The Right Reverend John Parkes AM (1950 -2025)

15 Jul 2025 - by Liz Jakimow

The Right Reverend John Parkes AM (1950 -2025)

Executive Director ACC&C 2001 - 2002

It is with considerable sadness that the Centre has learned of the death of Bishop John Parkes following a long illness. Highly intelligent, generous, charming, theologically insightful, administratively able, John fulfilled several unique roles in the life of the Church.  The Centre was very fortunate to gain his presence as its interim director for a short time.

It takes considerable courage to lead a new venture in its early stages, especially one with a broad vision, high expectations, and limited resources. John was never one to shrink from such a task. He was later to go on and finish the daunting task of completing St John’s Cathedral Brisbane as its Dean.

In John’s time at the ACC&C there was no administrative building, no seminar pavilion. John worked hard to cement fruitful cooperation between the Church and Charles Sturt University as well as building ecumenical partnerships.  In his time the annual rhythm of the Centre began to emerge with events such as Commonwealth Day, Stations of the Cross etc.

John’s sense of social justice, emanating from his faith, was strong. Building the Centre firmly upon its indigenous foundations was never far from his mind.

John was very well connected within the city of Canberra and worked closely with Senator Margaret Reid, president of the Senate, who was then chair of the ACC&C board.

By profession John was a barrister, bringing considerable skills to the documents of agreement which established the Centre and its leases between the Anglican Diocese of Canberra and Goulburn and Chares Sturt University.

Many adages appropriately describe John, none more so than, ‘if you have an important task, give it to a busy person”.  John fulfilled this role while retaining his position as Rector of All Saints Ainslie. He returned to his Parish, but additionally took on the role of Diocesan Archdeacon.  In both roles he made the impossible hopes and dreams of the then bishop possible!

I have every reason to thank God for the love, life and ministry of Anthony John Parkes, but so does the wider Church and University which he served with dedication, distinction, and loyalty.

Bishop George Browning