Radford thanks Bishop Stephen Pickard

After two terms of service as Deputy Chair of the Radford College Board, our community is farewelling The Right Rev’d Professor Stephen Pickard.

Dr Pickard was appointed to the Board by the Bishop in Council on 9 February 2018 and his term on the Board formally ended on 9 February 2024.

At the time of his appointment to the Radford Board, Dr Pickard was Assistant Bishop in the Diocese of Canberra and Goulburn and Executive Director of the Australian Centre for Christianity and Culture, Charles Sturt University, where he was Professor of Theology. His areas of expertise are in education (teaching and writing in theology, ministry and culture); leadership training and institutional leadership. He retired from these roles in early 2022.

During Dr Pickard’s time as Deputy Chair, the Radford Board navigated the College community through the challenges presented by the COVID-19 global pandemic and the opportunities delivered by the Baker Family Sports Precinct including the Collegians Centre, Boorer Family Cricket Centre, a refurbished and expanded G. Wigg Sports Centre, new outdoor courts and carparking.

Reflecting on the past six years, Dr Pickard said “It has been a great honour to serve on the Radford Board during a period of significant growth and development at the College. I have learnt so much from the dedication, expertise and wisdom of the members of the Board. The diocese can be justly proud of the College, its Board”.

Dr Pickard is a recipient of the Archbishop of Canterbury’s Lambeth Award, The Cross of St Augustine, in recognition of his long and distinguished service to the Anglican Communion (165 countries 85 million members) as theologian, teacher and Bishop.

After such dedication of time and effort to the local, national, and international communities, Dr Pickard is understandably keen to enjoy spending more time now with friends, and with those in his family circle: his wife, children and grandchildren. There is no doubt, however, that his contribution to significant Christian networks and projects will continue.

In farewelling his colleagues on the Radford Board, and the community it serves, Dr Pickard said “I will miss my involvement with Radford as a Board member and the friendship of colleagues under the wise leadership of its Chair, Vicki Williams. The College is such a fine community rich with opportunities for students to reach their fullest potential as learners, seekers after truth and infused with compassion to serve”.

Radford College Board Chair Mrs Vicki Williams said: “Stephen has made a wonderful contribution to Radford over the last six years. I know his wise counsel will be missed by all of his board colleagues and, in particular, by me in his role as Deputy Chair. I wish him a very full and productive retirement as he now pursues other ventures and gets to spend more time with his family. Thank you Stephen.”