Kanishka Raffel

Anglican Archbishop of Sydney

Bible study on 1 Thessalonians 2

Kanishka Raffel was born in London to Sri Lankan parents and was raised as a Buddhist. While studying law at Sydney University a friend gave him a copy of The Gospel according to John and he subsequently became a Christian.

Kanishka Raffel was ordained deacon in 1996 in Sydney and priest in 1996 in Canberra-Goulburn. He served at St. Matthew’s, Wanniassa (Canberra-Goulburn) between 1996-1999 before going west to Perth where he served as Rector of St. Matthew’s in Shenton Park between 1999-2015. 

In 2016 he commenced as Dean of Sydney, ministering to the regular congregations of St. Andrews Cathedral and serving the broader church and society through various civic and ceremonial functions. He was known for his eloquent and biblical sermons and warm evangelism. He oversaw the much-needed renovation of the Chapter House of the Cathedral and initiated new outreach activities such as the Cathedral City Care Rough Sleepers ministry to those sleeping rough. He has a good reputation for clear gospel presentations and winsome addresses at civic ceremonies involving national and international dignitaries. In addition to television and radio appearances, he has written public prayers for use in times of tragedy and hardship

Before becoming Archbishop, Kanishka was involved in wider Australian church life, including the General Synod Standing Committee, the Council of The Gospel Coalition Australia, the Board of GAFCON Australia, and as trustee to both the Anglican Relief and Development Fund Australia and Trinity Theological College, Perth. He sees the immediate priorities for the Sydney diocese as strengthening local churches, discipling the next generation, and raising up and training ministers of the gospel.

Kanishka is married to Cailey and they have two daughters.  

Andrea Musulin

Director of the Perth Catholic Archdiocese Safeguarding Office

Topic: Protective Behaviours

Andrea was an inaugural inductee into the 2011 International Women’s Day Hall of Fame. Andrea was recognised for her undying passion and commitment to women and children and inducted as a leader and pioneer in the child protection industry in WA.
At the age of 17 Andrea joined the WA Police Force as a police cadet and in 1988 graduated from the WA Police Academy serving 30 years in uniform. During this time Andrea specialised in child protection and was the Officer in Charge of the WA Police Family and Domestic Violence Unit. Towards the later stage of her career Andrea was instrumental in developing the WA Police Protective Behaviours Unit. She spent 13 of her 30 years in regional and remote WA and prior to resigning in 2016 she was the Officer in Charge of the Intensive Family Support Program.

In 2014 Andrea was approached by Archbishop Timothy Costello, of the Perth Catholic Archdiocese to develop the first Catholic Safeguarding Program in Australia which was an offer she could not refuse. Andrea is currently the Director of the Perth Catholic Archdiocese Safeguarding Office. In this role she is responsible for 207 Safeguarding Officers attached to 104 parishes and developed a child protection framework that is now widely used throughout Australia.
Due to the demand for her services Andrea has had the privilege of working ecumenically for the past 8 years across Australia including training clergy and church workers in the Anglican Diocese of Perth in her role of Director of the WA Child Protection Society.
Andrea is a published author and coauthor of a number of child protection publications. Her publications include a comprehensive set of protective behaviours materials for the catholic Church. These resources include Christ centered workbooks, parent handbooks and children’s story books.

Andrea was also the co-author of the Western Australian Department for Education
Protective Behaviour’s Curriculum for students attending government schools and is the
lead consultant for the Australian Government’s Aboriginal Hostels Group.
Andrea is an active member of Soroptimist International and sits on both the Loving For
Life and Grief to Grace Boards.
Andrea is a committed catholic and has raised 6 children. She has chaired a parish council for 7 years and was the children’s liturgy coordinator in her parish for 8 years.
Andrea maintains a contemporary approach to child protection and wellbeing and
displays a contagious, undying passion for the safety of all children.
During the presentation Andrea will share her own life stories in her attempts to raise and educate resilient, safe and empowered children in an ever-changing world.