Bishops
Diocesan Bishop Mark Short
Bishop Mark Short was ordained in 1996 and awarded a Bachelor of Theology with Honours from Moore Theological College in 1997. Following Ordination he was Deacon Assistant and Assistant Priest in the Parish of Temora, before becoming the Lucas-Tooth Scholar and undertaking a PhD at the University of Durham, UK, on From One Generation to Another: The Passover as Collective Memory. During his time in Durham he was an Honorary Assistant at St Nicholas Church of England.
From 2002-2011 he was Rector of the Parish of Turvey Park and Priest-in-Charge of the Parish of Tarcutta. In 2007 he became Vocations Director Archdeacon, coordinating and overseeing the tri-Diocesan vocations process for new ordinands. From 2009-2011 he was Archdeacon of Wagga Wagga where he shared in the oversight of 20 parishes, Anglicare and School Ministry across that region.
Prior to becoming Bishop of Canberra and Goulburn he was National Director of The Bush Church Aid Society, working in partnership with 17 Anglican Diocese and other Christian organisations across Australia to support gospel workers in remote and regional areas.
Mark is married to Monica, who is a lecturer in social work. They have two adult sons.
Bishop Mark’s Communications
Assistant Bishop Vanessa Bennett
Vanessa holds a Bachelor of Ministry from Morling Baptist College, a Master of Arts (Theology) from Moore Theological College and a Certificate IV in Christian Leadership Coaching.
Prior to becoming Assistant Bishop Vanessa served as Archdeacon of Essendon and Vicar of the Parish of Moonee Ponds in the Diocese of Melbourne. In those capacities she led an established congregation into growth and worked with a broad range of parishes in a culturally diverse part of Melbourne to find new avenues for effective mission.
From 2010 to 2015 Vanessa served in our Diocese as Rector of Christ Church West Goulburn and Chaplain at Goulburn Hospital. Her previous ordained ministry was in the Diocese of Sydney as Assistant Minister in the Parish of Strathfield and Chaplain at Meriden Anglican School for Girls. She has a particular interest and expertise in clergy leadership coaching and pastoral supervision.
Vanessa is married to Paul, who works in IT.