About Our Team
People
The Revd. Dr. Peter French
Vicar
Peter was appointed to St. John's in 2016. In addition to his role as Vicar, he is also Chair of the Toorak Ecumenical Council, a Charter member of the Brotherhood of St. Laurence, a member of the Council of St. Catherine's School, Toorak, the founding Chair of the Hardship Committee of St. Catherine’s and serves as Chaplain to the Toorak sub-branch of the RSL. In the Diocese of Melbourne, Peter has served on Archbishop in Council, the Prevention of Violence Against Women Program, and as Area Dean of Stonnington.
Ms Alicia Groves
Parish Administrator & PA to the Vicar
Alicia manages the busy parish office and is also personal assistant to the Vicar of the parish. Alicia handles all enquiries of a general nature.
You may recognise her from the St. John's Church Choir which sings at the 10am service on Sundays!
The Revd. Dr. Wendy Crouch
Assistant Priest
Wendy was appointed Assistant Priest at St John’s in March 2022. She
comes to this half-time appointment from ministry at St. Bartholomew’s Burnley with St. Stephen’s, Richmond, and St. Peter’s, Bundoora. She completed her theological studies through the University of Divinity (Trinity College Theological School). Wendy is also a trained clinical psychologist and Fellow of the Clinical College of the Australian Psychological Society. For more information, please see below.
Mr Zachary Hamilton-Russell
Director of Music & Organist
Zachary is a Melbourne-based musician with a focus in piano accompaniment, choral music, and pipe organ. He studied his Bachelor of Music (Honours) at the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music. Previously, he has been Director of Music at St. Martin's, Hawksburn, and the organ scholar at St. Andrew's Church, Brighton under Dr. Calvin Bowman.
The Revd. Lydia Thangadurai
Assistant Curate
Lydia was ordained as a Deacon in February 2022 at St. Paul’s Cathedral and is now appointed as an Assistant Curate at St. John’s. She completed her Master of Ministry and Graduate Diploma of Divinity at the Australian College of Theology (Ridley College).
