2024 AMSSA Student Conference

Catherine McAuley College Bendigo (CMCB) and Sacred Heart College, Kyneton (SHC) were delighted to host students and staff at the Australasian Mercy Secondary Schools Association for the 2024 Student Conference at the end of June.

After months of planning and anticipation, we welcomed delegates from twenty-one Mercy schools from Victoria, New South Wales, South Australia and Tasmania. Nine students represented CMCB: from Year 10 – Rose McSweeney, Charlie Bombardieri, Ned Howe, Bailey Holland, Jack Kelly and Toby McClellan and from Year 11 – Holly Neilson, Caleb Tobin and Sophie Hughes.

Delegates began arriving on Monday afternoon from the airport, by train and by bus. They had the opportunity to meet each other at a pre-conference dinner on Monday night with pizza from Luchianos Pizza, a school-family business that worked on their day off to accommodate the conference.

The conference began officially on Tuesday morning with a heartfelt Welcome to Country by Troy Firebrace and the didgeridoo played by Eoin O’Grady (Year 9). The first keynote speaker was Sr Sally Bradley, Executive Director of Mercy Works. She shared insights into the ways Mercy Works lives out Mercy In Action, working in partnership with disadvantaged communities in Australia, Papua New Guinea, Timor-Leste and the Philippines. In the afternoon, delegates explored Bendigo’s historical past, with a visit to the Central Deborah Gold Mine and a ride on the Dja Dja Wurrung Tram.

Later in the afternoon, a very special Mass was celebrated in the Sacred Heart Cathedral, led by Bishop Shane Mackinlay. A joint choir, including soloists, made up of CMCB and SHC students, under the direction of Ms Deb Ross, provided beautiful and memorable music for the Mass. This was followed by the Conference Dinner in the ornate surroundings of the Bendigo Town Hall. Here the delegates danced the night away with music provided by the musical duo Slide, featuring our own Mr Matt Angove. Everyone had a wonderful time and visitors revelled in the ‘Bridgerton-like’ atmosphere of the Town Hall.

On the second day, the conference theme ‘Mercy: Pathways of Joy and Hope’ was explored in the first session by members of the Young Mercy Links teams from Melbourne and Adelaide.

This was followed by hands-on workshops, focused on ‘responding to the needs of our time’. The delegates were able to put Mercy in action by preparing almost 200 birthing kits, packing bags for McAuley Community Services for Women using items collected by CMCB and SHC families, finding out about refugee advocacy and learning more about sustainable textiles.

During the workshops, delegates were joined by residents and students involved in the iGEN program. The guests joined in or watched the activities and then enjoyed lunch with the group. The visit provided a memorable afternoon for them and demonstrated how valuable the iGEN program is in enriching the lives of both residents and students.

In the afternoon, delegates visited the Great Stupa of Universal Compassion to experience the wonder of the largest stupa outside Asia and to be inspired by the many faiths represented in the peaceful gardens. Sessions were led by a Buddhist nun as well as our Assistant Principal Faith, Mission and Community, Mrs Cara Pawsey.

The jam-packed day continued well into the evening, with social activities hosted by the CMCB students – netball, LEGO, soccer, a tour of the farm and finishing with karaoke and games in the MJSP. After a final dinner together, delegates reflected on the day, passing the school candles around the table and each person sharing what the day’s activities meant to them. The final activity of the day was a clothes swap, putting sustainability theory into action. Each delegate contributed an item of clothing and went away with something ‘new’.

After an early start, the final morning was hosted at Sacred Heart College in Kyneton. Juliet Talarico’s presentation ‘Becoming Terra Leaders’ led to lots of discussion and great questions, looking at Laudato ‘Si, Care for our Common Home and the intersection between Mercy spirituality and environmental stewardship.

After a closing liturgy in the chapel at Sacred Heart and a final goodbye, delegates made their way home inspired to take action and full of the Mercy spirit.

Throughout the conference, the students from CMCB were tremendous ambassadors for our College. They thoroughly enjoyed their time and were so friendly and inclusive to all the visitors, ensuring that everyone felt welcomed. They made many new friends and will now be full of enthusiasm and great ideas for ways to put what they have learned into action.

A special thanks to Two Sisters Catering who provided delicious meals throughout the conference, including three early breakfasts. The food was well appreciated by all, and the team were wonderful to work with.

Congratulations and many thanks to our wonderful staff who helped make the conference such a great success, including Barbara Lomas, Cara Pawsey, Sonja Cain, Stephanie Donnellon, Erin Varker, Brian Turner, Craig Green, Sean Murray, Felicity Johnson, Alistair Killick, Maree Pearce, Deborah Ross, Rebecca Briggs and Emma Ryan as well as the Danihers staff.