What's your name and job?
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Elizabeth Dyke. I am a minister of religion, currently the Dean at St. Paul's Anglican Cathedral in Bendigo.
How long have you been doing that for?
I was ordained in Oxford cathedral in 1994, among the first women to be ordained in the Church of England. So July 3 this year is my 25th anniversary.
What are you doing today?
(Interview April 12, 2019.)
With Palm Sunday in just two days time and Holy Week and Easter following immediately afterwards, I am busy making sure that all the services are properly prepared, leaflets printed, palm fronds in place in the cathedral, water ready for the renewal of baptism vows... being my first Easter at the cathedral, there is a lot to learn!
Why did you decide to become a dean?
Having been a priest, then archdeacon, and serving in various roles in the church, I was invited to consider this job by the diocesan bishop.
I was excited by this new challenge and am gradually getting to grips with the demands of the role.
What do you enjoy about your job?
I love Jesus and I love serving his people!
The cathedral is a wonderfully diverse community of Christians with a heart for our city and its people. So worshiping and working with them is a joy and a privilege.
What's your passion? What do you really care about?
I have always been interested in people and I care about individuals and communities becoming the best they can be: caring for one another, sharing joys and sorrows, offering a helping hand along the way.
What's your Bendigo story?
Coming to Bendigo from Canberra, I am enjoying the relaxed, friendly and welcoming people.
In the aftermath of the recent Christchurch atrocity, I was heartened to see how our community gathered to support those affected by it here - our Muslim friends and neighbours.
What do you do on your Saturday morning?
My husband and I like a lazy morning on our day off, followed by time gardening or taking our bicycles out on the many cycleways there are here. Coffee after a walk round Lake Weeroona is another favourite.
What's your guilty pleasure TV show of choice?
There's not a lot of time for watching TV but I do like Letters and Numbers, and Father Brown, watched along with my guilty pleasure of a glass of shiraz and a box of chocolates.
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