The Catholic Weekly 14 June 2020

catholicweekly.com.au 5 14, June, 2020 CATHOLICS ACROSS Syd- ney and the country were rec- ognised for their outstand- ing service to Australians in the annual Queen’s Birthday honours list. St Patrick’s church in Mort- lake saw two parishioners honoured, Mike Bailey and former Liberal MP Paul Zam- mit, both with a Medal in the General Division (OAM). Mr Bailey is the executive officer to the vicar general and the chancellor of the archdio- cese as well as serving as chair of the Wests Ashfield Leagues Club and on the boards of several charities. The former journalist and weather pre- senter was awarded for ser- vices to rugby league and the community. “I am very much a ‘man in the stand’ who has not played the game but worked to keep the history of Wests Magpies and Balmain Tigers alive dur- ing a very tough period for the Wests Tigers team,” said Mr Bailey. Mr Zammit was honoured for his service to the parlia- ments of Australia and New South Wales, and to the com- munity. He runs a regular Catho- lic breakfast group at NSW Parliament House and said he and his wife Rita Zammit who received an OAM six years ago, have always taken to heart the apostle St Luke’s emphasis on taking care of the poor, the sick and disa- bled. “After all, isn’t this what we should always try to do as practising Catholics?” he said. Principal of Holy Spirit Pri- mary School in Carnes Hill Patrician Brother Nicholas Harsas received an OAM for service to education and the Church. Br Nicholas said he was proud to receive the honour on behalf of all the Religious Brothers and Sisters, includ- ing Patrician Brothers, who have ministered in Catholic education over the years. A Sister of Mercy and a Josephite Sister were each awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia in the General Di- vision (OAM). Sr Margaret Mary Cleary RSJ was recognised for her service to the Church, while Sr Kate Conley RSM received an OAM for her service to the Church and to women. “I am honoured and hum- bled to receive the Order of Australia Medal,” said Sr Mar- garet, who said St Mary MacK- illop had been a “wonderful inspiration of living life to the full” and fostering regard for every person regardless of creed, culture or background. Jay Bonnington, who has been the Catholic Health Australia representative on a number of boards, was made a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for “signifi- cant service to the community through support for charita- ble organisations and to busi- ness”. Julien O’Connell, the Pro-Chancellor for the Aus- tralian Catholic University, was made an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in rec- ognition for his contribution to community health through aged care in executive roles and higher education. “All of my working life I seemed to have been bless- ed by having the right people around me, you cannot do it without having the best of people,” Mr O’Connell told media. Queensland military chap- lain Deacon Gary Stone re- ceived his OAM for service to veterans and their families. Francis Sullivan, the for- mer chief executive of the Church’s Truth Justice and Healing Council, was also made an Officer in the Order of Australia in the General Di- vision (AO). He was recognised “for distinguished service to the community, particularly through social justice and legislative reform initiatives, and to health and aged care”. ¾ ¾ Marilyn Rodrigues Any success I have had in Catholic edu- cation is directly related to the cooperation I have received from the stu- dents, staff, priests and parents of the com- munities where I have served and ministered.” Brother Nicholas Harsas AUSTRALIAN CATHOLIC University has received a Federal grant of more than $240,000 to support the tran- sition of Australian Defence Force veterans from the mili- tary to university study. The grant from the Office of the Minister for Veterans’ Af- fairs and Minister for Defence Personnel will support the university’s innovative Vet- eran’s Entry Program (VEP) launched by the university in 2019 as part of its wider Stu- dent Veterans Support Pro- gram (SVSP). ¾ ¾ Marilyn Rodrigues ACU grant to aid Vets The VEPmade ACU the first Australian university to offer consistent entry requirements for veterans, regardless of state of residence and study. Chief executive officer of the Australian Student Vet- erans Association, Matthew Wyatt-Smith said the program “significantly reduces” the barriers of entry for prospec- tive student veterans who are seeking to undertake tertiary education following their mil- itary career. “This program benefits both the veteran, regardless of rank, and society at large, as these exceptionally capable individuals will be empow- ered through higher learn- ing to contribute to society through employment where tertiary education is a prereq- uisite,” Mr Wyatt-Smith said. ACU Pathways Director Marta Skrbis said that ACU recognises “unique challeng- es faced by student veterans during their transitioning from the defence force into ac- ademic life”. ”With the addition of the grant, SVSP is very well posi- tioned to become themodel of excellence in supporting stu- dent veterans to success in the Australian tertiary education.” Stay safe and happy at home with holistic home care packages Discover our range of in-home services 1300 216 675 Queen honours Catholics Awards recognise lives devoted to community in diverse ways Brother Nicholas Harsas Paul and Rita Zammit Sr Margaret Mary Cleary RSJ Mike Bailey Julien O’Connell NEWS