Structure
Branches
Victorian Branch of the Mary MacKillop Foundation
The Victorian State Committee was accepted as a branch of the Mary MacKillop Foundation Ltd in April 1994. This branch had its origins in a committed group established in 1992 to promote and extend awareness, understanding and appreciation of Mary MacKillop. It was based at 11 Brunswick St, Fitzroy, near the site of Mary’s birthplace.
Through active involvement and cooperation with the national body, our vision has been refined and developed to reflect that of the Mary MacKillop Foundation Ltd. At the time of Mary MacKillop’s Beatification, we were involved in planning for the Ceremony in St Patrick’s Cathedral and the Celebration day in Melbourne. Over the years we have raised funds through Art Shows, Concerts, Raffles, Craft Markets, Dinners, Auctions and a variety of other initiatives. We have received applications for funding and distributed funds to some of the most needy in our society. In recent years we have made recommendations to the Board of Directors regarding Victorian applications for funding.
There are eight members of the Victorian Branch of the Mary MacKillop Foundation and we are proud of our role in continuing the work of Mary MacKillop by supporting the most needy in our society today.
Western Australian Branch of the Mary MacKillop Foundation
History
Western Australia has always actively pursued the vision of Mary MacKillop in whatever practical way it could since the beginnings of the branch prior to the Beatification of Blessed Mary MacKillop in 1995. In response to the need to plan for the nationally focused Beatification Ceremony in Sydney, the WA branch was born. The role of the WA committee was to educate the public about the importance of the Beatification and to organise events in Perth to highlight and celebrate this historic event. Sr Marie Foale’s book “The Josephites Go West” (University of Notre Dame Press: 1995) alludes to the beginnings of the Foundation in the WA.
Along with the desire to celebrate this unique happening in appropriate ways, came the realisation that a Constitution for the WA branch needed to be written. The Beatification became the impetus for a giant leap forward for the Mary MacKillop Foundation in WA.
Over the ensuing years the composition of the committee, in accordance with the newly established Constitution, has changed at regular intervals.
What has not changed is the promotion of the vision of Mary MacKillop.
Through programmes focused on helping individuals and groups of people to grow spiritually, emotionally and socially, the WA branch conducts a range of activities to raise funds.
Meetings are held on a regular basis throughout the year and correspond with the times of planned fund raising functions. The Annual General meeting occurs in September. The annual rating and recommendation of the funding applications occurs at one of these meetings.
The Constitution allows for a two (2) year tenure for members. At present, the committee consists of 7 members. They are:
- The WA Provincial Leader of the Sisters of St Joseph
- Sr Pauline Morgan
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Sr Leonie Mayne - Chairperson
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Ms Derral Shreeve
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Mrs Kerry Katich
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Mr John McCormack
Mr George Howell
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Mr Laurie Mayne
