Sr Mildred rsj and Sr Marcella rsj Catholic Education Award

A highlight of the celebration was the presentation of the annual Sr Mildred rsj and Sr Marcella rsj Catholic Education Award. The award honours primary school students who exemplify the Christian virtue of hope within their school communities.

Named in recognition of the first two Josephite sisters to lead and teach in the Diocese of Sale, the award acknowledges their enduring legacy in Catholic education, which began in 1902 at St Michael’s Catholic Primary School, Traralgon.

Seven Year 6 students selected from Catholic schools across the Diocese were recognised, each receiving a commemorative trophy and $200 bursary to support their Catholic secondary education. They are: 

• Georgia McGuinness – St Brendan’s Catholic Primary School, Lakes Entrance
• Claudia Gunn – St Thomas’ Catholic Primary School, Sale
• Brody Potalej – St Gabriel’s Catholic Primary School, Traralgon
• Nash Bogart – St Ita’s Catholic Primary School, Drouin
• Georgia Vangunster – St Michael’s Catholic Primary School, Berwick
• Amity Wilkinson – St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, Wonthaggi
• Naomi Perera – St Therese’s Catholic Primary School, Cranbourne

Front row from left – Sr Mildred rsj and Sr Marcella rsj Award recipients: Amity Wilkinson, Claudia Gunn, Georgia McGuiness, Nash Bogart, Naomi Perera, Georgia Vangunster, Brody Potalej.

Back row from left: Mr Chris Black – DOSCEL Deputy Executive Director, Mr Garry McLean – DOSCEL Board Chair, Ms Elizabeth Labone – VCEA CEO, Most Reverend Greg Bennet – Bishop of Sale, Mr Paul Velten – DOSCEL Executive Director, Mrs Mary Winter – Diocese of Sale Business Manager.

Elizabeth Hunt Scholarship

The Elizabeth Hunt Scholarship was awarded to Miss Mandy Yako, who graduated from Marist-Sion College in Warragul in 2025 and is currently undertaking university Teaching studies.

The Scholarship provides financial assistance for each year of the course and is designed to encourage graduates to pursue a teaching career in a Catholic school in the Diocese of Sale.

The Diocese of Sale covers 39 Catholic primary schools and seven Catholic secondary schools spanning a geographic area from Melbourne’s outer south-east suburbs from Narre Warren and Cranbourne to Phillip Island in the south, and right throughout Gippsland to Orbost in the east. 

Catholic Education Week is an opportunity for Catholic Schools to welcome people to attend open days and events and see the inspiring activities happening in Catholic schools every day.  For information on tours and enrolment contact your local Catholic school.

Photo above from left – Ms Elizabeth Labone – VCEA CEO, Mandy Yako – Elizabeth Hunt Scholarship recipient, Mrs Lisa Harkin – Principal of Marist-Sion College, Warragul.

Service Award

Catholic Education Service Awards – 25 years or more of service

26 staff members from Catholic primary and secondary schools across our diocese each received a Service Award in recognition of 25 years or more of service to Australian Catholic education. The staff were issued the awards in their schools to celebrate their achievement with their school community.

Service award recipients for 2026 are: 

• Michael Archipow – Lavalla Catholic College, Traralgon
• Karen Brewster – St Peter’s College, Cranbourne
• Judith Deacon – St Gabriel’s Catholic Primary School, Traralgon
• Chris Denny – Lavalla Catholic College, Traralgon
• Scott Fitzgerald – Catholic College, Sale
• Pamela Fox – St Peter’s College, Cranbourne
• Mark Judd – Lavalla Catholic College, Traralgon
• James Kelliher – Nagle Catholic College, Bairnsdale
• Joanne Kennedy – St Patrick’s Catholic Primary School, Stratford
• Paul Lee – Catholic College, Sale
• Caroline Liebelt – Marist-Sion College, Warragul
• Melanie Lindsay – St Agatha’s Catholic Primary School, Cranbourne
• Michelle O’Connor – St Gabriel’s Catholic Primary School, Traralgon
• Norrie Owen – Nagle Catholic College, Bairnsdale
• Petrina Palmer – Don Bosco Catholic Primary School, Narre Warren
• Rosalynn Rechichi – St Francis Xavier College, Berwick
• Shane Reid – Lavalla Catholic College, Traralgon
• Janine Scrivener – St Agatha’s Catholic Primary School, Cranbourne
• Joan Somers – St Michael’s Catholic Primary School, Berwick
• Teresa Tantaro – Lavalla Catholic College, Traralgon
• Judith Taylor – Nagle Catholic College, Bairnsdale
• Andrew Wald – Lavalla Catholic College, Traralgon
• Carmel Walker – Lavalla Catholic College, Traralgon
• Mary Wilson – St Thomas’ Catholic Primary School, Sale
• Elizabeth Yandell – St Agatha’s Catholic Primary School, Cranbourne