Day 3: 39th Queensland Synod confirms key appointments and Assembly representatives

The 39th Synod of the Uniting Church in Australia, Queensland Synod, has confirmed a series of appointments through ballots held during its meeting from 23–26 October 2026.

The results, presented by Balloting Committee Convenor Rev Jenny Potter, included appointments to the Uniting Church in Australia Property Trust (Queensland), the Finance Investment and Property (FIP) Board, the Synod Standing Committee and the 18th Assembly.

The ballots determined appointments across governance, financial oversight and representation at the national Assembly.

Property Trust and FIP Board

Allan Hanson was elected Chair of the Uniting Church in Australia Property Trust (Queensland). As Chair of the Property Trust, he will also serve as Chair of the Finance Investment and Property (FIP) Board.

The ballot had one nomination for the one available position. Hanson achieved an absolute majority of votes cast.

Thea Madigan was elected Secretary of the Property Trust, also achieving an absolute majority. There was one nomination for the one available position.

Four members were elected to the Property Trust for the period from the 39th to the 40th Synod, an 18-month term. Five nominations were received for the four available positions.

The elected members, listed in progressive order according to votes received, are:

• Elaine Rae
• Paul O’Donohue
• Reg Gulley
• Dale Ham

Synod Standing Committee

Six members were elected to the Synod Standing Committee (SSC) from seven nominations.

The elected members, listed in progressive order, are:

Three-year term, from the 39th to the 41st Synod:

• Stephanie Wade
• Simone Adam
• Colleen Geyer
• Rev Alamoti Lavaki

18-month term, from the 39th to the 40th Synod:

• Rev Adam Low
• David Jack

The appointments provide for both longer and shorter terms of service on the committee.

Representatives to the 18th Assembly

Synod also elected ordained and lay representatives to the Uniting Church in Australia's 18th Assembly.

Ordained members

Ten nominations were received for nine available ordained positions. The following nine people were elected, listed in progressive order according to votes received:

• Rev Dr Peter Armstrong
• Rev Alamoti Lavaki
• Rev Andrew Gunton
• Rev Sam McDonell
• Rev Mel Wheeley
• Rev Dr Peter Lockhart
• Rev Craig Batty
• Rev Linda Hanson
• Rev Andrea Follett

Lay members

Twelve nominations were received for 11 available lay positions. The following 11 people were elected, listed in progressive order:

• Amelia Guyatt (Youthful)
• Austin Mann (Youthful)
• TJ Scanlan (Youthful)
• Dr Amy Cooper
• Zoe Korbe (Youthful)
• Kym Korbe
• Hannah Legge
• Scott McDonald
• Genevieve Jimmy (Youthful)
• Rachel Hanson (Youthful)
• Allan Hanson

The results include several representatives identified as Youthful, reflecting the designations recorded in the ballot outcomes.

Acknowledging the Balloting Committee

Rev Jenny Potter served as Balloting Committee Convenor, supported by Mrs Philippa (Pip) Ferrant-Smith, Rev Scott Ballment, Mr Josh Lane and Mr Simon Moore, who served as committee secretariat.

The ballot outcomes form part of the governance and representative appointments confirmed during the 39th Queensland Synod.