In 1960 Graeme became the Pastor of the Heathcote Methodist Church which commenced 60 years of ministry as a Counsellor, Pastor and Teacher. Over the last 25 years he’s been deeply involved in issues relating to domestic violence and child sexual abuse. He is now focused on mentoring the next generation of Pastors to continue this work.
About Graeme
Graeme Cann was an angry child, despite having a wonderful family. At 17 he had a profound spiritual experience which changed his life’s direction. In 1962 he married Julia and they joined the staff of The Leprosy Mission. For 16 years they helped pioneer ElKanah to both wounded people and those who ministered to them. The Christian Counseling Association of Australia was born out of a vision that Graeme and others had. Julia and Graeme have 4 children and 14 grandchildren.
“Having counselled hundreds of people through the trauma of child sexual abuse and domestic violence I have endeavoured to put something of what I have learned in print. My hope is that this will be helpful to people who are on similar journeys and their supporters.”
Graeme’s Career Highlights
1974 - Graeme and his wife Julia established Australia’s first residential counselling centre in Marysville, Victoria. Over the past 46 years, El Kanah has provided counselling, respite and training for many hundreds of people.
1985 - Graeme and a group of Melbourne psychologists founded the Christian Counsellors Association which is now a national body accrediting Christian Counsellors. He has since been made an honorary fellow of the CCA.
1996-2006 - While Pastoring the Berwick Church of Christ, Graeme helped develop two government funded programs geared towards domestic violence awareness and primary prevention.
2003 - The Peace in Families program that Graeme helped to develop, was recognised by the federal government as the leading crime prevention program.