5 minutes with…Ned Radov

In our latest installment of our regular Revive column ‘5 minutes with…’ we get to know Ned Radov.
Ned has been working with the Uniting Church Presbytery of WA since September 2023 as Presbytery Support Administrator.
His role supports the work of the Presbytery and its Committees.

What led you to working for the Uniting Church?

For 22 years, I worked as a disability support worker. Working part-time allowed me to explore other activities, including film and video production. However, I wanted a change to something more administrative and a role that allowed me to help more people than the one-on-one support I was providing.

The opportunity with the Uniting Church came through a connection in the office. Without this connection, I wouldn’t have considered it, nor would the office I suspect, as my administrative experience is limited and my broader knowledge more than what they were looking for, but it’s turned out to be a great fit.

I enjoy working with the people around me and those beyond the office, and I’m glad to be contributing in my own way.

What is something you have learnt about the Uniting Church?

It’s a complex organisation! The multitude of committees and the way they interact, the different roles and focuses of synod and presbytery, the blend of staff, ministers, volunteers; complex!

What has been the most challenging or surprising thing in your work role so far?

The challenging part is understanding this organisation’s machinations. It’s complex and after ten months I’m still asking questions about how things work (I’ve been warned that I’ll be asking for many years yet!).

That it does work could be considered surprising, but I’m appreciating that a lot of it is due to the enormous work the volunteers do. So we have nine paid presbytery staff doing their best to support six presbytery committees, about 100 congregations and faith communities, more than a 150 ministers (some retired but still active), pastors and lay preachers.

The volunteers are key, from the Chair of Presbytery to committee members, church council members and all those volunteering in their own way in their congregations. How much they all do is probably the most surprising thing.

What’s your favorite way to spend your days off? Do you have a hobby or special interest?

I like to relax on my days off and that could mean any number of things. A hot beverage in hand reading up on the latest tech and gadgets, watching a movie with my wife, spending time with family (though not necessarily relaxing!).

Essentially, I like to slow down on my days off but I keep busy tinkering with tech (my wife asks why I have so many laptops and gadgets!), enjoying films and meditating.

If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would you go?

My wife is from Beijing originally and we are planning a trip there in September this year. It’s been six years since I was last there, just before COVID, so I’m looking forward to seeing family and how much the place has changed.

I’ve been twice before and it’s great staying with family as it offers amazing insight into what it’s like living like a local. Beijing is both super modern and super old and makes for a fascinating journey into a culture that’s surprisingly more welcoming than we’re led to believe.

Thanks to Ned for being a part of our ‘5 minutes with..’ series. Since publishing the original article Ned has been to, and returned from, his trip to China. Read this and more in Revive.