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Richard was a resident ‘theolog’ and a non-resident theological student at ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵÏÂÔØappCollege in the late 1980s, returning as Stewart Lecturer in Theology (1998-2007) – a teaching ministry he combined with being Associate Chaplain of the College (1998-2001) and then College Chaplain (2003-2007). Richard was ordained Deacon and Priest in Ballarat Diocese in the early 1990s, where he served two curacies, and was Rector of the Parish of Skipton, a four-centered rural parish.

For over a decade from 2007 he was the Vicar of Christ Church South Yarra, and President of Christ Church Grammar School, where he chaired the School Board for five years. Between 2001 and 2012 Richard represented the Anglican Church of Australia on the Faith and Order Standing Commission of the World Council of Churches. Other wider church ministries include seven years on the Council of Melbourne Grammar School, two years on the Brotherhood of St Laurence’s Board, three years as an Examining Chaplain, and an ongoing role on the Liturgy Commission of General Synod since 2012.

In 2018 Richard was elected, consecrated, and installed as the thirteenth Bishop of Gippsland. His PhD in Hebrew biblical narrative was awarded by Monash University and published in 2008.  He is an Honorary Research Associate of the University of Divinity, and has written chapters in edited volumes and articles for local and international refereed journals in the area of biblical interpretation.  

For several years Richard was a regular contributor to the print and online formats of Eureka Street on issues of faith and popular culture.