The Assistant Bishop for the Oodthenong area of episcopal care is the Right Reverend Dr Bradly S. Billings BTh BMin LLB MA ThD.

Brad has extensive experience in ordained ministry, serving for fifteen years in four parishes in the Diocese of Melbourne. He was vicar of the parishes of Gisborne 2004-2009 and of Toorak 2009-2015, and served also as Area Dean of Essendon and Archdeacon of Stonnington & Glen Eira during this time. Brad was consecrated Bishop in 2016, and has served as an Assistant Bishop in the Diocese of Melbourne since then.

Brad has maintained an interest and involvement in academic study and has degrees in Theology, Ministry and Law, a Master of Arts in Classics & Archaeology (on ancient Ephesus) from the University of Melbourne, and a Doctorate in Theology for a thesis on the textual problem in Luke 22.19-20 (for the Australian College of Theology). He has just completed also the Master of (Anglican) Canon Law from Cardiff University in Wales. Brad’s doctoral thesis was published in 2005 by T&T Clark, and he continues to write and publish articles on the New Testament, Early Christianity, and canon law in various academic journals. He is the author of the recently published book “Truly Called: Vocation in Anglican Ministry” (Broughton Publishing).

Brad is highly involved in the life and governance of the wider Anglican Church in the Diocese of Melbourne. He has previously served on the boards of two schools, as a Director of Benetas (Anglican Aged Care) and Chair of the Melbourne Anglican Foundation. He is presently a Trustee of the Melbourne Anglican Trust Corporation, a member of the General Synod Church Law Commission, and on the executive committee supporting the ministry of St George’s College Jerusalem.

Brad is married to Karen, who also works for the Diocese in the Registry Office. They have five children – twin boys Scott and Kyle, sons Aaron and Luke, and a daughter Rebekah. His hobbies include cooking most nights, reading, writing and researching, and playing with his two grandchildren, Kai and Eli.