Priest in Charge
The Reverend Roxanne Addley
The Revd Roxanne Addley was licenced to the parish in June 2021. She was ordained a priest at St Paul's Cathedral Melbourne in November 2018. Since February 2018, she served as Assistant Curate at Christ Church South Yarra where she was involved in all aspects of ministry within the parish and also at Christ Church Grammar School which is co-located on the South Yarra site. Prior to ordination, Roxanne served in a placement at St Paul’s Canterbury and was also an active member of St James Ivanhoe for ten years.
Roxanne completed her Masters of Arts (Theology) from the University of Divinity in 2016 after studying part-time at Trinity Theological College for 8 years. During this time, Roxanne worked in human resource roles within the social services sector including Baptcare and Lentara Uniting Care, while also discerning her calling to ordained ministry.
Roxanne is interested in ecumenism and reconciliation in the wider church and community. She is particularly interested in how the church moves forward in the post-modern world in which we find ourselves. Roxanne is passionate about understanding scripture and showing how biblical text and the Gospel message is so meaningful in today’s world. She has also completed her Emergency Chaplaincy training with the VCC.
Roxanne completed her Masters of Arts (Theology) from the University of Divinity in 2016 after studying part-time at Trinity Theological College for 8 years. During this time, Roxanne worked in human resource roles within the social services sector including Baptcare and Lentara Uniting Care, while also discerning her calling to ordained ministry.
Roxanne is interested in ecumenism and reconciliation in the wider church and community. She is particularly interested in how the church moves forward in the post-modern world in which we find ourselves. Roxanne is passionate about understanding scripture and showing how biblical text and the Gospel message is so meaningful in today’s world. She has also completed her Emergency Chaplaincy training with the VCC.
Authorised Lay Ministers
Philip Starks
Philip was baptised into the Church of England, and on moving to Australia, his family continued their church life at St Paul’s Frankston where Philip was confirmed.
After nine years in the Royal Australian Air Force as a musician, Philip returned to study at Monash and Melbourne universities, graduating with qualifications in science and librarianship. It was while he was at Monash that Philip developed a deeper interest in Christianity, which led him to interrupt his library work to study at Ridley College Melbourne, graduating with Bachelor of Theology in 1999.
In the years since Ridley, Philip has led church groups using Alpha, Crossways, and the Life Guides series of bible studies. His current activities at Holy Trinity are preaching, leading a weekly bible study group, rostered deacon duties in the sanctuary, and ministering one Sunday a month at Cost House retirement home in Lara.
Lately, Philip has been exploring a growing interest in Benedictine spirituality, and visits St Mark’s Abbey at Camperdown several times each year.
Philip notes his coming to Lara was not expected, but then God is a god of the unexpected. He is grateful to the parish of Lara Little River for their trust in him as an authorised lay minister.
Philip maintains a blog of sermons he has given in the parish, which can be found at https://biblipoint.blogspot.com, and makes them available under Copyright Commons Licence.
After nine years in the Royal Australian Air Force as a musician, Philip returned to study at Monash and Melbourne universities, graduating with qualifications in science and librarianship. It was while he was at Monash that Philip developed a deeper interest in Christianity, which led him to interrupt his library work to study at Ridley College Melbourne, graduating with Bachelor of Theology in 1999.
In the years since Ridley, Philip has led church groups using Alpha, Crossways, and the Life Guides series of bible studies. His current activities at Holy Trinity are preaching, leading a weekly bible study group, rostered deacon duties in the sanctuary, and ministering one Sunday a month at Cost House retirement home in Lara.
Lately, Philip has been exploring a growing interest in Benedictine spirituality, and visits St Mark’s Abbey at Camperdown several times each year.
Philip notes his coming to Lara was not expected, but then God is a god of the unexpected. He is grateful to the parish of Lara Little River for their trust in him as an authorised lay minister.
Philip maintains a blog of sermons he has given in the parish, which can be found at https://biblipoint.blogspot.com, and makes them available under Copyright Commons Licence.
Leon Pollard
Leon is a native of Geelong, and has four siblings who also live in the Geelong area.
The first part of his adult life was focussed on theological study and ordination to the Roman Catholic priesthood in 1994. As a member of the Redemptorist Congregation, Leon lived in Newcastle and Perth and conducted parish missions in all states and territories with the exception of Tasmania and South Australia. Leon left active ministry in 2001 and retrained as a Social Worker. In the years since 2003, Leon has worked as a Social Worker with Centacare Forbes NSW, Child Protection Services Footscray, and for the past sixteen years with Services Australia (formerly Centrelink).
A desire to preach the Word of God led to Leon joining the Anglican Church in 2018 and worshipping at Holy Trinity Lara.
Leon is now an Honorary Authorised Lay Minister in the parish with responsibility for preaching, assisting during services and facilitating a home group. His long-term goal is to combine the counselling skills of Social Work with the gifts and charisms of ministry in some form of chaplaincy.
Oh, and one more thing. Leon is married to the vicar, Reverend Roxanne.
The first part of his adult life was focussed on theological study and ordination to the Roman Catholic priesthood in 1994. As a member of the Redemptorist Congregation, Leon lived in Newcastle and Perth and conducted parish missions in all states and territories with the exception of Tasmania and South Australia. Leon left active ministry in 2001 and retrained as a Social Worker. In the years since 2003, Leon has worked as a Social Worker with Centacare Forbes NSW, Child Protection Services Footscray, and for the past sixteen years with Services Australia (formerly Centrelink).
A desire to preach the Word of God led to Leon joining the Anglican Church in 2018 and worshipping at Holy Trinity Lara.
Leon is now an Honorary Authorised Lay Minister in the parish with responsibility for preaching, assisting during services and facilitating a home group. His long-term goal is to combine the counselling skills of Social Work with the gifts and charisms of ministry in some form of chaplaincy.
Oh, and one more thing. Leon is married to the vicar, Reverend Roxanne.
Children's and Families Worker
Tara Rieniets
Tara commenced in the newly established Child and Family Worker role in January 2024.
She is a mother to 2 children and has been a part of the Lara community for the past 7 years.
She has a passion for helping individuals and families, and encouraging their faith in Christ. Tara’s career background is in community welfare, with a focus on the criminal justice system and family violence support.
She gave her life to Christ in early 2020, and is humbled to be placed in children’s ministry at Holy Trinity, and is excited to see where the Lord takes it.
She is a mother to 2 children and has been a part of the Lara community for the past 7 years.
She has a passion for helping individuals and families, and encouraging their faith in Christ. Tara’s career background is in community welfare, with a focus on the criminal justice system and family violence support.
She gave her life to Christ in early 2020, and is humbled to be placed in children’s ministry at Holy Trinity, and is excited to see where the Lord takes it.
Office Administrator
Sandi Weber
Sandi joined our team at Holy Trinity in late October 2022.
A mother to a busy household of six children, she works with us two days a week in the office and is passionate about her faith and serving others in a vibrant, Christian community.
A mother to a busy household of six children, she works with us two days a week in the office and is passionate about her faith and serving others in a vibrant, Christian community.