Raised in the Methodist Church by parents who were deeply committed evangelical Christians, Bronwyn grew up with a strong moral framework and an early awareness of inequality.
Her mother’s working-class upbringing during the Great Depression and experiences of hardship instilled in Bronwyn a lifelong passion for social justice.
It is these two intimately connected threads—her Christian sensibility and commitment to fighting for the disadvantaged—that have animated Bronwyn’s public life. They shine through in the many positions she has held within the Uniting Church and in her political career as a minister in a Victorian Labor government.
Bronwyn began her career as a teacher, later joining the Uniting Church’s Somerville Community Services in Darwin. When a social justice role opened with the Church in Victoria, Bronwyn stepped into public advocacy at a critical moment, just as the Kennett government began sweeping privatisations and cuts.
“Kennett got really mad because it was the Church criticising him,” she said. “He said we should stick to our knitting! Of course, that just got me more fired up because I believed that social justice was our knitting.”
Bronwyn’s outspoken opposition led her to state politics, where she was elected as the Member for Melbourne in 1999 and became one of the state’s longest-serving female ministers, holding major portfolios including Health, Education and Community Services.
“I was so fortunate to be the Member for Melbourne and a government minister for all that time,” she said. “I really found it wonderful to go into politics and work and meet people who shared the same passions and commitment that I did.”
After retiring from Parliament in 2012, Bronwyn continued her service within the Church, holding senior governance roles before becoming the second CEO of Uniting Vic.Tas in 2018.
“I really believe the Church made a courageous decision to bring together all the agencies to form Uniting Vic.Tas,” she said. “It wasn’t entirely without controversy. Not everyone loved the idea. It was an enormous task. I think much bigger than anyone ever imagined. And I want to pay tribute to Paul Linossier, who was the inaugural CEO. He did an absolutely amazing job in setting the framework for a unified organisation and putting the building blocks in place.”
Under Bronwyn’s leadership, Uniting has grown into a powerful expression of the Church’s call to serve. She helped consolidate the vision of Uniting as a single, united organisation with a shared purpose. She continued to bring advocacy, policy and frontline service into alignment, always asking: what kind of world do we want to live in?
In 2022, Bronwyn was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for her contributions to Parliament and social welfare. Yet those who know her understand she is far more interested in celebrating the efforts of those around her.
“The thing I miss the most and the greatest joy I’ve had in the job is to bring together and see the growth of this amazing group of people who can now lead the show without me,” she reflects. “That has been so rewarding.”
Bronwyn often says the Uniting Church stands on three legs: worship, witness and service. If one is missing, the stool falls. Through her time at Uniting, she has ensured that our service continues to stand strong, grounded in faith and expressed through action.
Bronwyn notes that she has never really had a life plan, so she will be open to what comes along following her time with Uniting. In the short term, she is looking forward to enjoying the freedom of travelling with husband Bob in their converted combi and reading lots of good books. We wish her well for the break. Few could be more deserving after an exemplary lifetime record of community enhancing public service.
“The thing I miss the most and the greatest joy I’ve had in the job is to bring together and see the growth of this amazing group of people who can now lead the show without me,” she reflects. “That has been so rewarding.”
