2022 Catholic Education Awards Announced

27 May 2022

Educators and students from schools across Gippsland and Melbourne’s south-eastern fringe have been recognised for their dedication, with the Diocese of Sale Catholic Education awards.

Fourteen awards were presented at a Leadership Eucharist Dinner to launch the beginning of Catholic Education Week (May 27 – June 3) in the Diocese of Sale.

Director of Catholic Education for the Diocese of Sale, Ms Maria Kirkwood, congratulated award recipients for the wonderful work they do in inspiring faith and learning.

“Our schools are led by educators and support staff who are passionately committed to the learning, safety and well-being of each student in their care. We are very proud of our staff and students’ commitment and achievements,” she said.

The Diocese of Sale covers 38 Catholic primary schools and seven Catholic secondary schools in a geographic area that spans from Melbourne’s outer south eastern suburbs, throughout Gippsland all the way to Orbost in the east.

Photo: Spirit of Catholic Education 2022 award. From left Ms Maria Kirkwood, Director of Catholic Education Diocese of Sale, Mr Simon Cuckson of St Francis Xavier College, Beaconsfield (Inspiring Faith award), Ms Claire Fabris of Lavalla Catholic College at Traralgon (Inspiring Learning award), Ms Carol Browne of St Clare’s Catholic Primary School Officer (Inspiring Learning award) and Very Reverend Peter Slater, Vicar General Diocese of Sale

Spirit of Catholic Education Awards

Inspiring Faith

The Spirit of Catholic Education Award for Inspiring Faith is awarded for a significant contribution to the development of students’ faith lives.

Award recipients

Ms Fiona MacRae - Marist-Sion College, Warragul
Mr Simon Cuckson - St Francis Xavier College, Beaconsfield

Inspiring Learning

The Spirit of Catholic Education Award for Inspiring Learning is awarded for a significant contribution to student learning.

Award recipients

Ms Carol Browne - St Clare’s Primary School, Officer
Ms Claire Fabris - Lavalla Catholic College, Traralgon

Fr James Wall Bursary - Leadership Achievement Award

Each year, six students across Australia are selected to receive the Father James Wall Bursary. The bursary recognises the achievements of Catholic secondary school students who demonstrate outstanding leadership and service to others. The recipients each receive $4,000 from the Catholic Development Fund to assist with school fees and other expenses incurred while undertaking studies in Years 11 and 12.

Scholarship recipient

Miss Brydie Cunningham - Marist Sion College Warragul

Photo: Father James Wall Bursary 2022 award from left: Mr Brendan Hoy, General Manager Client Services Catholic Development Fund (CDF), Ms Maria Kirkwood, Director of Catholic Education Diocese of Sale, awardee Miss Brydie Cunningham, student at Marist-Sion College, Warragul, Very Reverend Peter Slater, Vicar General Diocese of Sale, Aaron Gupta Relationship Manager Catholic Development Fund (CDF).

Elizabeth Hunt Scholarship

The Elizabeth Hunt Scholarship provides support to students undertaking a Bachelor of Education or a Bachelor of Teaching at Australian Catholic University.

Scholarship recipients

Miss Lucy Hickmott – Marist-Sion College, Warragul
Miss Rachael Ramsay – Mary MacKillop Catholic Regional College, Leongatha

Photo: Elizabeth Hunt Scholarship 2022 awardees from left: Very Reverend Peter Slater, Vicar General Diocese of Sale, Elizabeth Hunt Scholarship awardees Miss Rachael Ramsay graduate of Mary MacKillop Catholic Regional College, Leongatha, Miss Lucy Hickmott graduate of Marist-Sion College, Warragul and Director of Catholic Education Diocese of Sale

Service Awards

Service Awards are presented to staff members who have provided at least 25 years of service to Catholic Education in Australia.

Award recipients

Mr David Cooper – St Vincent de Paul Primary School, Morwell
Mr Ernie Rijs – St Peter’s College, Cranbourne
Mr John O’Sullivan – St Peter’s College, Cranbourne
Ms Kelley Cooper – St Peter’s College, Cranbourne
Deacon Mark Kelly – Marist-Sion College, Warragul
Ms Nicole Vanatta – Marist-Sion College, Warragul
Mr Paul Kimonides – St Francis Xavier College, Beaconsfield

Photo: Congratulations to all Catholic Education Award recipients. Back row from left: Mr Paul Kimonides, Mr Simon Cuckson, Mr David Cooper, Deacon Mark Kelly, Mr Ernie Rijs, Miss Racheal Ramsay.

Front row from left: Miss Brydie Cunningham, Very Reverend Peter Slater, Vicar General Diocese of Sale, Ms Maria Kirkwood, Director of Catholic Education Diocese of Sale, Ms Kelly Cooper, Ms Carol Browne and Miss Lucy Hickmott.