We hope you can join us for the Mary MacKillop Oration and Dinner to be held on Wednesday 21 February 2024 at the Catholic Leadership Centre in East Melbourne.
The Mary MacKillop Oration is named in honour of St Mary MacKillop who was a trail blazer in the development of services in Australia, and is the first Australian to be recognised by the Catholic Church as a saint. Mary’s legacy continues to inspire in a range of ways: in her innovation and ability to motivate others, her organisational skills and her ability to read the signs of the times. This oration aims to maintain the spirit of St Mary MacKillop in the work we do today and has been held during each Catholic Social Service National Conference since its inauguration in 2011.
In 2024 the Mary MacKillop Oration will be given by Claire Victory. Claire will be speaking on the topic: Going back to our roots – what grounds us today in our shared work? Claire has spent 29 years in various roles and capacities with St Vincent de Paul Society, and was its National President from 2019 – 2023. She is trained in law and, after a number of years in legal practice, is currently Director of Industrial Policy & Practice at the Australian Nurses and Midwifery Federation (SA Branch). She believes that most people are essentially good, but that we need strong government and a strong sense of community to ensure that the dignity of all people is respected.
Sr Geraldine Larkins, a member of the Sisters of Saint Joseph of the Sacred Heart (co-founded by Mary MacKillop) will provide a response to the Mary MacKillop Oration.
This event provides an invigorating opportunity for all those working, volunteering and providing support for Catholic social services to gather for this special occasion to acknowledge our collective work and be encouraged together.
Event details:
Date: Wednesday 21 February 2024
Time: 7-9pm
Location: Catholic Leadership Centre, 576 Victoria Parade, East Melbourne 3002
Tickets: $110
The Mary MacKillop Oration and Dinner is held in conjunction with the Catholic Social Services National Conference, although each can be attended independently. We warmly invite you to attend both these events. Read more about the Catholic Social Services National Conference, 21-23 February 2024.
