Greetings! My name is Edward Vaughan. My family (wife Jane, children Christopher (23), Georgia (17) and Chloe (13)) moved from Sydney to Ireland in 2005, so that I might take up the position of rector at Crinken Church of Ireland in south county Dublin. (You can check out the church website at www.crinken.ie)
Both Jane and I had previously lived all our lives in Sydney. I was previously rector of Darling Street Anglican Church in Balmain-Rozelle. We had a church planting ministry there for 13 years, where we were involved in planting four churches of varying styles and approaches.
My father was born in Ireland and emigrated to Australia in 1936. He was a publican, and owned the Carrington Hotel in Bourke Street Surry Hills, and then the Green Park Hotel, on the corner of Victoria and Liverpool Street in Darlinghust. That is where I lived from the ages of ten to twenty.
I met Jane at university, and we both studied Arts. My major was in Australian history, and my dissertation concerned the impact of American servicemen in Sydney during the Second World War. Jane’s major was in English literature. Jane was a Christian, whose faith and life challenged me greatly. At the end of my degree I made a commitment to Christ.
We have very much enjoyed our five years in Ireland. During that time we have seen the country at the peak of prosperity, and witnessed the incredible collapse of the Irish economy as well. Despite that, we have found the time to be personally very encouraging and refreshing, and have found the experience of living outside of Australia to be wonderful.
Our son Christopher returned to Sydney at the end of our first year in Ireland. He recently got married to Pip. He is studying post-graduate law and she is a professional singer.
I have a particular interest in leadership, and leadership development. While in Australia I completed the Arrow Leadership Programme, and went on to be involved in the leadership of Arrow at a state level. Arrow is a leadership development course for emerging leaders and evangelists, and now exists in seven countries around the world. While in Ireland I had the extraordinary privilege of being able to establish the Arrow Ireland leadership programme.
I have a black belt in Pilates and belong to the Irish chapter of the Bill Mallonee Fan Club. My wife is keen for me to buy a power drill but to this point I have resisted. I enjoy going to the gym, and reading- my current ambition is to at least start to read all the Booker Prize winning novels (it was first awarded in 1969- I have a very long way to go!). I love watching Australia beat other countries in sport, especially rugby and cricket. Oi oi oi!