All Hallows’ School Celebration of Excellence
9 October 2025, Brisbane
The All Hallows’ School community of students, families, and staff recently came together for their annual Celebration of Excellence evening—an inspiring event dedicated to recognising outstanding achievements across academics, cultural pursuits, sporting excellence, Mercy Action, and service.
The evening was a joyful showcase of the remarkable talent, dedication, and hard work demonstrated by students throughout the year. From academic distinction to compassionate service, the event highlighted the diverse ways in which All Hallows’ students live out the values of the Mercy tradition.
Kieran McCarthy, Mercy Partners Board Liaison for All Hallows’ School, was honoured to attend the celebration.
Mount Alvernia College 2025 Celebration of Excellence Ceremony
20 October 2025, Brisbane
The Mount Alvernia College community recently came together as a proud Franciscan community to celebrate their annual Celebration of Excellence—an event dedicated to recognising the remarkable achievements of students across academics, community engagement, cultural pursuits, sporting excellence, and house activities.
This vibrant gathering was a true reflection of the College’s commitment to holistic education, celebrating not only academic success but also the values of leadership, service, and personal growth. The evening highlighted the dedication, talent, and spirit of students who strive to live out the Franciscan values of humility, compassion, and courage in all aspects of their school life.
Professor Lee Anne Perry, Mercy Partners Board Liaison for Mount Alvernia College, was honoured to attend the event. She witnessed firsthand the students’ determination and resilience, which continue to inspire the wider school community.
St Rita’s College Annual Thanksgiving Celebration
20 October 2025, Brisbane
The St Rita’s College community gathered on 20 October 2025 to celebrate their Annual Thanksgiving Celebration and the presentation of College Awards.
This special evening served not only as a recognition of the exceptional accomplishments of the College’s students, but also as a heartfelt moment of gratitude—reflecting on the many blessings and successes experienced throughout the year.
Cheryl Caughley, Mercy Partners Board Director and Board Liaison for the College, was honoured to attend the event, joining in the spirit of thanksgiving and celebrating the remarkable achievements of the students.
St Patrick’s College 2025 Awards Evening
22 October 2025, Townville
On 22 October 2025, the St Patrick’s College Townsville community came together for their highly anticipated Awards Evening—a celebration of academic excellence, dedication, and student achievement.
The evening provided a meaningful opportunity to recognise and honour the outstanding efforts of students across all year levels. It was a time to reflect on the hard work, perseverance, and commitment that have defined the academic journey throughout the year.
Families, staff, and special guest, including Mercy Partners Board Director and Board Liaison for the College, Lee Anne Perry joined in the celebration, applauding the students not only for their scholastic accomplishments but also for their growth, resilience, and contributions to the College community.
"Catherine McAuley" © Jen Norton. www.JenNortonArtStudio.com Used with permission.
Mercy Alliance Online Formation Session
30 October 2025, Online
The Mercy Alliance is a collaborative network of the four Public Juridic Persons (PJPs) in Australia and New Zealand: Mercy Ministry Companions, Mercy Care, Whānau Mercy Ministries, and Mercy Partners. Each year, the Mercy Alliance hosts two formation sessions to deepen understanding and engagement with the Mercy mission.
On 30 October, Anna Nicholls led a formation session exploring the theme:
“A Legacy of Connection: 175 Years of Mercy Networking”. Drawing inspiration from Catherine McAuley’s ethos to “divide and share,” Anna guided participants through the rich history of Mercy networking across Aotearoa New Zealand and Australia. She highlighted how this enduring tradition continues to shape and energise Mercy mission today.
The session was attended by several directors and leaders from Mercy Partners Board and its ministries.
Mercy Partners Board Induction
29 October 2025, Online
On 29 October 2025, Mercy Partners conducted a two-hour online induction session for newly appointed ministry Board Directors. The session offered a comprehensive introduction to key aspects of Mercy Partners’ governance and mission, providing Directors with valuable insights into their roles and responsibilities.
Topics covered during the session included:
- The history and founding purpose of Mercy Partners
- An overview of Mercy Partners’ Reserve Powers as the Sole Member of each ministry
- Ministry reporting obligations
- Introduction to the Mercy Partners Annual Ministry Planning Guide
- Governance and formation principles within Mercy Partners
- The role of ministry Boards in supporting formation within their ministries
- Understanding ministry charisms
- Catholic identity and its expression within ministries
- Mercy Partners’ Theological Framework
The online induction session was facilitated by Mercy Partners CEO, John Leahy and Board Director, Cath Bartolo.
2025 Mater People Awards
31 October 2025, Brisbane
On Friday, 31 October, Mercy Partners Board Director Les Jones had the honour of attending the 2025 Mater People Awards—a special evening dedicated to celebrating the outstanding contributions of Mater staff.
Held annually, the Mater People Awards shine a spotlight on individuals and teams who exemplify the values and mission of the Mater through their dedication, compassion, and service. The event provides a meaningful opportunity to recognise those who consistently go above and beyond in their roles, making a lasting impact on patients, colleagues, and the broader community.
Les Jones expressed his deep appreciation for the incredible work being done across the organisation and was inspired by the stories of excellence, innovation, and care shared throughout the evening. The awards serve as a powerful reminder of the strength and spirit of the Mater community.
