Appointment of Principal,
Wollaston Theological College
Circular from the Archbishop - 17 June 2024
Over the past months we have been considering the roles and responsibilities of Wollaston College as it serves the life of the Diocese of Perth and sits at the heart of our community as a centre of education and training.
As a college of the University of Divinity it has been decided to adopt the title given and described for the leadership of the College as Principal of Wollaston Theological College. This role is distinct in identity and purpose and will sit alongside the other functions and staff of the College in areas of ministry formation, lay education, spirituality, supervision, ministry wellbeing and other training.
It is wonderful to be able to share news of the appointment of a new Principal of Wollaston Theological college, Dr Megan (Meg) Warner.
Meg Warner is a Biblical Scholar with a particular interest in the Old Testament/Hebrew Bible, and a passion for communicating academic biblical scholarship to all Christians. Initially qualifying as a lawyer, Meg taught in the Faculty of Law at the University of Western Australia and is a former Sub-Warden of St George’s College in Perth.
Meg commenced her theological studies at Murdoch University and obtained her doctorate through Melbourne’s University of Divinity. She taught at Trinity College Theological School in Melbourne, and held the role of Assistant to former Primate, Archbishop Phillip Aspinall, before relocating to the United Kingdom, where she taught at King’s College London and the Luther King Centre for Theology and Ministry in Manchester, and participated in a research project, based at the University of Exeter, focusing on the experience of trauma in UK churches.
Meg has been licensed as a Lay Minister (Reader) in the Dioceses of Melbourne and London and has represented both dioceses as a lay member of their respective General Synods. Meg travels regularly for teaching and preaching, and in 2024 was the Easter guest preacher at St George’s Cathedral, Perth. She delivered the Wollaston Lecture in 2018. Meg has published extensively at both academic and accessible levels. Her most recent books include Effective Stories: Genesis Through the Lens of Resilience (Sheffield Phoenix) and Warner, et al, Tragedies and Christian Congregations: The Practical Theology of Trauma (Routledge). Her non-academic books include Abraham: A journey through Lent and Joseph: A story of resilience (both published by SPCK).
Meg says, “I’m delighted to be coming home to Perth, and particularly to Wollaston College. Growing up in Perth, Wollaston was very significant for me as a place for exploring faith and vocation, and my participation in training for Spiritual Direction at the ‘Weekends at Wollaston’ proved to be deeply enriching. I am so looking forward to walking alongside others at Wollaston who are exploring the call of God in their lives. In addition, I look forward to worshipping daily in Wollaston’s beautiful chapel, reuniting with old friends and making new ones, and getting to the beach as often as possible.”
Meg will be returning to Perth later in the year to begin this new role in time to prepare for the 2025 academic year.
I thank the Board and staff of Wollaston College for their commitment and hard work over the past while as we have met new challenges, set a course for the future and expanded the offerings and capacity of Wollaston to meet the challenges ahead as we walk into this new day.
The Most Reverend Kay Goldsworthy AO, Archbishop