[2] In the early-mid 1980s Anderson studied ethnomusicology at the University of Sydney[3] with an interest in researching traditional Aboriginal songs.
In 1986, he moved to the Northern Territory for 14 months to research the songs of Central Arnhem Land, during which time he was adopted by a Rembarrnga clan and he worked with musicians who had become Christians through a revival on Elcho Island in 1979.
He lived at Numbulwar and later in Darwin,[2] training Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander church leaders first at Nungalinya College (where he served as Academic Dean) and for the Diocese of the Northern Territory (where he served as Aboriginal Ministry Development Officer and an Honorary Assistant Priest at Christ Church Cathedral, Darwin.
[2] In 2007, Anderson and his family moved back to Sydney where he served head of the Department of Mission at Moore Theological College, a position he held until his appointment to the episcopate in 2014.
[4][1] Anderson is married to Annette Eriksson, who is herself a music educator and musician and previously conducted the Darwin Youth Orchestra.