New Grafton Anglican Dean named

By Tim Howard

The Grafton Anglican diocese has revealed who will the ninth Dean of Grafton after the retirement of Dr Gregory Jenks last year.

The Bishop of Grafton, Murray Harvey, has named the The Revd Canon Naomi Cooke, to the role, the first woman to take the position.

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Canon Naomi has more than two decades of ministry experience and since 2016 has been school chaplain at Bishop Druitt College, an Anglican School in the Diocese of Grafton at Coffs Harbour. She has also been a member of Cathedral Chapter since 2020.

Her online biography said that during her time as chaplain Naomi has offered outstanding leadership within the school, as well as being a pastorally caring priest.

She has offered a genuinely creative and inclusive ministry to the whole school community.

Before coming to Grafton Diocese, Naomi was Chaplain at Trinity Anglican School and at MLC School in Sydney.

Canon Naomi is passionate about holding together the breadth of Anglicanism with respectful and robust diversity.

She has been instrumental in the journey towards developing a Reconciliation Action Plan for the diocese and building reconciliation with First Nations communities. Naomi is also a member of the Ecumenical Relations Commission of General Synod of the Anglican Church of Australia.  Her ministry incorporates Godly Play, Taize prayer, Prayer spaces, and labyrinth reflections.

As Dean of Christ Church Cathedral Grafton, Canon Naomi has a vision for how the cathedral might shine its light as an inspiring gathering place for the wider community, with a ministry that embraces the liturgical legacy of the cathedral while also exploring innovative ways to connect with and serve the community.

She is excited about supporting and leading the Grafton cathedral parish’s commitment to compassionate action for the common good.

Her installation as Dean will take place at Christ Church Cathedral Grafton on Saturday, August 12 at 11am.