Change enabler

Alumnus cited for 40-year stewardship of church finances

Frustration with his work at a bank, an impersonal part-time accounting course plus the persistence of his local church pastor led Rodney Brady to Avondale. Despite having a limited view of and little intention to work for the Seventh-day Adventist Church, Rod accepted an offer of denominational employment after graduation “and 40 years later I’m still working for the church with experiences and friendships I would never have had if I’d completed my studies in Melbourne.”

A keen observer of structural changes to the Australian economy in the 1970s and 80s, Rod formed his ideas based on the thinking around economic rationalism and the efficiency of financial markets. “This ideology has influenced me in making decisions that seek the best outcomes for the use of church resources.”

Rod’s career began in his home state of Victoria and includes service as an accountant in Tasmania, North New Zealand, northern New South Wales and at the then Adventist Media Centre. A longer tenure as Financial Controller at Signs Publishing Company followed before a move to the Central Pacific Union Mission as Treasurer. He assumed the same role in Victoria on return from Fiji. Initially called as Associate Treasurer, Rod is now—at more than 20 years—the longest-serving Treasurer/Chief Financial Officer of the South Pacific Division.

His most significant personal achievement is as husband of Kathryn and father of twins Sharyn and Michael.

The Class of 1980 honours Rodney Brady for a 40-year stewardship of Adventist finances that has enabled the church to respond to change.