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Welcome Rev Nalin Perera

By: Ms Cate Bebie – Principal

It is with great pleasure that I wish to announce the appointment of our new Chaplain to PLC, Rev Nalin Perera, who has accepted this Uniting Church Synod Placement, following the unanimous recommendation of the College Council.

Rev Perera’s appointment follows in the steps of the distinguished contributions of his two predecessors, Rev Manie Strydom and Rev Gary van Heerdon, who both served our school community well.

Prior to this appointment, Rev Perera, or “Rev” as he is universally known, devoted nine years of distinguished service as Chaplain to Wesley College, during which time, as then Head of Junior School, I had the great privilege of working closely with him for four years.

Rev Perera has worked in a variety of ministerial placements over 25 years in three Uniting Church Synods. Prior to becoming Chaplain to Wesley College in 2013, he was in placements in the Synod of Victoria and Tasmania in inner-city ministry and as Victorian Government Emergency Services Chaplain; in Broome undertaking frontier ministry, as well as being Chaplain to the Broome Regional Prison; in the metropolitan area as Minister in Kalamunda/Forrestfield; in addition to earlier rural appointments in Katanning, Kojonup, Tambellup and Gnowangerup.

Rev Perera has served on the governing Standing Committees in the Northern; Victorian and Tasmanian; and Western Australian Synods. Additionally, he continues in his role as Honorary Chaplain to the Moderator of the Uniting Church Synod of Western Australia. He brings to PLC a wealth of experience, understanding, compassion, and joy in every aspect of ministry he undertakes.

Core to Rev Perera’s understanding of successful chaplaincy is never losing sight of the need to bring out the best in each other by empowering people, particularly young people, to be their best, which fosters a culture where every voice is welcomed, heard, and respected; and where diversity is embraced and celebrated.

In today’s youth he recognises a seismic shift in a desire to reverse the wrongs of the past – to protect the environment; pursue non-violent means of resolving conflict; and deal creatively with racism, sexism, prejudice, and religious intolerance. As a School Chaplain, he believes his role is to understand and facilitate those aspirations, through worship, reflection, meditation, theological and philosophical inquiry.

Very family orientated, Rev Perera has been married to his wife, Michele, for 36 years. Together they have three adult daughters and three grandchildren, who have each adroitly exercised their influence in helping him to be grounded in preparation for his new responsibilities in an all-girls’ school.

I am extremely confident Rev Perera’s experience and commitment will guide our staff, students, and community, both spiritually and pastorally, in a strong and positive direction.

Please welcome him as he joins us in the last week of term for orientation, prior to being very much part of our PLC community from the commencement of Term 3.

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