Q&A with East Redland Anglicans Rector, Air Force Chaplain, bass guitarist and vinyl records fan, The Rev’d Cameron Freese
Spotlight Q&A
Meet Cameron Freese and find out about the importance of Anzac Day to him, how he thinks parishes can be more welcoming to Australian Defence Force personnel and veterans, how his faith inspires his life and what his all-time favourite album is
Where do you currently live?
I currently live in Cleveland with a beautiful view out to Moreton Bay and Minjerribah (Stradbroke Island).
How long have you been involved in the Anglican Church Southern Queensland and in what roles?
I have been involved with the Anglican Church Southern Queensland for 24 years. I started out as parishioner at Manly, which led to formation and ordination. East Redland is my third parish as an incumbent. I am also an Air Force Chaplain, currently serving at Amberley.
What do your main roles involve?
My main role is to lead the parish of East Redland Anglicans as Rector, but I have Diocesan roles as Area Dean and Examining Chaplain. In my RAAF Chaplain role, I work as part of chaplaincy team to support the members of the various squadrons at Amberley.
What projects or activities are you currently working on in your roles?
At East Redland Anglicans I am currently working on a deeper development of spirituality with Celtic services, Benedictine gatherings and “Local Houses of Prayer” as a part of the Ffald y Brenin movement. In my RAAF Chaplain role, I am currently working on aspects of operational readiness within chaplaincy, train members in suicide intervention and am currently working with health conversion units in understanding their own spiritual readiness and also the role of chaplaincy in mass casualty events.
Air Force chaplain The Rev’d Camron Freese at Redlands RSL on Remembrance Day in 2020
What has been one of the single key highlights of your time in each role so far?
Without a doubt, I would say 2020 and the navigation of the COVID-19 pandemic in the parish. I know that seems odd, but it was a time of great creativity and coming together, albeit online. I was very touched at the time at the support and encouragement from the parish and their commitment to stay together even though I had only been here for six weeks before the lockdown.
In my Defence role, a highlight for me was being able to train in Applied Suicide Intervention Skills and then deliver that training to Defence members. It has been a very rewarding thing to do.
The Rev’d Cameron Freese at St Paul’s Cathedral in Melbourne on Anzac Day, 2021
Why is it important for Anglicans to commemorate Anzac Day?
I think it is important to commemorate Anzac Day as Australian and New Zealand Anglicans because we have always been involved in the support of Defence members, originally providing chaplains to the Defence Forces — a role we still share with others today.
I agree with The Ven. Rob Sutherland that as the people of God, this allows us as a Church, to connect with our veterans and families and show that God and the Church care about the human and spiritual costs of war and Defence service. It shows that we care for and value our Defence members, past and present.
What are some ways that parishes and ministries can commemorate Anzac Day?
Parishes can conduct Anzac Day Services on Anzac Day in their churches — particularly if they have memorials in the church. By doing this we can link our commemorations to people who have served and been a part of our communities. I think it is also important to invite Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel and veterans to participate because it helps to remind us of the sacrifice made by others for our freedoms. Link in with the resources provided on the Defence Anglicans website while also linking in with your local ADF Chaplains — they’d be only too happy to help out.
I think it’s also important to link in with our local RSLs and create links to veterans — they really do appreciate it.
How can parishes and ministries become more welcoming to Australian Defence Force personnel and veterans?
There’s probably a lot of things we could say about welcoming in general that would apply to ADF personnel and veterans as it would to anyone. With that said, consider inviting ADF personnel and veterans to share their stories as part of our commemorations.
I also think it’s good to just talk with them intentionally at events, church or the RSL because it gives them an opportunity and a space to be heard and valued. I have also found that conducting veterans’ funerals with grace, respect and dignity goes a long way to building bridges with the veteran community.
The Rev’d Cameron Freese being deaconed by Archbishop Phillip Aspinall in St John’s Cathedral in 2007
Can you tell us a little about your Christian faith journey?
My faith journey is one of bringing together a lifetime of experiences that didn’t make sense at the time, but when viewed together made it clear that God was active in my life.
My deepest experiences of God have been through deep contemplative prayer and also in my time as scientist; encountering God in things like isolating DNA, looking down electron microscopes, contemplating viruses and bacteria. This all culminates in the realisation that God was calling me into ordained life — where I have been active for nearly 20 years.
How does your Christian faith inspire you and shape your outlook, life choices and character?
I think it’s about my connection to the Benedictine, Desert and Celtic traditions — they provide me with frameworks and understandings that keep me moving forward, asking questions and seeking the Godly in all the world I inhabit. I don’t always do this well, but I am inspired by potential and possibility of continuing to seek God out and finding God in unusual places.
What are the primary strengths of the Church and what is the best way to make the most of these for the benefit of our communities?
For me, it is its spiritual depths over time. I think we forget that we are a spiritual organisation sometimes, but it’s when we plumb the depths of the spiritual that we find the wonder of God.
Whether it’s Celtic, Benedictine, Desert Monastic, and so on, delving into the experiences of other people as they have navigated the mystery of God unlocks possibility and promise. I think we need to relook at our past and allow it to speak into our present and future.
The Rev’d Cameron Freese (R) with The Rev’d Tom Bower (L) and Mother Hilda Scott (Centre) at Jamberoo Abbey in 2010
What person of faith inspires you the most and why?
Mother Hilda Scott from Jamberoo Abbey. She is such a gentle soul, within a wonderful candidness and sense of humour that comes from a deep and loving understanding of God.
What is your favourite Bible scripture and why?
Matthew 2 — I love the story of the magi. As a scientist I love to contemplate the complexity of the astronomical aspects of the story and see the ways in which God chooses to communicate with us. It fits with my sense of curiosity and seeking out potential and possibility and finding God in unusual places.
Why is it important for Anglicans to work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples towards Reconciliation?
I think it’s important for all Christians within Australia to engage with this — not just Anglicans. I say that because it is about recognising the humanity in the other and when we denigrate a particular part of that humanity we dimmish it all. It’s also about recognising the inherent value of people and cultures and that we all have things to learn from each other. I also feel that if we are going to speak about Reconciliation as a part of our values as Christians then we need to actually live and demonstrate that within the contexts in which we live.
What is the bravest or kindest gesture you have ever received or witnessed?
The kindest and bravest thing I have ever witnessed was in October 1980 when I was seven years old and my family had been involved in a car accident on what is now Steve Irwin Way. I was very badly injured after going through the windscreen of the car from the back seat. In the car behind us, towing a caravan, was a group of nurses from the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital who were coming back from holidays. However, they got me off the car, took me into their van and treated my wounds until the ambulance arrived.
What is the best piece of advice you have ever received and who gave you this advice?
The best piece of advice my wife and I ever received was from a nurse at the Mater Mothers’ Hospital after our daughter Alexandra was born. She said to us, “Whatever you do, don’t read the baby books because they will tie you in knots!” It turned out to be excellent advice.
What do you do in your free time to recharge and relax?
I like to play lots of 80s rock on my bass guitar. I have loved bass guitar since being a KISS fan as a kid and always wanted to play bass guitar. In the last couple of years, I decided to get lessons and relive my favourite 80s music through the bass, particularly playing from my favourite album of all time, Def Leppard’s Hysteria.
If you found yourself on a deserted island, what three things would you choose to have with you?
All I would really need is my wife and daughters (and Milo our dog, of course).
If you could have a billboard with any text on it, what would it say and why?
It would have “Rule #32” on it with a picture of Twinkies. It’s always important to remember to enjoy the little things. I know someone out there will get the reference.
What book have you given away most as a gift and why?
The book I have given away the most is The Grace Outpouring. I found it had a huge impact on me and I really wanted to share that.
Where do you do your best thinking?
Simple: Jamberoo Abbey!
17-year-old Cameron Freese playing Dandy Dan in a school play of Bugsy Malone in 1990
What’s your best childhood memory?
It’s not really “childhood”, more like late teens, but my best memory (right at this moment) is my high school production of Bugsy Malone. I’ll leave it you to guess who I played.
What is your karaoke go-to song?
I don’t really do karaoke, but if pushed I’d have to say, “Sure know Something” by Kiss.
If you are having a bad day, what do you do to cheer yourself up?
Watch as much comedy as I can. I find laughing helps me a lot.
What makes you nostalgic and why?
Listening to records on a turntable. It takes me back to the energy and excitement of my youth.
The smell of mown grass and the sound of cicadas on a summer morning in December takes me right back to Christmas holidays when I was at school.
What is your secret skill?
Ballroom dancing.
If you could only eat one thing for the rest of your life, what would that be?
That’s complicated…on the one hand, pizza… on the other hand, German sausages with mashed potato and sauerkraut.
What item should you throw out, but can’t bear to part with?
I should probably have thrown out the many boxes of notes I took during my science degree. They are over 30 years old and massively out of date but I just can’t part with them. They tell a story that I like to relive from time to time.
What’s your unanswerable question – the question you are always asking yourself?
How did I end up a clergy person? Actually, most people I went to school with want an answer to that one.
The Rev’d Cameron Freese on the day of his ordination to the priesthood in 2007 in St John’s Cathedral, pictured with his best friend Dr Lee Drury who also served in the Air Force
