New Website and Membership Applications for the UAICC

The Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress (UAICC) in NSW/ACT is pleased to announce that we have a new website! You can visit the new website here.

UAICC NSW/ACT also has a new electronic membership application form, allowing people to apply for membership on-line. Just click the “Become a member of UAICC” button on the website to join!

Please help to get the word out that applications are now open!

Note: As we have a new (electronic) Membership Register, former members of UAICC NSW/ACT will need to reapply using the electronic registration form so that we have your contact details and emergency contact details on record.

UAICC NSW/ACT membership categories:

Full Membership

Full members of UAICC NSW/ACT must be Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people, and must be connected to the Uniting Church in Australia via:

• Membership of a Uniting Church Congregation in NSW or the ACT;
• Membership of a UAICC Faith Community in NSW/ACT that has been formally recognised by the relevant regional Presbytery; or
• Membership of a UAICC Ministry Centre operating in NSW/ACT - for example the UAICC Ministry Centres at Condobolin and Wellington.

Associate Membership

Associate Membership is open to any Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person who is:

• A recognised member of another (non-UCA) Christian denomination;
• Who applies for membership of UAICC NSW/ACT; and,
• Who agrees to abide by the Policies and Procedures of UAICC NSW/ACT and the broader governance of the Uniting Church Synod of NSW and the ACT as it relates to the UAICC, as a condition of their membership.

Note: Those applying for Full Membership or Associate Membership are required to provide information to demonstrate their Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander identity, such as a Certificate of Aboriginality or similar.

Ally Membership

Ally Membership is open to any Christian person who applies in writing for Ally Membership of UAICC NSW/ACT, and who agrees, as a condition of their membership, to abide by the Policy and Procedures of UAICC NSW/ACT and the broader governance of the Uniting Church Synod of NSW and the ACT as it relates to the UAICC.

Ally Members are able to access the UAICC website, social media content, e-newsletters and other resources that may be produced, but are unable to be a member of the UAICC NSW/ACT Regional Committee, or to speak at Regional Committee Meetings (unless co-opted).

UAICC NSW/ACT moving forward …

At present UAICC NSW/ACT is engaging in a membership drive to enable former and new members to apply and become registered.

When around 20 Full Members are registered, we will organise a gathering of members in Sydney for the purpose of fellowship, worship, discussion of UAICC NSW/ACT policies and procedures, and to identify 2-3 members who are willing to help organise a UAICC NSW/ACT Conference in 2027.

The new UAICC NSW/ACT Regional Committee will consist of 13 elected persons: The Chairperson, plus 4 persons from each of the 3 new Presbytery regions in NSW/ACT (Northern, Central and Southern). At the UAICC NSW/ACT Conference in 2027, elections will be held for a Chairperson, other Regional Committee Executive roles (Secretary, Treasurer, Woman’s Representative and Youth Representative), and to fill remaining regional representative positions (8).

With the new Regional Committee in place, UAICC NSW/ACT will focus on its core priorities:

• Supporting the ministry and mission activities of existing UAICC Ministry Centres and Faith Communities in NSW and the ACT.
• Establishing additional UAICC Ministry Centres and Faith Communities, through collaborative relationships with local Uniting Churches and regional Presbyteries.
• Supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Christian young people, including support for theological education and other relevant training.
• Providing professional development opportunities for UAICC leaders, members and communities through governance and leadership training, seminars and workshops.
• Encouraging “covenanting” initiatives with the wider Uniting Church, including the Synod of NSW and the ACT, and Uniting NSW/ACT.

While I appreciate that the disbanding of the NSW/ACT Regional Committee by the National Executive of UAICC a number of years ago was a difficult time, I believe it has provided an opportunity for UAICC NSW/ACT to develop a more robust governance approach and an effective Regional Committee structure that is now linked to the new 3 Presbytery structure in the Synod of NSW and the ACT.

I thank Pastor Tom Sloan, Stella Sloan, Pastor Beth Goolagong (retired), and Pastor Robert Riley for their dedication to their ministries. We acknowledge again the retirement of Pastor Beth from her ministry in Condobolin in 2025 after many years of faithful service, and our gratefulness for Pastor Tom and Stella moving back to Condobolin to continue the ministry there. We are also grateful for Pastor Robert Riley (and family) who commenced his UAICC ministry role at Wellington in late 2025. Both the Condobolin and Wellington Ministries continue to go from strength to strength – for example Wellington has started a Youth Group once a month and over 30 young people have shown up for the two meetings so far! Pastor Tom and Stella continue to build engagement with the Condobolin and other regional communities through use of the UAICC BBQ Trailer – including putting on a feed for the community at a recent NRL Allstars event! I also thank Aunty Pearl Wymarra for her wisdom and ongoing involvement and support for the work of the UAICC.

We thank God for the blessings of all those involved in UAICC ministry roles, and pray that the Spirit continues to nurture and guide them.

Learn More 

General Enquiries: UAICCEnquiries@nswact.uca.org.au 

UAICC WEBSITE