2003

26th March 2003
Local Educators Receive Bishop's Award for Excellence in Catholic Education
The Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle's 2002 Education Awards were presented by Catholic Bishop Michael Malone at a cocktail party held at Hamilton last Thursday, 20 March.

The awards, which were established in 1997, recognise and support outstanding commitment and contribution to Catholic education.

Bishop Malone, in consultation with the Diocesan Faith Development Commission, selected the award winners based on the submission of a questionnaire completed by a nominating individual or organisation.

At the awards ceremony, with their families, friends, nominators and members of the Faith Development Commission present, the four winners were presented with a crystal trophy and a ceremonial acknowledgment.

Lidy Waanders of Raymond Terrace is driven both by a hunger to learn more and a desire to help others find and fill that need in themselves. For many years she has been actively involved in groups that foster the faith education of children and adults in St Brigid's Parish.

Kurri Kurri's Christine Chapple teaches high school and is an active Parents & Friends Association member. She has worked tirelessly to ensure that all students in our diocesan schools, regardless of disability, receive the opportunities and benefits of a Catholic education.

Warners Bay octogenarian Norm Mulvaney was honoured for the passion and integrity he brings to his continuing work of educating men in goals. He embodies the Good News of Jesus Christ he shares with the men as he quietly helps them to be the best that they can be.

Lynette MacKay of Tea Gardens is a volunteer state school catechist and a leader of weekly children's liturgy groups. She educates by example, as she lives the faith she seeks to transmit to the children she teaches.

Bishop Malone believes that the conferring of these awards draws the attention of the diocesan community to recognise and affirm significant contributions to Catholic Education: "I mean education in its broadest sense, that is, the assisting of intellectual, moral and/or spiritual development."

"Much of the Church's mission is focussed on personal and communal growth in response to the Gospel. These Diocesan Education Awards offer us an opportunity to acknowledge outstanding contributions by individuals to this development and growth."

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