The long-established magazine/newspaper and website, The Melbourne Anglican (TMA), has ceased to operate. The Other Cheek understands that staff have been made redundant, and that no new stories are being added to the website, apart from some pre-written ones.
“The Melbourne Anglican website will remain active for a period of time, allowing continued access to past articles and resources,” according to an official statement sent to clergy from Matthew Crichton, Interim Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Anglican Diocese of Melbourne. “However, TMA’s social media posts as well as its weekly digital newsletters, Newsstand and Best of the Week, will also cease being published.”
“Looking ahead, future communications from the Diocese will be shared through the Anglican Diocese of Melbourne (ADOM) website and official social media channels.”
Cricton’s statement specifically mentions the timing of the decision. “Earlier in 2025, after a careful and considered review, Archbishop in Council made the difficult and sad decision to cease the production of The Melbourne Anglican. This decision was taken in the context of the Diocese’s wider financial challenges and was made prior to the installation of Archbishop Ric.”
The Melbourne Anglican (and its predecessor See) won the top award from the Australasian Religious Press Association, the Gutenberg award, in 1994, 1998, 2006, and 2015.
Staff of The Melbourne Anglican over the years included long-time editor Roland Ashby, with over 20 years of service, journalist Mark Brolly, columnist Beryl Rule, and See editor Mrs Angela Grutzner. Key personnel in recent years include Elspeth Kernebone, editor until 2024, and Penny Mulvey in a managing editor role.
Jenan Taylor was the final editor of TMA with journalist Hannah Felsbourg, digital media specialist Sybil Gazzard, and designer Ivan Smith. The Cricton statement acknowledges that the closure “is not a reflection on the quality or commitment of the staff, whose work has consistently been of a high standard. We are deeply grateful for their service and hold them in our prayers as they move into the next stage of their lives.”
The Other Cheek ran Peter Bentley’s history of the Australasian Religious Press Association at its 50th and final conference, “Christians in print: the rise and shrinkage of the Australasian Religious Press Association and its members.”
The manner in which churches communicate to their attenders and members – at least in the protestant area – has largely shifted from the text-heavy tabloids of which TMA under Roland Ashby was a good example, through an era of A4 glossy magazines, and the last years of TMA made that shift. Melbourne Anglican’s northern neighbour, in Sydney, has moved towards social media ads, and it may be that Melbourne may do the same.
Crichton suggests, “If parishioners ask about this decision, clergy may wish to acknowledge both the significant contribution these publications have made over many years and the financial realities currently facing the Diocese.”