www.maristc.act.edu.au
For Who They Can Become
Support the formation of young men in your will, through a Marist education that nurtures potential, dignity, and purpose.
Contents
Investing in Young Lives
Since 1968, Marist College Canberra has helped thousands of young men grow into confident, capable and compassionate individuals
We believe in nurturing the whole person, forming strong minds and gentle hearts, through an education grounded in the values of presence, simplicity, family spirit, love of work, and the example of Mary These values underpin everything we do: from learning in the classroom, to camaraderie on the field, and service in the wider community
Many of our students flourish because someone believed in them A bequest to the Marist College Canberra Foundation is a powerful way to pass on that belief It is a way to invest in young lives and ensure that the opportunity of a Marist education remains within reach of students who need it most
Many of our students flourish because someone believed in them. A bequest is a way to pass on that belief.
Why Marist College Canberra?
At the heart of a Marist education is the legacy of Saint Marcellin Champagnat, a French priest who, in the early 1800s, founded the Marist Brothers to educate and care for young people, especially those most in need He saw the dignity and potential in every child and believed that to educate a young person well, you must first love them.
Brother Mark May lived out this mission with quiet strength and deep compassion from the very beginnings of Marist College Canberra His belief in supporting boys doing it tough and helping every student feel seen, known and valued, was a direct expression of Champagnat’s vision.
That legacy lives on at the school today, where we strive to form young men of strong minds and gentle hearts By leaving a bequest to the College, you become part of this story, extending Champagnat’s vision into the future and creating a legacy of your own, one that opens doors, changes lives, and strengthens our community for generations to come.
Two hundred years ago, the founder of the Marist Brothers, St Marcellin Champagnat, claimed his core work was 'to produce good Christians and good citizens ' This remains the goal for Marist College Canberra as there are few responsibilities as crucial to our society as the preparation of young people for life in today’s world. A Marist education provides boys with a spiritual compass while accompanying boys in their restless search for meaning, where they can find God, and where the religious journey is an attractive one - Matthew Hutchison, Headmaster
Nurturing Potential
Why Bursaries?
Why We Need Your Help Your Gift Makes
a Difference
Our community is committed to providing bursaries for students whose families are experiencing financial hardship. These are not scholarships awarded on merit, but practical support based on need, offered with dignity, discretion and compassion.
A gift in your Will helps us:
Provide life-changing support to families in need
Offer access to an education that nurtures character, confidence, and connection
Create a diverse and inclusive student community that reflects the broader society
Support the formation of young men, helping them realise their potential and carry
Marist values into their families, communities, and the world
By joining this effort, you are creating opportunities for young men to grow into thoughtful, engaged citizens ready to make a positive contribution to society.
The Brother Mark May Bursary Fund
The Brother Mark May Bursary Fund sits at the heart of our bursary program Named in honour of one of the College’s most loved and respected leaders, the fund reflects a commitment to inclusion, equity and support for those who need it
Through this fund and other named sub-funds, we can support students from all walks of life: from First Nations backgrounds, refugee families, students living with a disability or families facing unexpected challenges
The Role of the Foundation
The Marist College Canberra Foundation plays a vital role in protecting the integrity of the Brother Mark May Bursary Fund It is responsible for the careful stewardship of all donations and bequests, ensuring that the bursary corpus is invested wisely, grown sustainably, and used in strict accordance with the purpose for which it was established With strong governance and financial oversight, the Foundation safeguards donor intent and ensures the long-term impact of bursary support for generations to come
Christine’s Legacy
ChristineRobertsonwasabeloved teacher,colleague,mentorandfriendat MaristCollegeCanberraformorethan threedecades Affectionatelyknownto generationsofstudentsas“Robbo”,she broughthumour,rigourandhumanityto everythingshedid.Butperhapsher greatestgifttotheCollegecameafterher passingwhenherbequesthelpedfundthe supportforstudentsfromrefugeefamilies, offeredthroughtheBrotherMarkMay BursaryFundastheChristineRobertson RefugeeBursary.
Christinebelieveddeeplyineducationas aforceforgood,notjustforacademic achievement,butforformingdecent, compassionateyoungmen.Shehada sharpeyeforastudent’spotential,andan evensharperoneforexcuses.She expectedalotoftheboys,becauseshe believedinwhattheycouldbecome With herstrongsenseofsocialjusticeandher ownbackgroundshapedbyhardworkand opportunity,Christinetookaparticular interestinmakingsuresupportwasthere forboyswhoneededit
Therefugeescholarshipnowsupported throughherbequestdoesjustthat, openingthedoorsofaMaristeducationto studentswhohaveoftenovercome incrediblehardshipjusttoarrivein Australia.Itisalegacythatcaptures Christine’svalues:fairness,inclusion, generosityandbeliefinthepowerof educationtochangelives
Christine’s own life was shaped by the same spirit. A Commonwealth Scholarship student herself, she was the first in her family to finish high school and go to university From a young age, she worked part-time jobs, studied hard, and made things happen She never asked for the spotlight, but she noticed everything, cared deeply, and always found a way to help. Whether that meant working late with a struggling student, supporting colleagues, or helping her neighbours or parish community in retirement, Christine quietly showed what it means to live a life of purpose.
Through her bequest, Christine’s impact continues, not just in memory, but in action Her story reminds us that planned gifts, large or small, can express our passions and create lasting change. For Christine, it meant supporting young people from refugee backgrounds to find their place and flourish at Marist For others, a gift in their will might honour a teacher, continue a family connection, or help future students access the same opportunities they once had.
Christine’s generosity will be felt for years to come, not only in bursaries awarded, but in the values those boys will carry into the world
Beyond the School Gates
A Legacy that Spreads
A Marist education is not only an investment in the student - it is an investment in the world that student will shape.
When you support bursaries, you are helping to develop young men who will carry Marist values into every part of society: into classrooms and courtrooms, boardrooms and backyards, hospitals, construction sites, community centres and playing fields Wherever they go, they bring with them the integrity, compassion and purpose they formed here.
Your legacy doesn’t end at graduation It lives on in the actions these young men take, the people they help and love, and the communities they strengthen
Your Legacy More than a Gift
ChooseHowYouGive
LeavingabequesttotheMaristCollege CanberraFoundationisadeeplypersonal andenduringwaytomakeadifference.It affirmsyourvaluesandensuresthatyour generositylivesonthroughthelivesof others
Youmaychoosetodirectyourbequestto:
•TheBrotherMarkMayBursaryFundfor supportwhereitismostneeded,oroneof thesesub-funds:
OldBoysBursary
ChristineRobertsonRefugeeBursary RonaandArthurBoydSpecial EducationBursary
IndigenousStudentsBursary
Whateverformittakes,yourbequestwill beusedtoextendopportunitiesand removebarriers,fortoday’sstudentsand tomorrow’s
Recognisingyour Contribution
Whenyounotifyusofabequest,youare invitedtobecomepartofourcommunity ofsupporters Whilesomeprefertoremain anonymous,otherschoosetobe acknowledgedthroughCollege publicationsorevents.Knowingyour intentionsenablesustothankyouforyour giftinyourlifetimeinwaysthatare meaningfulforyou–whetherthatbeby sharingnewsaboutthebursariesandthe workoftheFoundation,welcomingyouto theCollegeinpersonorcaringforyour relationshiptotheschoolanditswork
SuggestedBequest Wording
Your will is a deeply personal document that reflects your own intentions and circumstances We recommend that you speak to your solicitor about the best way to include the Marist College Canberra Foundation The wording below may assist:
“I bequeath to the Marist College Canberra Foundation (ABN 33 992 563 028 check) of Marr Street, Pearce, ACT 2607, the sum of $ (or % of my estate/residuary estate) to be used for the purposes of providing bursary support through the Brother Mark May Bursary Fund (or other nominated sub-fund), and I declare that the receipt of the Foundation Chair or authorised officer shall be sufficient discharge to my Executor ”
The Foundation will be happy to speak with you or your solicitor to ensure your intentions can be honoured.
While the College’s bequest program is primarily focused on supporting bursaries for students in need, we understand that some benefactors may feel a special connection to the buildings and facilities that shape student life If you are interested in directing your gift to support capital works such as the development of learning spaces, sporting facilities, or other infrastructure, we would be pleased to speak with you about how your legacy can help strengthen the College’s physical foundations for generations to come
A Quiet Gift. A Lasting Impact.
Thank you for considering a gift to the Marist College Canberra Foundation. Your bequest will change lives and leave a lasting legacy.
It will help form fine young men who are ready to lead with integrity, act with empathy, and contribute with confidence Men with strong minds and gentle hearts, just like those that Marist College Canberra has been forming for more than 50 years.
It is a gift that truly continues giving, far beyond the College gates as they take these qualities into a world that needs them
To confidentially discuss your intentions or request further information, please contact:
Marist College Canberra Foundation
Marr Street, Pearce ACT 2607
Phone: 02 6298 7200
Email: foundation@mcc act edu au Website: https://maristcfoundation.org.au/
Or
Marist College Canberra
Christina Gilmour, Director of Advancement
Phone: 02 6298 7218
Mobile: 0423 783 848
Email: christinagilmour@mcc act edu au
