Joe Thorp was appointed Registrar and Secretary of Synod from 21 October 2019 for a period of up to six months with the task of managing the functions of the role as well as the recruitment process to find a replacement for Amanda Harfield.  

Joe is known to many as a Synod Representative from St Peter’s Cathedral and Chairman of the Council Of Governors at St Peter’s College. 

Having recently retired from a career as CEO and Managing Director of international manufacturing, distribution and trading businesses to focus on a non executive director career as well as advisory and consulting, we are fortunate that Joe has been able to organise his affairs to step onto the breach at short notice.  

Joe’s other roles for the Synod include Observer to the Synod of the Murray, member of General Synod, and member of Bishop Nomination Committee.

The function of the Secretary of Synod

The Synod is the governing body responsible for the management of the affairs of the Diocese. The Secretary of Synod is accountable to the Diocesan Council, which is the executive committee of the Synod. The Secretary of Synod ensures appropriate secretarial services are provided to Synod and the Diocesan Council and liaises with members of Synod. He or she will fulfill other duties as prescribed by the legislation of the Diocese of Adelaide and is the Public Officer of the Synod of the Diocese of Adelaide of the Anglican Church of Australia (Inc).

The function of the Diocesan Registrar

The Registrar is accountable to the Archbishop of Adelaide.  He or she will provide high level organisational and strategic support to the ministry of the Archbishop and support the Archbishop and Diocesan Council in the implementation of the Diocesan Vision and Strategic plan.

The Diocesan Registrar and Secretary of Synod ensures the effective and efficient management of the Diocese’s finance, business and administrative functions, and supports the development, implementation and management of policy and communication frameworks and processes. He or she will supervise the staff of Diocesan Office, liaise with parishes within the Diocese of Adelaide and work in co-operation with Anglicare SA, Anglican schools and other Anglican agencies in the Diocese. The Diocesan Registrar and Secretary of Synod is the Provincial Secretary and provides an executive function to the Provincial Council of the three Anglican Dioceses in the Province of South Australia and acts as Registrar on behalf of the Province in certain matters as defined under a Memorandum of Understanding.