The Rev Ben Paton

The Rev Ben Paton has accepted Bishop Mark Short’s invitation to serve as Rector of St Simon’s, Kaleen Giralang Lawson.

Ben was inducted as Rector of St Simon’s Church on Wednesday 12 February 2025.

The Rev Wendy Bloomfield (Locum – 28 October 2024- 2 February 2025)

Wendy Bloomfield was ordained in November 2009 and priested the following year. She has served as an Aged Care Chaplain several times as well as serving in parishes including Hawker, Spence, North Wagga Wagga, Gundagai, Kaleen/Giralang and Cooma.

Wendy was very happy to be back as Locum at St Simons Kaleen/Giralang/Lawson in 2024, because she said it was such a pleasure to serve these wonderful people again.

Wendy enjoys people of all descriptions, just as God made them. She has a wide experience of life and can relate to many of life’s ups and downs.

Wendy finished her time as Locum at St Simon’s on Sunday 2 February 2025. She has continued her ministry as Locum of the Cobargo Parish.

The Rev Tracey Matthews (Locum – May – October 2024)

The Rev Tracey Mattews completed her term as our Locum Rector on 13 October 2024. She previously served at St Simon’s as Associate Priest in 2016-17 and Locum Rector 2019. Tracey served as Rector of Glenrock Anglican in Newcastle Diocese in 2019-2022.

She is currently completing a PhD at Charles Sturt University through St Mark’s National Theological College. Her research is focussed on human transformation through discipleship in the way of Jesus Christ for 21st century Australia.

The Rev Paul Cohen May 2013 – May 2024

Rector, & Archdeacon of North Canberra

Paul Cohen

St Simon’s 40th Anniversary

Paul & Sue (a workforce planner) were married in 1987; they have a daughter 27, and two sons 24 and 22, & Sue’s mum Judy has been an integral part of their family life for the past 25 years.

After growing up and then ministering in Sydney (Camden Parish 4yrs & Malabar Parish 8yrs) he ministered in Cooma Parish (NSW) from 2005 to April 2013, when Paul then joined the energetic folk at St Simon’s in May 2013 – & he thoroughly enjoyed his time with them! Paul considers himself very blessed by the Lord to be ministering amongst and alongside mature, energetic & godly people.

Paul was diagnosed with CLL (chronic leukaemia) in Sept 2018, & after 6 months of chemotherapy to March ’19, & a graduated return to work to June ’19, he was then back full-time and fit as a Mallee bull and harder to kill than a brown dog!

Paul is very grateful to all those who have prayed for him & continue to pray for him – and also very grateful to our Lord!

Paul was appointed Archdeacon of North Canberra in mid-2018.

Paul left his ministry as Rector at St Simon’s at the end of April 2024 when he was appointed to be Rector of the Queanbeyan and District parish.

(For more info about Paul’s history and interests, check out Rev Paul Cohen on linkedin.com).