Various other projects, large and small, have been initiated by client organisations. They have included many projects with schools, a few with welfare and international aid organisations, and many projects with churches. One regular project has been a customer satisfaction survey with the Catholic Church Insurance, which has provided a small but interesting window into the changing nature of church life.
Through a great variety of research projects, the CRA has been painting the backdrop of Australian culture and the place of religious faith within the culture. It has drawn on its analysis of the censuses and surveys, its many case-studies and interviews in painting this picture. It has also contributed to the debate as to how might faith be developed in Australian homes, churches and schools.
While the CRA has always been a small organisation, most of the work has been a team effort. In the early years, ‘Tricia Blombery contributed greatly to the research and to getting CRA underway. Her connections with the Australian Association for the Study of Religions were most helpful when we were editing their journal and organising their conferences.
a particular role in gathering information on different topics and assisting with interviews of young people. Alison Sampson, then Cathy Cook (nee Wilson) assisted with research projects. Sharon Bond served with great energy and enthusiasm for a number of years including the early work on youth culture. She did many of the initial interviews with young people. Peter
Thompson assisted for a year. He was followed by Audra
Kunciunas who assisted particularly with the rural projects. Her
creativity was much appreciated.
Stephen Reid started with the CRA in 2007 and has done much work analysing Census and surveys. He has been involved in many qualitative projects too, conducting interviews with students, and doing studies of school and sports chaplaincy. Lachlan Fraser worked part-time for a couple of years, assisting with the materials for Life, Ethics and Faith in
Australian Society: Facts and Figures. The assistance from the administrative staff has been invaluable. Clara Bentley was the first appointed and worked with the CRA for a year. For some years, ‘Tricia Blombery and I managed that work ourselves. However, Leanne Bensley was appointed to assist the CRA around 1990 and worked in the office in Kew, also serving the Zadok Institute which had office next door. Pauline Williams served faithfully for a number of years. Hazel Hughes served on many
Hazel Hughes and her mother, Jessie Osman, sending out copies of the Australia’s Religious Communities CD-Rom. (Photo by Philip Hughes)
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Research and Research Assistants (mostly half-time)
1985 P h ili p H u g h e s H a lf -t im e T ri c ia B lo m b e ry Clara Bentley 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 P e te r B e n tl e y 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 H a z e l H u g h e s 1998 1999 S h a ro n B o n d T im o th y H u g h e s 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 Peter Thompson 2007 S te p h e n R e id 2008
Philip Hughes Full-time
Luke Dewberry 2009 2010 2011 P e g F ra s e r 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 Mostly Administrative (about 2 days per week) Technical Help (Mostly 1
day per week or less) Leanne Bensley Pauline Williams Alison Sampson Cathy Cook (nee Wilson) Audra Kunciunas Lachlan Fraser CRA Staff 1985 - 2016
occasions, both formally and informally, contributing greatly to the smooth operation of the CRA. From the earliest days, she has been a very faithful proof-reader, reading not only all the publications but many of the reports. From 1997 to 2007, she handled most of the administrative work of the CRA. Tim Hughes also contributed significantly, particularly in developing computer programs for running the Research Methods for Ministry and Mission and for the archive of the first 16 years of Pointers. Luke Dewberry was helpful in putting together materials for the 3rd edition of Australia’s Religious Communities (CD-ROM) as well as looking after the finances and membership. Peg Fraser joined the CRA in 2011. She has not only handled the finances and memberships, but taking on the desktop publishing for books and Pointers, and assisting with interviews for the research. (See the table for the full list of staff.)
The work has been overseen by a Board consisting of representatives of the various Senior members of the Christian Research Association who contribute some funding annually. Several people have also been co-opted onto the Board following serving time as representatives of sponsoring organisations.
Dr Neville Carr was the first chair. He was followed by Dr Peter Kaldor, and then Prof. Gary Bouma. Dr Neville Carr returned when he represented the CCES (now ACCESS Ministries). As he went overseas, the task of chairing was taken on by Pastor Rob Steed of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. He has given wise leadership since 2008. Many other people have served very faithfully on the Board for a long period of time. Dr Bob Dixon has long represented the Catholic Church on the Board and has been secretary, public officer, as well as a proof-reader, and head of the research sub-committee. Grace Thomlinson was co-opted following time as the representative of World Vision and has assisted with proof-reading all our publications and with the marketing sub-committee. For many years, Dr Ken Bartel was the Lutheran representative and the honorary
treasurer. The continuing work of the CRA has been greatly enhanced by the contribution these people have made. (See Appendix 2 for the full list of representatives.)
The CRA has deliberately tried to engage each denomination on its own terms, honouring each denomination’s theology. Many times, the theology of the denomination has
provided the goals, and the sociological research of the CRA has focussed on the best means to achieve those goals.
However, looking back over the 30 years work with the CRA and work with other associated projects, the picture painted has been quite comprehensive and will be summarised in Chapter 3. The CRA has also explored how churches and schools might respond to the changing nature of faith in the Australian context and this research will be summarised in Chapter 4.