Newsletter 1: 4 February 2025
Dear Colleagues,
As we commence the 2025 school year, it is vital in these first weeks that structured time is spent between teachers and students setting goals and discussing aspirations for the months and years ahead. As is custom, during the recent Australia Day long weekend, the Australian of the Year, as well as the Young and Senior Australians of the Year were announced. Awardees are always worth highlighting with our young people as role models whose achievements are examples of service, generosity, and leadership. This year the awards are particularly pertinent for Marist and Catholic educators.
Australian of the Year, Neale Daniher is a former student from Assumption College Kilmore. Originally from West Wyalong in Central Western NSW, Neale has maintained strong connections with the College. Under the leadership of Ms Kate Fogarty, in 2020 it was decided to name the new College sports and hospitality facility overlooking the main oval , which was opened and blessed in 2022. Neale is a proud former Marist student, and a person of deep faith whose selfless contributions to Australian society are inspirational.
The senior Australian of the year is the highly respected Christian Brother, Thomas Oliver (Olly) Pickett AM from Western Australia. Brother Olly’s incredible, faith filled work with Wheelchairs For Kids for the past 30 years is a truly great Australian story.
Whilst Australian society has rightly recognised these two fine people for their inspiring example and significant contributions to those in need, as people of faith their motivations and values are clearly drawn from their knowledge and love of Jesus. The videos are commended to you for use with staff and students.
All Marists are invited to join in warmly welcoming our newly appointed Principals who have commenced their vital vocations as Marist leaders in 2025.
Bunbury Catholic College, Bunbury - Ben Priest
Good Counsel College, Innisfail – Paul Melloy
Ltyentye Apurte Catholic School, Santa Teresa – Andrew Morton
Marist College Kogarah - David Forrester
Notre Dame College, Bells Creek – Dan McShea
Parramatta Marist High School, Westmead - Dr Gavin Hays
St Francis Primary School, Ayr - Lisa Fitzsimmons
St Marcellin Catholic College, Madora Bay - Anita O'Donohue
Please keep in your prayers our two new Marist schools that are opening this year. Notre Dame College at Bells Creek on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland and Saint Marcellin College at Madora Bay in Western Australia.
In this Jubilee year, the universal Church celebrate as Pilgrims of Hope. May these words from the Holy Father inspire our Marist school communities throughout 2025.
The Jubilee Prayer
Father in heaven,
may the faith you have given us
in your son, Jesus Christ, our brother,
and the flame of charity enkindled
in our hearts by the Holy Spirit,
reawaken in us the blessed hope
for the coming of your Kingdom.
May your grace transform us
into tireless cultivators of the seeds of the Gospel.
May those seeds transform from within both humanity
and the whole cosmos
in the sure expectation
of a new heaven and a new earth,
when, with the powers of Evil vanquished,
your glory will shine eternally.
May the grace of the Jubilee
reawaken in us, Pilgrims of Hope,
a yearning for the treasures of heaven.
May that same grace spread
the joy and peace of our Redeemer
throughout the earth.
To you our God, eternally blessed,
be glory and praise for ever.
Amen
Pope Francis