2025 Spirit of Catholic Education Awards
DOBCEL is proud to continue to sponsor an award process recognising the outstanding service and leadership within Catholic education throughout our Diocesan school communities, and Catholic Education Ballarat.
In 2025, the awards align with the DOBCEL Strategy 2035 strategic priorities, which are positioned to support our vision: “as partners in Catholic Education and open to God’s presence, we pursue fullness of life for all.”
Guided by the vision, and the DOBCEL Strategy 2035 we will move towards the strategy and commonly agreed intentions through three practical principles:
- Deeper collaboration
- Networked local innovation
- Collective autonomy and agency
At least one award recipient will be selected, with a maximum of three awards each year. Award recipients will be presented during the Catholic Education Week Dinner. All nominees will be acknowledged.
2025 nominees have now been announced. View the list of individuals and teams who have been nominated below.
Award criteria
Nominations are based on the following six categories:
- Catholic Identity
- Collaborative Cultures
- Engagement and Belonging
- School as Community
- Rich Pedagogical Practices for Deeper Learning and Wellbeing
- Sustainable Stewardship
Key Dates
Nominations have now closed and the judging panel is reviewing each nomination. Thank you to everyone who submitted a nomination!
- Nominees announced – Wednesday 30 April 2025
- Winners announced – Catholic Education Week Dinner – Friday 30 May 2025
List of Nominees for 2025
Congratulations to the following 15 nominees
We are thrilled to announce the nominees for this year’s Spirit of Catholic Education Award. These individuals have been nominated by their peers and have demonstrated dedication, passion, and commitment to our community, embodying the true spirit of Catholic education.
Maria-Stella Blagus, St Paul’s Primary School, Mildura, Religious Education Leader
Nominated for: CATHOLIC IDENTITY
Bambi Afford, St. Columba’s Primary School Ballarat, Co-Principal
Nominated for: CATHOLIC IDENTITY
John O’Sullivan, St Malachy’s Primary School Edenhope, Principal
Nominated for: CATHOLIC IDENTITY
Carmel Hanley, Lumen Christi Primary School Delacombe, Principal
Nominated for: SCHOOL AS COMMUNITY
Ned Baldwin, St Alipius Primary School Ballarat East, Maintenance and Garden Worker
Nominated for: SCHOOL AS COMMUNITY
Mary Hogan, St Joseph’s Charlton Primary School Charlton, Principal
Nominated for: SCHOOL AS COMMUNITY
Jacinta Skilbeck (Director Faith & Mission), Natasha Cummings (Social Justice & Community Service Coordinator) & Natalie Elliot-Jackson (Learning Diversity Assistant), Emmanuel College Warrnambool
Nominated for: SCHOOL AS COMMUNITY
Joanne O’Kelly, Emmaus Catholic Primary School Mount Clear, Deputy Principal – Wellbeing
Nominated for: SCHOOL AS COMMUNITY
Tony Nield, St Brigid’s College Horsham, Business Manager
Nominated for: SUSTAINABLE STEWARDSHIP
Peter Morgan, Emmanuel College Warrnambool, Principal
Nominated for: SUSTAINABLE STEWARDSHIP
James Couzens, St Patrick’s College Ballarat, Classroom Teacher
Nominated for: RICH PEDAGOGICAL PRACTICES FOR DEEPER LEARNING AND WELLBEING
Lauren Gould, Catholic Education Ballarat, Education Officer – Languages
Nominated for: RICH PEDAGOGICAL PRACTICES FOR DEEPER LEARNING AND WELLBEING
Yuichi Deguchi, St Joseph’s Primary School Warrnambool, Teacher of Japanese (LOTE)
Nominated for: COLLABORATIVE CULTURES
Chris Young, Catholic Education Ballarat, Team Leader: Payroll
Nominated for: COLLABORATIVE CULTURES
Brendan Chalmers, Catholic Education Ballarat, Capital Works Project Delivery Officer
Nominated for: ENGAGEMENT AND BELONGING
Each nominee has made significant contributions to their respective roles and has positively impacted the lives of students, staff, and the broader community. We thank them for their dedication to fostering the ‘Spirit of Catholic Education’.
Selection Panel
The task of the selection panel is to research each nomination and identify the most outstanding candidate/s in the five categories. All recommended award recipients will be forwarded to the Executive Director.
The panel will consist of:
- Manager Organisational Development – Panel Chair (no voting rights);
- Catholic Education Team representative – panel member; Matt Byrne
- Stewardship team representative – panel member; Jo Huntley
- Business Services representative- panel member; Donna Mason
2024 Spirit of Catholic Education Awards
Outstanding contributors to Catholic education in the Diocese of Ballarat were recognised with Spirit of Catholic Education Awards and 30 Year Service Awards presented at the Catholic Education Week Awards Dinner in May 2024.
Three outstanding educators received the Spirit of Catholic Education Award, chosen from 17 wonderful nominees from across the diocese.
For the complete list of winners and nominees, and to learn more about their incredible work, visit the link below.
