Gordon Moyes
Encyclopedia
Gordon Keith Mackenzie Moyes AC
(born 17 November 1938 in Melbourne
, Victoria
) is an Australian Christian evangelist, broadcaster and former politician.
Prior to becoming Superintendent of the Wesley Mission
in 1979, he was an ordained Churches of Christ in Australia
minister, serving at Victoria
n churches in Ascot/Newmarket, Ararat
and Cheltenham
, while graduating from the University of Melbourne
with a Bachelor of Arts
in 1961. He was re-ordained by the Uniting Church following his transfer to the Wesley Mission. In December 2005 he resigned after 27 years from his position at Wesley Mission, handing over to Keith Garner.
(CDP) to take Elaine Nile
's place in the New South Wales Legislative Council
in 2002 following her resignation. Moyes subsequently stood for the CDP at the 2003 state election
and was elected in his own right.
In 2004, Moyes started questioning CDP leader Fred Nile
's leadership after Nile's return to state politics following his unsuccessful attempt to win a seat at the 2004 federal election. Despite his previous support for Nile, Moyes argued that Nile's anti-homosexual, anti-abortion and anti-Muslim focus should be altered and that greater emphasis be placed on environmental issues. Tensions between the two men escalated following the 2007 election, when Nile was re-elected to the Legislative Council.
In 2007, the President of the Legislative Council, Meredith Anne Burgmann retired from public service and the Council sought a replacement. Tensions flared when both Moyes and Nile applied for the position. Nile subsequently withdrew his application and nominated Moyes at Moyes' behest. Peter Primrose was confirmed President on 8 March 2007, Moyes having received only two votes, Nile's and his own. After Nile was made Assistant Deputy President on 28 June 2007 and then Assistant President 28 November 2007, Moyes began to publicly attack Nile.
In December 2007, Moyes claimed that Nile was going against his own party executive to oppose Islamic schools, claiming it was policy "made on the run" by Nile and was "certainly not democratic in its methodology or Christian in its theological application". He called for Nile to be replaced as party leader. In September 2008, Moyes claimed Nile was too old to be a viable leader, accusing him of being "a pathetic figure" who was a "loner" with "no peers or friends". He also requested that his parliamentary office be moved claiming his staff had been subjected to bullying and harassment.
In February 2009, Nile wrote in his monthly newsletter that he regretted allowing Moyes to take his wife's place upon her retirement "because of his disloyalty and divisive actions and his frequent support of the Greens". Moyes stated that the "Greens" were "far more Christian". In March 2009, the members of the Christian Democratic Party voted to expel Moyes. Moyes responded by stating that the Party was "hypocritical", "anti-democratic" and exhibited "extreme fundamentalism". Moyes chastised Party members for their literal interpretation of the Judeo-Christian Bible and made a point telling the Sydney Star Observer
that the CDP stance against homosexuality was un-Christian.
Moyes continued in Parliament as an independent before joining the Family First Party
in November 2009. On 26 March 2011, Moyes failed in his attempt to be re-elected to the Legislative Council at the 2011 NSW election.
(honoris causa) from the California Graduate School of Theology in 1985; a Doctor of Laws (honoris causa) also from the California Graduate School of Theology in 1989; and a Doctor of Letters
(honoris causa) from Milligan College, Tennessee also in 1989.
Moyes was appointed a Companion of the Order of Australia
on 26 January 2002 for service to the community in the delivery and expansion of social welfare and outreach services through the Wesley Mission, for fostering networks and partnership arrangements with other agencies to make services more widely available, and to religion. He has also received the honours of Member of the Order of Australia
(1986), was appointed a Paul Harris Fellow in 1978 by Rotary International
, and received the 1986 Australian Father of the Year award
. In 1994, Rotary International recognised Moyes with the President's "Distinguished Service" Award.
Moyes lives in Tumbi Umbi
on the New South Wales Central Coast.
Order of Australia
The Order of Australia is an order of chivalry established on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, "for the purpose of according recognition to Australian citizens and other persons for achievement or for meritorious service"...
(born 17 November 1938 in Melbourne
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
, Victoria
Victoria (Australia)
Victoria is the second most populous state in Australia. Geographically the smallest mainland state, Victoria is bordered by New South Wales, South Australia, and Tasmania on Boundary Islet to the north, west and south respectively....
) is an Australian Christian evangelist, broadcaster and former politician.
Early life and career
Moyes first gained prominence in Australia as host of the weekly television program Turn 'Round Australia and radio program Sunday Night Live with Gordon Moyes.Prior to becoming Superintendent of the Wesley Mission
Wesley Mission
Wesley Mission is a name used by several Uniting Church congregations which are a part the Uniting Missions Network of UnitingCare Australia. Wesley Missions grew out of the inner city missions of the pre-union Methodist Church of Australasia...
in 1979, he was an ordained Churches of Christ in Australia
Churches of Christ in Australia
The Churches of Christ in Australia is a Christian movement in Australia. It is part of the Restoration Movement with historical influences from the United States of America and the United Kingdom....
minister, serving at Victoria
Victoria (Australia)
Victoria is the second most populous state in Australia. Geographically the smallest mainland state, Victoria is bordered by New South Wales, South Australia, and Tasmania on Boundary Islet to the north, west and south respectively....
n churches in Ascot/Newmarket, Ararat
Ararat, Victoria
Ararat is a city in south-west Victoria, Australia, about west of Melbourne, on the Western Highway on the eastern slopes of the Ararat Hills and Cemetery Creek valley between Victoria's Western District and the Wimmera...
and Cheltenham
Cheltenham, Victoria
Cheltenham is a suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, located 19 km south-east of Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area is the City of Kingston to the eastern side of the area's metropolitan railway line and Charman Road north, while the City of Bayside resides over...
, while graduating from the University of Melbourne
University of Melbourne
The University of Melbourne is a public university located in Melbourne, Victoria. Founded in 1853, it is the second oldest university in Australia and the oldest in Victoria...
with a Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
in 1961. He was re-ordained by the Uniting Church following his transfer to the Wesley Mission. In December 2005 he resigned after 27 years from his position at Wesley Mission, handing over to Keith Garner.
Parliamentary career
Moyes was appointed by the Christian Democratic PartyChristian Democratic Party (Australia)
The Christian Democratic Party is a right-wing political party in Australia. Its leader is Fred Nile, a Congregational Church minister and a member of the New South Wales Legislative Council.-Formation:...
(CDP) to take Elaine Nile
Elaine Nile
Elaine Blanche Nile was an Australian politician who represented the Christian Democratic Party in the New South Wales Legislative Council between 1998 and 2002...
's place in the New South Wales Legislative Council
New South Wales Legislative Council
The New South Wales Legislative Council, or upper house, is one of the two chambers of the parliament of New South Wales in Australia. The other is the Legislative Assembly. Both sit at Parliament House in the state capital, Sydney. The Assembly is referred to as the lower house and the Council as...
in 2002 following her resignation. Moyes subsequently stood for the CDP at the 2003 state election
New South Wales state election, 2003
Elections to the 53rd Parliament of New South Wales were held on Saturday 22 March 2003. All seats in the Legislative Assembly and half the seats in the Legislative Council were up for election...
and was elected in his own right.
In 2004, Moyes started questioning CDP leader Fred Nile
Fred Nile
Frederick John "Fred" Nile is an Australian politician and clergyman. Nile has been a member of the New South Wales Legislative Council since 1981, except for a period in 2004 when he resigned to contest the Australian Senate at the 2004 federal election...
's leadership after Nile's return to state politics following his unsuccessful attempt to win a seat at the 2004 federal election. Despite his previous support for Nile, Moyes argued that Nile's anti-homosexual, anti-abortion and anti-Muslim focus should be altered and that greater emphasis be placed on environmental issues. Tensions between the two men escalated following the 2007 election, when Nile was re-elected to the Legislative Council.
In 2007, the President of the Legislative Council, Meredith Anne Burgmann retired from public service and the Council sought a replacement. Tensions flared when both Moyes and Nile applied for the position. Nile subsequently withdrew his application and nominated Moyes at Moyes' behest. Peter Primrose was confirmed President on 8 March 2007, Moyes having received only two votes, Nile's and his own. After Nile was made Assistant Deputy President on 28 June 2007 and then Assistant President 28 November 2007, Moyes began to publicly attack Nile.
In December 2007, Moyes claimed that Nile was going against his own party executive to oppose Islamic schools, claiming it was policy "made on the run" by Nile and was "certainly not democratic in its methodology or Christian in its theological application". He called for Nile to be replaced as party leader. In September 2008, Moyes claimed Nile was too old to be a viable leader, accusing him of being "a pathetic figure" who was a "loner" with "no peers or friends". He also requested that his parliamentary office be moved claiming his staff had been subjected to bullying and harassment.
In February 2009, Nile wrote in his monthly newsletter that he regretted allowing Moyes to take his wife's place upon her retirement "because of his disloyalty and divisive actions and his frequent support of the Greens". Moyes stated that the "Greens" were "far more Christian". In March 2009, the members of the Christian Democratic Party voted to expel Moyes. Moyes responded by stating that the Party was "hypocritical", "anti-democratic" and exhibited "extreme fundamentalism". Moyes chastised Party members for their literal interpretation of the Judeo-Christian Bible and made a point telling the Sydney Star Observer
Sydney Star Observer
The Sydney Star Observer is a free weekly tabloid and online newspaper that caters to the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. The paper is owned and published by Gay & Lesbian Community Publishing Limited, a community-owned and oriented business...
that the CDP stance against homosexuality was un-Christian.
Moyes continued in Parliament as an independent before joining the Family First Party
Family First Party
The Family First Party is a socially conservative minor political party in Australia. It has two members in the South Australian Legislative Council...
in November 2009. On 26 March 2011, Moyes failed in his attempt to be re-elected to the Legislative Council at the 2011 NSW election.
Other details
Awarded a number of honorary degrees, Moyes was awarded a Doctor of DivinityDoctor of Divinity
Doctor of Divinity is an advanced academic degree in divinity. Historically, it identified one who had been licensed by a university to teach Christian theology or related religious subjects....
(honoris causa) from the California Graduate School of Theology in 1985; a Doctor of Laws (honoris causa) also from the California Graduate School of Theology in 1989; and a Doctor of Letters
Doctor of Letters
Doctor of Letters is a university academic degree, often a higher doctorate which is frequently awarded as an honorary degree in recognition of outstanding scholarship or other merits.-Commonwealth:...
(honoris causa) from Milligan College, Tennessee also in 1989.
Moyes was appointed a Companion of the Order of Australia
Order of Australia
The Order of Australia is an order of chivalry established on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, "for the purpose of according recognition to Australian citizens and other persons for achievement or for meritorious service"...
on 26 January 2002 for service to the community in the delivery and expansion of social welfare and outreach services through the Wesley Mission, for fostering networks and partnership arrangements with other agencies to make services more widely available, and to religion. He has also received the honours of Member of the Order of Australia
Order of Australia
The Order of Australia is an order of chivalry established on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, "for the purpose of according recognition to Australian citizens and other persons for achievement or for meritorious service"...
(1986), was appointed a Paul Harris Fellow in 1978 by Rotary International
Rotary International
Rotary International is an organization of service clubs known as Rotary Clubs located all over the world. The stated purpose of the organization is to bring together business and professional leaders to provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations, and help...
, and received the 1986 Australian Father of the Year award
Australian Father Of The Year award
The Australian Father Of The Year award is an Australian award to honor and showcase a fine example of Australian fatherhood. Spanning over fifty years, the ‘Australian Father of the Year’ has been awarded to high-profile, famous fathers, from prime ministers & politicians to sportsmen and business...
. In 1994, Rotary International recognised Moyes with the President's "Distinguished Service" Award.
Moyes lives in Tumbi Umbi
Tumbi Umbi, New South Wales
Tumbi Umbi is a mostly semi-rural suburb of the Central Coast region of New South Wales, Australia, located northwest of Bateau Bay. It is part of the Wyong Shire local government area....
on the New South Wales Central Coast.