The Chaplaincy Teams.

BRHC is supported by...

Assistant Chaplains

Assistant Chaplains are volunteers trained in providing pastoral support in healthcare and aged care settings. They visit their venues regularly to care for patients, residents, their families and staff.
Click here to find out more.

Church Teams/Chapel

Church Teams and Chapel Teams provide church services developed with patients and aged care residents in mind.  These are presented face-to-face or streamed over YouTube.
Click here to find out more.
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Chaplaincy Committee

The Chaplaincy Committee is the administrative oversight of the chaplaincy ministry.  Currently chaired by Rev. Dr. Graeme Sutton, it meets bi-monthly to support and grow the work of chaplaincy.

"He is passionate about seeing the church connect with people at their point of need"

Pastor Andrew Shearer-Cox

Chaplain Coordinator

Andrew has been with BRHC since 2012, and has lived in Ballarat since 2000.  Before working with BRHC, he has worked as Chaplain to Ballarat High School and as a Pastoral Practitioner at St. John of God Hospital, Ballarat.  Prior to this, Andrew worked in Youth Ministry with churches across Melbourne.

Andrew has been married to Aileen since 1996 and is currently experiencing life at home with school aged children who are busy with school, sport and community activities.  Musically, he enjoys playing piano, guitar and learning ukulele.  In an attempt to keep active, Andrew will have a good go at bike riding, tennis, golf and swimming.

He counts his hobbies as cooking, drinking good coffee and supporting the Essendon Football Club.  In recent times, he has developed an interest in ice hockey, although he cannot work out why, as he can neither skate nor play hockey.

He is passionate about seeing the church connect with people at their point of need.

Rev. Lyall Reid

Chaplain

"...where a person senses the presence of the spirit ... it's really exciting..."

 Lyall Reid joined the BRHC ministry in September 2021, having  already undertaken a placement with us in 2019. Lyall is also a full-time member of the Australian Defence Force in training for Navy Chaplaincy and we welcome him to the team.

After having served for over 20 years in Navy, Lyall felt the call to the Ministry of the Word and ordination in the Uniting Church. Having candidated through the Presbytery of Western Victoria, Lyall has completed tertiary studies at Pilgrim Theological College, Melbourne and is really excited to continue his formation with the Chaplaincy ministry.

Lyall is in full-time ministry for the placement, shared between BRHC and Ballarat Central Uniting Church (BCUC). When he is not participating in worship services, touching base with healthcare venue staff and clients, or reaching out through online services at the Bev Pratt Chaplaincy Centre in Brown Hill, Lyall can be found at BCUC on Lydiard Street.

Lyall is married to Simone and loves spending time with family - Matilda (7) and Lawson (4) at their home in Buninyong. Needless to say, Lyall has his hands full on the home front, but in his own words “it is not only a privilege but a joy to spend time with people connecting and re-connecting with each other and with God. We all feel lost at times and there is no denying the loneliness this brings, but when we spend time with people and see that ‘aha’ moment, where a person senses the presence of the Spirit and finds comfort in God’s constant companionship it’s really exciting because we are each being blessed to know Christ’s presence in our midst, knowing us, supporting us and giving us hope.”

Lyall (a Collingwood supporter) and Simone (a stalwart Tiger’s fan who encourages her Richmond influence on their children), enjoy bushwalking, taking the children exploring, photography and spending time with friends.

Lyall is also learning the banjo (in the garage much to everyone’s relief).