Presentation Evening 2024

Our annual Presentation Evening on Thursday 12 December 2025 in the Mercy Junortoun Sporting Precinct. Students from Years 7 to 11, their families and College staff gathered to celebrate high academic achievement across all subjects, as well as special awards and scholarships.

Year 12 Awards will be presented at the Laureate Assembly on Tuesday 4 February 2025, following Opening Mass.

2025 College Captains, Caleb Tobin and Jaida Raco, read the Acknowledgement and Prayer at the beginning of proceedings.

Students who have achieved academic excellence were acknowledged with Academic Subject Dux Awards across all subjects and year levels. There were also scholarships and special awards in a range of categories that recognised high achievements or dedication by students.

We were delighted to welcome the following guests to present special awards, Sister Anne Cossar rsm, Mr Tim Coates from the St Vincent’s Past Students Association, Mr Mick and Mrs Jill English, Mrs Loretta Prowse, Mr Mark Tracy from Bendigo South Rotary and Ms Rani Dorrington from La Trobe University.

Term 4 Spirit of Catherine Awards were presented to students at each year level from Year 7 to Year 11. The Spirit of Catherine Awards recognise members of our community who epitomise the Mercy values and demonstrate Living Mercy in their words and actions.

• Year 7: Luelle Green & Bohdi Jakubik
• Year 8: Andrew Merrett & Matilda Rutzou
• Year 9: Eliza Evans & Ava McLauchlan
• Year 10: Charlie Bombardieri & Georgia Thompson
• Year 11: Holly Neilson & Tessa Skipper

The Seeds of Justice Award, which is given in memory of Sarah Slattery to a Year 9 or 10 student who has shown the greatest commitment to social justice, was awarded to Rose McSweeney (Year 10). Rose is a student who is committed to her studies, keenly involved in faith and justice activities and demonstrates the Mercy Values both in and beyond the classroom.

Jack McMahon (Year 12) was announced as the annual Mercy Scholarship recipient, given by Mercy Education Ltd.

Our most esteemed College community award is the Bishop Noel Daly Award for a graduate who has been an exemplary role model throughout their six years at Catherine McAuley College Bendigo. The 2024 recipient was Henry Edwards.

St Vincent’s College Past Students Association confers awards to students who have demonstrated potential and are encouraged further in the areas of Agriculture and Technology. The Technology Award went to Lance Luna and the Agriculture Award to Blake Mannes.

Some awards are given in recognition of former teachers and students including in language, social justice and the arts. The 2024 Val Pinder Memorial Award for French was presented to Owen Perry.

The Jane Taylor Memorial Scholarship supports language students to travel and immerse themselves in the culture of their study. The 2024 winner was Oliver Ryan.

The Year 9 Art Award, Cavalier Scholarship, was awarded to Chloe McCullough and the Friends of the Bendigo Art Gallery Bursary was presented to Chloe Maher.

Several awards and scholarships are also provided by La Trobe University, Melbourne University and the Australian Defence Force to high-achieving students. We thank Ms Rani Dorrington from La Trobe University, who attended the evening and presented the La Trobe School of Business Excellence Awards and the La Trobe Infinity Awards.

Congratulations to all the students who have achieved success in their academic studies, as well as those who represented Catherine McAuley College Bendigo at high levels throughout 2024.