorities for that Diocese’s mission goals.
In his regular video message, Bishop Robinson expressed his “delight” at the appointment adding that “his expertise is something we really need”.
Mr Halcrow says his new role brings together his passion for mission, as well as other skills and interests.
He was previously Public Affairs Manager at Anglicare Sydney.
During his past five years at Southern Cross he has won the Australasian Religious Press Associations best feature award three times and been runner up once.
His 2010 winning article was an indepth look at the impact of the GFC and subsequent Rudd Government stimulus package on the steel-producing Illawarra region, including the increased pressures on the local Anglicare service.
He has also worked as a public relations and marketing consultant to a number of organisations, including national Anglican mission agency Church Army.
His experience as an author is highly diverse, and is co-author of an indepth social research papers for the Diocese’s Social Issues Executive looking at relational well-being and work/life stress utilising Edith Cowan University's Well-Being and Insecurity database.
His intention is to spend an initial period visiting churches, as well as listening to local Anglicare service providers across regional NSW.
"The secret to effective communication is always found at the grass-roots. Time must be taken to listen to and understand the "front-lines'. My intention is to spend my initial months focused on local services and churches to better understand their needs," he said.
CEO of Anglican Media Sydney, Russell Powell, paid tribute to Mr Halcrow's work.
"Jeremy has significantly enhanced the reputation of Southern Cross as a well-read and well-regarded publication. His work in the past year has been particularly impressive. We pray his skill and commitment to Gospel ministry will be as much as blessing to Canberra as it has been to Sydney."
