Sydney Diocesan Archives, Anglican Diocese of Sydney Sydney Diocesan Archives, Anglican Diocese of Sydney

Chancellors of the Diocese of Sydney

The Chancellor is an advisor to the Archbishop in legal and related matters. This is a voluntary position, which has been held by esteemed judges and barristers. The Chancellor may also provide advice to Synod and Standing Committee.


see also: List of Deputy Chancellors

see also: List of Advocates



1876-1884: Canon Robert Allwood

(b. 1803, d. 27 October 1891)


c.1888-c.1892: William Gregory Walker

(b. 1848, d. 1910)


1893-1894: John Taylor Lingen KC

(b. 1848, d. 1933)
Lingen also served as Chancellor for the Diocese of Bathurst from 1907 to 1923.


1895-c.1898: William Gregory Walker

(b. 1848, d. 1910)


1899-1900: William Portus Cullen

(b. 1855, d. 06 April 1935)


c.1907-1934: Sir Albert John Gould

(b. 1847, d. 27 July 1936)
Gould also served as Chancellor for the Diocese of Newcastle.


1934-1938: Sir John Musgrave Harvey

(b. 1865, d. 13 June 1940)


1938-1949: William John George Mann

(b. 1859, d. August 1949)


1949-1973: Walter Samuel Gee

(b. c1897, d. 26 October 1973)
Gee served as Advocate of the Diocese from 1933 to 1949.


1973-1980: Norman Alexander Jenkyn QC

(b. 1905 d. 17 February 1980)
Jenkyn served as Advocate from 1949 until his resignation in 1965, when he was appointed to the Supreme Court of New South Wales. Jenkyn was a member of Standing Committee and other committee in the Diocese. Jenkyn was President of the Appellate Tribunal of the Church of England in Australia from 1977 to 1980.


1980-2003: Kenneth Robert Handley AO QC

(b. 1935)
Handley also served as Advocate prior to becoming Chancellor.


2003-2005: Christopher Michael Orpwood QC

(b. 1944, d. 15 December 2005)


2005-2008: Peter Rex Grogan

(b. 1934, d. 11 November 2012)


2008-2008: Dr Robert Tong (Acting Chancellor)

(b. 1943)
Tong also served as Chancellor of the Diocese of the Murray.


2008-2013: Peter Johns

(b. 1938)


2013- : Michael Kingsley Meek SC

(b. 1962)


Disclaimer: These dates are not definitive, but reflect what is printed in the Diocese of Sydney Year Books held by the Archives. Our holdings are not complete, and some Year Books do not list a Chancellor.


Deputy Chancellors

The Deputy Chancellor acts in the absence of the Chancellor. This is also a voluntary role.


2009- : Dr Robert Tong

(b. 1943)
Tong also served as Chancellor of the Diocese of the Murray.


2012-2013: Michael Kingsley Meek SC

(b. 1962)


2013- : Michael Easton

(b. 1968)



The position of Advocate was abolished in 2006. Barristers or solicitors were appointed to represent the Diocese.


1933-1949: Walter Samuel Gee

(b. c1897, d. 26 October 1973)
Gee also served as Chancellor for the Diocese from 1949 to 1973.


1949-1965: Norman Alexander Jenkyn QC

(b. 1905 d. 17 February 1980)
Jenkyn also served as Chancellor for the Diocese from 1973 to 1980.


1965-1970: Victor Charles Hughesdon

(admitted 31 August 1923, d. 03 May 1970)
Hughesdon served on many diocesan committees.


1970-1980: Kenneth Robert Handley

(b. 1935)
Handley also served as Chancellor from 1980 to 2003.


1980-1995: Dr Neil Matheson Cameron

(b. 1938)


1996-2004: Garth Owen Blake SC

(b. 1954)