General News
15 August, 2025
Bring out the good china: Korus Connect marks 80 years
The Horsham College Chaplaincy Committee is ready to party like it's 1945 - they've got the kettle on and they're breaking out the home-baked goodies.
Celebrating the 80th Anniversary of The Council for Christian Education in Schools – currently Korus Connect and previously known as ACCESS Ministries – this special occasion aims to recognise and thank volunteers and supporters from around the region.
For 80 years, community members have put their hands up to undergo training that qualified them to teach half-hour lessons about shared Australian values in Primary School classrooms.
These volunteers became significant others to students and teachers as they brought great Bible stories, fun activities and songs into their lives.
Incredibly, planning for this far-reaching service began way back in 1927, and after delivering lessons in classrooms for ten years, the services of chaplains were also added to schools, impacting the community from 1955 until the current day.
A large number of church groups from within Victoria joined together to form the council, design curriculum and train volunteers – many of whom had a teaching background.
Horsham College Chaplaincy Committee chair Yolande Grosser stepped into the role of chaplain herself five years ago, after volunteering as a classroom teacher for close to a decade.
Qualified with a Bachelor of Education, Mrs Grosser joined the team of volunteers at her local primary school, mainly ex-teachers who loved spending time back in the classroom with students again.
Dozens of caring community members have volunteered on the local Horsham College Chaplaincy Committee since its beginning in 1988.
Golf days, bike-a-thons, international dinners, fashion parades, lolly runs, and even a visit from the Australian Boys Choir were fundraisers to keep a chaplain in the largest Secondary College in the region.
Seven chaplains have worked within the school community since then, including many memorable names: John Mathis, Alan Corby, Justin Van Rossen, Susie Penny, Kate Polack, Greg McKinnon and current chaplain Yolande.
Looking to the future, Korus Connect have airport chaplains and shopping centre chaplains and continues to provide chaplains to hundreds of Victorian schools.
The Horsham College Chaplaincy Committee asks that anyone who has been involved as a volunteer or supporter of Korus Connect/ACCESS Ministries contact them on 0428 109 363 to RSVP for the 80th Anniversary Celebration Afternoon Tea to be held on Sunday, August 31, at the Ministry Centre, 91 River Road, Horsham from 2-4pm.
They would love to thank everyone for their contribution to this service.
