Outstanding contributors to Catholic education recognised
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 and dinner in Ballarat on Friday (30 May 2025).
Three outstanding educators received the Spirit of Catholic Education Award, chosen from 17 wonderful nominees from across the diocese. They are:
(Click on the name to read about the wonderful work of the recipients)
Carmel Hanley, Lumen Christi Primary School Delacombe, Principal
Nominated for: SCHOOL AS COMMUNITY
Chris Young, Catholic Education Ballarat, Team Leader: Payroll
Nominated for: COLLABORATIVE CULTURES
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
Ned Baldwin, St Alipius Primary School Ballarat East, Maintenance and Garden Worker
Nominated for: SCHOOL AS COMMUNITY
Special congratulations to all nominees for the Spirit of Catholic Education Awards in 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
A remarkable 11 teachers and staff who have committed their gifts and talents over 30 years of service to Catholic education were also recognised at Friday’s celebration. They are:
Margaret Bird, Louise Burke, Julie Delaney, Annette George, Mary-Anne Ghidinelli, Lucille Lane, Maria Lee, Gerard Raven, Helen Swarbrick, Francine Lindsey and Christopher White.
We thank you for your dedicated service and recognise the profound influence you have had on the generations of young people in your care.
There are 52 Catholic primary schools and 11 secondary colleges across the Diocese of Ballarat, from Mildura in the north, Portland in the south, and west to Edenhope and Nhill, educating more than 18,500 students and employing over 2,500 teachers and support staff.
