Celebrating Decades of Service to Catholic Education

1st June, 2026

At the recent Catholic Schools Awards Evening, we paused to recognise an extraordinary milestone in the life of Catholic education. The 50 Years of Service Award honours exceptional commitment spanning half a century, a remarkable witness of faith, dedication and service to generations of students, families and colleagues. To serve for fifty years is not simply a measure of time, but a profound testament to vocation, perseverance and an enduring commitment to the mission of Catholic education.

We were privileged to recognise two individuals whose lifelong service has helped shape school communities, inspire countless young people and leave a lasting legacy across our Diocese.

The recipients of the 50 Years of Service Awards were:

Gerard Carey
Anne Buffier

The evening also celebrated a remarkable group of staff members who have dedicated four decades of service to Catholic education. The 40 Years of Service Award recognises not only longevity, but also the lasting impact these individuals have made through their commitment to students, colleagues, families and school communities over many years.

The recipients of the 40 Years of Service Awards were:

  1. Alison Tilse
  2. Anne Atkins
  3. Anne-Maree Mantach
  4. Annemarie Arkell
  5. Annette Mansfield
  6. Anthony Stone
  7. Bernadette Burgess
  8. Bernard Kerby
  9. Carmel Martin
  10. Carolyn Delore
  11. Cassie Mowbray
  12. Christopher Henry
  13. Debbie Jordan
  14. Desmond McCosker
  15. Dianne Bond
  16. Dianne Vaughan
  17. Duilio Rufo
  18. Erika Ford
  19. Eva Gibson
  20. Jacinta Byrne
  21. Jane Dougherty
  22. Jane Rees
  23. Jennifer Merrick
  24. Jennifer Stamp
  25. Joanne Clarke
  26. Joseph Senkalski
  27. Julie Elliott
  28. Kay Latham
  29. Kerri Hogan
  30. Kristine Playford
  31. Leanne Hogan
  32. Leanne Kepreotes
  33. Leanne O’Brien
  34. Lesley Shipman
  35. Linda Dunn
  36. Louise Forrester
  37. Louise Mahony
  38. Louise Walsh
  39. Mandy Willis
  40. Margaret-Mary Spencer
  41. Margaret Crane
  42. Margaret Shafren
  43. Mark O’Neill
  44. Mark Wright
  45. Martin Vaughan
  46. Narelle Cross
  47. Nicoletta Di Santo
  48. Patricia Murray
  49. Patrick Campbell
  50. Peter Brown
  51. Philip Peate
  52. Raeleen Austin
  53. Robert Emery
  54. Robyn Harris
  55. Rosemary Golledge
  56. Sheena O’Doherty
  57. Silvia Seymour
  58. Tamara Burns

Together, these award recipients represent an extraordinary depth of experience, wisdom and commitment. Through their dedication to Catholic education, they have enriched the lives of thousands of students and contributed significantly to the strength and vitality of our school communities. We thank them for their faithful service and congratulate them on this outstanding achievement.