ARCHDIOCESE OF MELBOURNE REPORT
Catholic Mission honoured with solidarity award
Friday 26 October 2012
LAST week Catholic Mission was one of several organisations and individuals honoured with a Palms Australia Solidarity Award.
Catholic Mission received the Fr Cyril Hally award in honour of contributions to the ongoing recruitment and preparation of Australians in cross-cultural mission. The award was presented to Catholic Mission’s director, Mr Martin Teulan, by the East Timorese ambassador, Mr Abel Guterres.
The awards were the culmination of a celebration of solidarity with addresses by Palms Australia’s two recently inaugurated Patrons, Nobel Prize Laureate and Former President and Prime Minister of Timor-Leste, Dr José Ramos Horta, and military chaplain from Brisbane Deacon Gary Stone.
Dr Ramos Horta spoke of the challenges that face Timor-Leste, including ending child malnutrition and increasing educational opportunities for all. He also explained the reasons for his decision to become a patron of Palms Australia.
Gary Stone, an ordained deacon and military chaplain from Brisbane, responded to Dr Ramos Horta’s address with a rousing call for action from the attendees of the dinner. He called on those present to assist Palms Australia financially, as well as through recruiting future volunteers and in promoting the important work being done in East Timor within the broader community.
Palms Australia’s Assistant Director, Brendan Joyce declared the evening a tremendous success and is already looking forward to the 2013 awards.
“In 2012, we have gratefully received some support from AusAID’s pilot volunteer fund, “ Mr Joyce says, “but events like this are essential if we are to build a stable support base so that we can continue responding to the issues identified by Dr Ramos Horta and our Timorese partners.”
Other award winners included the Catholic Education Offices of Parramatta and Broken Bay, in recognition of their long-term engagement in improving education in Timor-Leste. Mary Gilchrist, a former director and volunteer of Palms Australia who was present at Palms Australia’s founding in 1961 was also honoured for her long service; and Barbara Clark, who has volunteered her services in Palms Australia’s offices for ten years was also awarded during the evening.
Former SBS broadcaster Indira Naidoo hosted the evening which also featured performances by Sydney’s Solidarity Choir.
Aunty Janice Kennedy from Parramatta Diocese’s Aboriginal Catholic Services began the evening with a traditional acknowledgment and welcome to country.
LAST week Catholic Mission was one of several organisations and individuals honoured with a Palms Australia Solidarity Award.Catholic Mission received the Fr Cyril Hally award in honour of contributions to the ongoing recruitment and preparation of Australians in cross-cultural mission. The award was presented to Catholic Mission’s director, Mr Martin Teulan, by the East Timorese ambassador, Mr Abel Guterres.
The awards were the culmination of a celebration of solidarity with addresses by Palms Australia’s two recently inaugurated Patrons, Nobel Prize Laureate and Former President and Prime Minister of Timor-Leste, Dr José Ramos Horta, and military chaplain from Brisbane Deacon Gary Stone.
Dr Ramos Horta spoke of the challenges that face Timor-Leste, including ending child malnutrition and increasing educational opportunities for all. He also explained the reasons for his decision to become a patron of Palms Australia.
Gary Stone, an ordained deacon and military chaplain from Brisbane, responded to Dr Ramos Horta’s address with a rousing call for action from the attendees of the dinner. He called on those present to assist Palms Australia financially, as well as through recruiting future volunteers and in promoting the important work being done in East Timor within the broader community.
Palms Australia’s Assistant Director, Brendan Joyce declared the evening a tremendous success and is already looking forward to the 2013 awards.
“In 2012, we have gratefully received some support from AusAID’s pilot volunteer fund, “ Mr Joyce says, “but events like this are essential if we are to build a stable support base so that we can continue responding to the issues identified by Dr Ramos Horta and our Timorese partners.”
Other award winners included the Catholic Education Offices of Parramatta and Broken Bay, in recognition of their long-term engagement in improving education in Timor-Leste. Mary Gilchrist, a former director and volunteer of Palms Australia who was present at Palms Australia’s founding in 1961 was also honoured for her long service; and Barbara Clark, who has volunteered her services in Palms Australia’s offices for ten years was also awarded during the evening.
Former SBS broadcaster Indira Naidoo hosted the evening which also featured performances by Sydney’s Solidarity Choir.
Aunty Janice Kennedy from Parramatta Diocese’s Aboriginal Catholic Services began the evening with a traditional acknowledgment and welcome to country.
SHARED FROM ARCHDIOCESE OF MELBOURNE
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