With humility and a deep sense of calling, Anglican Chaplain Andrew Nixon has been collated as the inaugural Archdeacon for Veterans in the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA)—a first-of-its-kind role that signals a growing recognition of spiritual wellbeing in the care of Australia’s veteran community.
Held at St Andrew’s Cathedral in Sydney, the service of collation brought together leaders from the Church, Defence, and veteran communities. Presided over by Bishop Grant Dibden, Bishop to the Defence Force and the sermon given by the Primate of the Anglican Church of Australia, Geoffrey Smith, the ceremony marked a historic and pastoral step forward: placing a seasoned chaplain and priest at the heart of government veteran support.
Archdeacon Nixon is no stranger to the unique challenges and sacrifices faced by veterans. A former full-time Army chaplain with more than two decades of Defence ministry, he has served in units ranging from logistics to Special Forces, both in Australia and overseas, including deployments to Timor-Leste, the Middle East, and Bougainville.
His lived understanding of military service, combined with deep pastoral insight, makes him uniquely qualified to walk alongside those navigating life after service.
“This role acknowledges that healing isn’t just physical or psychological,” Archdeacon Nixon said. “For many veterans, spiritual and moral injury can be deeply felt, and our response must meet them in that space—with compassion, with dignity, and without judgment.”
The Archdeacon for Veterans role will complement existing mental health and wellbeing programs within DVA, while also building stronger connections between faith communities and the broader support ecosystem for veterans and their families.
Archdeacon Nixon will serve as a bridge—listening, advocating, and helping ensure no veteran journeys alone.
Bishop Dibden reflected on the significance of the appointment: “This is a ministry of presence, one that recognises the depth of soul wounds veterans may carry. Andrew’s wisdom, humility, and faith will be an incredible asset to the department and to the people it serves.”
For Defence Anglicans, the appointment is not only a moment of celebration but also a clear sign of growing cooperation between Church and State in the pursuit of holistic care—care that values the whole person: body, mind, and spirit.
As Archdeacon Nixon steps into this pioneering role, we give thanks for his service and pray that his work may be marked by grace, courage, and the quiet strength that has defined his ministry from the beginning.
