The Australian Research Theology Foundation was founded by the late Robert Houghton, a Priest of the Diocese of Melbourne. It was incorporated in South Australia under the Associations Incorporation regime of that state.
The Governors of the foundation are Howard Munro (chair), Jane Foulcher, Andrew Batsakis, Alison Taylor and Matthew Anstey. (Matthew is also our public officer.)
The Foundation began operations in 1987. It is independent and not answerable to any church institution. It funds and promotes research scholars, studies, experimental projects, conferences or other possibilities that further its purposes. We welcome applications from anyone or any group with a creative idea consistent with the Foundation's objects
The Idea of the Foundation
The vision and purpose of the Foundation is to recognise and promote research on religion and education in Australia. We are concerned that few resources have been available from within the Church to promote such work. The human resources have been amply provided by God.
The Foundation ensures that material resources are available to support suitable projects. Yet the vision goes beyond finance. We hope that the work of the Foundation will help sustain a network of people who can support and inspire each other, perhaps in worship, prayer and some common life, in which context reading and writing theology should be stimulated.
The Foundation in Context
Australia is a young nation on an ancient continent, a new world country in the antipodes. Its history is both indigenous and European and now multi-cultural, Indian-Pacific and Asian. Many of Australia's defining characteristics as a nation - empire and colony, war and trade, convicts and conquest, White Australia policy and high tariffs, safety net welfare state and full employment - have in recent times either been self-consciously dismantled or radically reshaped by new cultural forces.
Debates about the ‘Australian character’ and national identity have a long pedigree and these have always been conducted with a great sense of spiritual dis-ease. These are indeed complex times to be Australians and never have the spiritual, religious and theological challenges been so stark. As we embrace the new millennium, in our growing appreciation of the complex paths we tread, the speed of our transactions, global and local, and the multiplication of our identities, languages, cultures, so too we begin to grasp the significance of Australia's place in the world, especially the Asian-Pacific region, and of its own peculiar stories and traditions born out of these encounters and clashes.
Theological reflection on these questions and struggles reveals that the spiritual quest necessarily involves the political question of justice and peaceable reconciliation of differences, whatever their cause. The Foundation exists to promote these concerns and pursue this quest.
Innovative Projects we have Supported
Over the years we have funded a great variety of projects.
We have provided funding for: academic book publications and high quality theological research; research and pilot projects in respect to religious education in schools; prison ministry projects; Indigenous theology projects; various conferences; art and historical exhibitions; ethics journals and studies; refugee issues; studies of welfare and community service organisations; mental health issues and violence against women prevention projects; Australian sacred music; and ministry with youth and children.
We try to assist projects where funding is hard to source and to help get good ideas off the ground. We cast our net widely and are interested in both academic and community-based endeavours.
Applicants need to put a good case and have a clear sense of achievable goals.
The Governors of the foundation are Howard Munro (chair), Jane Foulcher, Andrew Batsakis, Alison Taylor and Matthew Anstey. (Matthew is also our public officer.)
The Foundation began operations in 1987. It is independent and not answerable to any church institution. It funds and promotes research scholars, studies, experimental projects, conferences or other possibilities that further its purposes. We welcome applications from anyone or any group with a creative idea consistent with the Foundation's objects
The Idea of the Foundation
The vision and purpose of the Foundation is to recognise and promote research on religion and education in Australia. We are concerned that few resources have been available from within the Church to promote such work. The human resources have been amply provided by God.
The Foundation ensures that material resources are available to support suitable projects. Yet the vision goes beyond finance. We hope that the work of the Foundation will help sustain a network of people who can support and inspire each other, perhaps in worship, prayer and some common life, in which context reading and writing theology should be stimulated.
The Foundation in Context
Australia is a young nation on an ancient continent, a new world country in the antipodes. Its history is both indigenous and European and now multi-cultural, Indian-Pacific and Asian. Many of Australia's defining characteristics as a nation - empire and colony, war and trade, convicts and conquest, White Australia policy and high tariffs, safety net welfare state and full employment - have in recent times either been self-consciously dismantled or radically reshaped by new cultural forces.
Debates about the ‘Australian character’ and national identity have a long pedigree and these have always been conducted with a great sense of spiritual dis-ease. These are indeed complex times to be Australians and never have the spiritual, religious and theological challenges been so stark. As we embrace the new millennium, in our growing appreciation of the complex paths we tread, the speed of our transactions, global and local, and the multiplication of our identities, languages, cultures, so too we begin to grasp the significance of Australia's place in the world, especially the Asian-Pacific region, and of its own peculiar stories and traditions born out of these encounters and clashes.
Theological reflection on these questions and struggles reveals that the spiritual quest necessarily involves the political question of justice and peaceable reconciliation of differences, whatever their cause. The Foundation exists to promote these concerns and pursue this quest.
Innovative Projects we have Supported
Over the years we have funded a great variety of projects.
We have provided funding for: academic book publications and high quality theological research; research and pilot projects in respect to religious education in schools; prison ministry projects; Indigenous theology projects; various conferences; art and historical exhibitions; ethics journals and studies; refugee issues; studies of welfare and community service organisations; mental health issues and violence against women prevention projects; Australian sacred music; and ministry with youth and children.
We try to assist projects where funding is hard to source and to help get good ideas off the ground. We cast our net widely and are interested in both academic and community-based endeavours.
Applicants need to put a good case and have a clear sense of achievable goals.