In mid-September our Cathedral Administrator, Mr Andreas Kiessling, will be leaving St Paul’s to return to his homeland, Germany. Andreas has been an invaluable member of our Cathedral team and has brought energy, dedication and vision to his work at St Paul’s.
In the years immediately following the Covid-19 Lockdowns, Andreas has helped the Cathedral pivot to welcoming more than 500,000 visitors and 54,000 worshippers every year. His contributions included many practical improvements to Cathedral planning and program delivery, including pioneering our first Winterfest Market in July 2025 to raise funds for ministry to Melbourne’s homeless.
Through his close collaboration with Finance Manager Patrick Kuah and Shop Manager Fabio Perozzi Andreas has significantly strengthened the Cathedral’s financial position. He has advanced crucial infrastructure projects, including preparation for our Halo heater system, the installation of a new electric switchboard and important ongoing maintenance works—including planning for important maintenance work to take place on the Moorhouse Tower.
Dean Andreas Loewe reflected on Andreas’s service: ‘We have greatly benefited from Andreas’ energy and expertise. He has been a transformational Cathedral Administrator, with a passion for community, sustainability, and sharing our faith with others. We are deeply grateful for his commitment to our mission and his wonderful work on behalf of the Cathedral community’.
From the middle of next month, interim arrangements will come into effect to ensure continuity across the Administrator’s portfolio. Our Finance Manager Patrick Kuah will take on expanded responsibilities as Interim Building and Finance Manager, while our Cathedral Shop and Visitor Centre Manager, Fabio Perozzi, will become our Interim Commercial Manager. Both already bring considerable expertise to take on these expanded roles and will ensure that our infrastructure projects continue to be delivered, and our missional enterprises continue to flourish.
At their meeting on Tuesday, 12 August 2025, the governing body of St Paul’s Cathedral, the Cathedral Chapter, moved a motion of thanks to extend their heartfelt gratitude to Andreas for his outstanding service and friendship. Dean Andreas reflected: ‘I am sorry to see Andreas leave St Paul’s but, as a fellow-Bavarian, understand well why he would want to return home to beautiful Bavaria. We will miss him very much, and wish him and his family every blessing, as he embarks on this new chapter. Servus, Danke und vergelt’s Gott!’