Our People

Rev. Emily Hayes

Emily has lived here in Mparntwe Alice Springs for 14 years. She has been the minister of the Alice Springs Uniting Church since Sept 2021.

Before beginning her Master of theology and formation for the ministry she worked for the Alice Springs Women’s shelter and before that in Aboriginal education.

Sondra Lowing-Nicho

Sondra established her residence in Mparntwe, Alice Springs, in 2018 and has been actively serving as the Administrator/Property Manager since 2021. She has a rich history of living in various remote regions throughout Australia, such as the Kimberley and FNQ.
Drawing on her background in hospitality, real estate and design, Sondra works hard to enhance the use and presence of our buildings and surrounds . She welcomes all in the community and is deeply committed to supporting the dedicated volunteers who play a vital role the vibrancy of our church community.


Benjamin Quilliam

Benjamin is the Frontier Services bush chaplain.

What does Benj do as a Bush Chaplain:

    • Offering help and care for all people in remote Central Australia, whatever they are facing: traumatic incidents, missing family, bereavement, relationship issues, sickness and injury, spiritual crises, cultural clashes, conflict with co-workers, domestic violence, alcohol, financial stress
    • Supporting mental and emotional health, offering a safe listening ear, someone to offload onto. Support, guidance, information and referrals. Relationship counselling.
    • He comes to you, or see him in Alice Springs. He also uses Facebook messenger, zoom, teams, text, WhatsApp, email, etc to keep in touch
    • Advocacy for issues affecting people in remote Central Australia
    • Practical help: funerals, weddings, technology, grant applications, creches, governance and constitutions, roofing…
    • Spiritual resource—all faiths, none or undecided. He offers spiritual guidance and encouragement, working within a person’s own belief system. He can seek to motivate individuals to use their beliefs and attitudes in the management of their difficulties.

centralian@frontierservices.org
0400 562 127

Ben Howland

Ben is the support worker for Ananguku Area Ministry Council, supporting the admin side of the Uniting Church in Aboriginal communities from Aputula/Finke in the NT, throughout the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands in SA across to Irrunytju/Wingellina in WA.
Before starting in this role Ben was a primary school teacher in 2 APY communities, and has previously worked as a social worker in Mparntwe/Alice Springs.

Previous Ministers

1956-1959: Rev Arch W Grant, 1956-1959: Rev Aubrey Quick, 1959-1964: Rev Colin Ford, 1962-1964: Rev Lloyd Shirley, 1964-1966: Rev Keith Brooks, 1965-1968: Rev Gordon Ewin, 1965-1968: Rev David Manton, 1965-1973: Rev Jim Downing, 1969-1973: Rev Doug McKenzie, 1969-1973: Rev Ross Lay, 1973-1979: Rev L Shirley, 1981-1986: Rev John Lamont, 1988-1993: Rev Doug Turnbull, 1995-1999: Rev Murray Lund, 2000-2004: Rev Lindsay Faulkner, 2006-2008: Rev. Tracy Spencer, 2008-2013: Rev. Kate Fraser, 2015-2020: Rev. Dr. Stephen (Steve) Bevis, 2021- current: Rev. Emily Hayes.