MARIST COLLEGE CANBERRA FOUNDATION
IMPACT OF GIVING
REPORT TO DONORS 2024
The Al-Azraqi family Impact snapshot
Why I give - the Moore family
The gift of a Marist education
Why I Give - Jack Harris
The Bennet* family Board member profile - Liesl O’Meara
Since 1968 Marist College Canberra has been part of and had its footprints on the land of the Ngunnawal and Ngambri peoples As a College we acknowledge the traditional owners and custodians of the land on which we stand. We pay our respects to them and for their care of the land We acknowledge the continued deep spiritual attachment and relationship they have to this land and commit ourselves to the ongoing journey of Reconciliation. May we walk gently and respectfully upon the land
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples should be aware that this publication may contain the images, words and/or names of people who have passed away
We are, as Marists, an inclusive and welcoming community We acknowledge that all are created in the image of our loving God and called to live our lives glorifying the Lord. People of all faiths, genders, sexualities, and cultures are therefore welcome and respected equally in the Marist Catholic community
Artwork: Peter O’Callaghan, titled ‘Pathways to Community’.
FROM THE CHAIR
As we present our second annual report to donors, Impact of Giving, I pause to reflect on another year of incredible generosity from our community here at Marist College Canberra.
Thanks to you, the Marist College Canberra Foundation continues to go from strength to strength. In 2024, we experienced significant growth in donations, in donor numbers and most importantly, in impact
In this report, we reflect on the profound impact your contributions have made over the past year, enabling so many young boys and their families to access the life changing gift of an education at Marist College Canberra
We also celebrate the joy of giving – our growing philanthropic program, and the many, many families, Old Boys, staff, former families and those in the wider Canberra community who choose to direct their support to the Br Mark May Bursary Fund
Whether you are a long time supporter or new to our donor community, I would like to express my heartfelt thanks Your belief in our vision empowers us to strive for a school where financial barriers do not limit educational opportunities, and where we can help transform the lives of young people who most need our support
Thank you for being an integral part of our school community and for making a lasting difference in the lives of our students
Cade Brown Chair, Marist College Canberra Foundation
“In this report, we reflect on the profound impact your contributions have made. We we also celebrate the joy of giving.”
FROM THE HEADMASTER
DIRECTOR OF ADVANCEMENT
It is with heartfelt gratitude that we present our 2024 donor report Impact of Giving This report highlights the great impact of your generosity on the lives of young men and their families. Your support of our bursary program extends far beyond financial assistance; it is a gift of hope and opportunity for young men who may have never imagined a Marist education within their reach.
“Where there is a need, there is love owing” – this sentiment captures the essence of our shared mission. Your contributions are a testament to the belief that every child deserves access to quality education, regardless of their circumstances You have enabled us to welcome young men into our community, transforming lives and opening doors to new beginnings
The impact of our bursary program is not onedirectional. Our bursary recipients bring with them a richness that enhances our entire school community They challenge us to see the world through different lenses, broadening our understanding of compassion, justice, and inclusivity. In this way, our school is continually shaped and strengthened by the diverse experiences and perspectives these young men contribute
Thank you for helping to ensure that a Marist education remains accessible to all who seek it We are truly grateful
Matthew Hutchison Headmaster, Marist College Canberra
We hope you enjoy reading about the transformative impact of your giving, in our second annual report to donors, Impact of Giving
I am continually heartened and humbled by the generosity of our Marist College Canberra community as we see support for the Marist College Canberra Foundation continue to grow, enabling the College to plan for a future where we can extend a Marist education to so many more boys and their families who never would have dreamt it possible
“Our bursary program…gives young people and their families an opportunity for a brighter future.”
The stories in this report celebrate both the beneficiaries of your giving – our bursary families and students; and you – our treasured Foundation donors It celebrates the shared sense of purpose and connection that we are building through our philanthropic program, and inspires us to continue strengthening our community in this way.
Above all, our bursary program is an expression of hope It gives young people and their families an opportunity for a brighter future.
Thank you for the important role you play, in offering that brighter future
Sarah Gavel Director of Advancement, Marist College Canberra
THE AL-AZRAQI FAMILY
Hussein (Year 10) and Abbas (Year 8) Al-Azraqi are brothers currently supported to attend Marist College, thanks to bursaries funded by the Marist College Canberra Foundation
After the political and security situation in Iraq became life threatening for the Al-Azraqi family, dad Sameer, mum Inas and their four children were granted asylum in Australia in 2021. While Sameer is a qualified orthopedic surgeon in Iraq, in Australia his qualifications are not recognised, making it difficult to find work in his field Eventually, Sameer was able to secure a job as a tutor at The Australian National University Inas, a University-qualified teacher, was also not able to find work in her profession, however has re-trained in Australia and is now working as a casual Learning Support Assistant at a number of schools in Canberra
Seeking the best educational opportunities for their children, Sameer and Inas were so grateful for the opportunity to apply for a bursary for Hussein to commence at Marist in Year 8 in 2022 “We wanted our children to have a bright future and knew that Marist College would offer this We believe that to achieve this future our sons need to experience certain disciplines like wearing a uniform with pride, completing assignments and homework…that kind of accountability,” says Sameer.
The family learned about the Br Mark May Bursary through Canberra Refugee Support (CRS) and with the help of CRS volunteers Brian Calder (past parent) and Matt Calder (Old Boy 1997 and Patrick House Dean) both Hussein, who is now in Year 10, and his brother Abbas, who commenced at the College in 2024 in Year 8, have been supported to attend Marist on bursaries funded by generous donors to the Marist College Canberra Foundation
The move was challenging at first, particularly for Hussein, who had to adapt to a new environment and leave his friends at his previous school The family says the strong pastoral care system, and particularly the support of teacher and House Dean Matt Calder helped. “His great support decreased a lot of the stress my sons faced during the first few days of attending Marist He is always of great help whenever we need it,” says Sameer
Hussein soon began to enjoy school at Marist and has now made many new friends. Abbas loves to wear his Marist uniform and is particularly fond of the many soccer fields the College offers! Sameer and Inas have seen the positive impact a Marist education has had on their sons “Abbas never used to ask for help with his school assignments. Now he does, and he also studies far more than he did before. Because of this, his school results have improved a lot Hussein takes his schoolwork seriously and also helps Abbas ”
Sameer says that the bursary has had a huge impact on their family, who are now all Australian citizens “Without the bursary, we can’t afford this education for our sons It impacts the whole family – Hussein and Abbas’ younger brother is looking forward to joining them because he sees how much they love it, how they wear their uniforms with pride, and he listens to their chats about the facilities, learning, and the sport”.
“Thank you so much to everyone who donated to the Br Mark May Bursary Without their generous donations my sons would never have this opportunity to attend such a great school.”
Impact snapshot
YOUR GENEROSITY IN NUMBERS
Funds raised 2022 - 2024 $806,543
245
Number of gifts 2022 - 2024 (excluding Walkathon donations, which are split between a number of different causes)
70
Number of first-time donors 2022 - 2024
*TheRondaandArthurSpecialEducationBursary(RABSEB)isa specificbursaryprovidedtoafamilyexperiencingfinancialdistress, whosesonwouldrequiresignificantongoingsupportthroughouthis enrolmentfromtheInclusiveEducationDepartment.
WHY I GIVE
The Moore family
David Moore (Old Boy 1997) and his wife Tanya Sklepic began supporting the Marist College Canberra Foundation to give opportunities to others and contribute to their local community –the family lives in Pearce and are parishioners at Mary Help of Christians Parish
Their deep connection to the College and to Marist education is what guided them towards the Br Mark May Bursary Fund David and Tanya’s twin sons Alex and Oscar are current students in Year 8 Their youngest son Rhys is due to commence at the College in Year 4 in 2025.
David and Tanya say their own experiences and the values instilled in them from a young age have helped shape their desire to start giving back as soon as they were able.
“We both grew up in households where Catholic values were central to our everyday lives” says David “My mum was a Catholic school teacher and Dad went to a Marist school himself.”
Tanya says her parents, who came to Australia as refugees and immigrants from Croatia, always instilled in her the importance of advancement through education and service to others.
“Our parents’ focus on education has given us wonderful career and life opportunities,” says Tanya “We know the importance of a strong and well-rounded education – not just academics, but also faith, sport, music, drama – and know it can make a big difference from someone prepared to run at those opportunities ”
Like many current families who support the Marist College Canberra Foundation, by becoming donors to the Br Mark May Bursary Fund the Moore family hoped to give other children the same opportunities their own children are enjoying at the College “We really wanted to help other families to experience the schoolits fantastic leadership, community, staff and also incredible facilities” says David
David and Tanya believe in the transformative impact of the bursary program, not just for the students who receive support, but for their families and the entire school community “The bursary program adds to the diversity and community of the school and also reflects the spiritual calling of the school to help the vulnerable” they say. “We hope to see it continue to grow and support even more children through a Marist, Catholic education in the future ”
“While we are still working on achieving all that we can ourselves, it is equally important to us to focus on providing opportunities to others as soon as possible ”
THE GIFT OF A MARIST EDUCATION
A bursary recipient’s perspective - Deng Deng (Year 11)
In 2021 Deng Deng joined the Marist College Canberra community as a student in Year 8 Deng was born in the Kakuma Refugee Camp in northern Kenya and spent the first nine years of his life living there with his parents and siblings, attending five different schools in that time.
When the family arrived in Australia as refugees in 2017, Deng attended a local primary school and then high school for a year, before Brian Calder from Canberra Refugee Support (CRS) and his son Matt (Old Boy, 1997) offered to help the family apply for a bursary through the Br Mark May Bursary Fund
Deng says coming to Marist was a really big change.
“I had no idea what it would be like but the teaching quality and the facilities were pretty different,” he says. “The teaching was a lot different, there was more work but also a lot more opportunities ” The first couple of days at the College were a strange experience for Deng, particularly the change from co-ed to all boys, but he quickly got used to it On his first day Deng was paired with another student in class and the two soon made fast friends, with Deng quickly expanding his friendship group “It wasn’t too difficult to make friends,” he says “It’s a welcoming and kind environment at Marist ”
Soccer is one of Deng’s biggest passions He has played soccer since he was a small child, and has represented Marist every year since joining the College, receiving a number of awards at end of season presentation nights In fact, for a while when Deng thought about his future, his hope was to become a professional soccer player. But now, after almost four years at Marist College Canberra Deng has pivoted to a slightly different future career path “I plan to go to university,” he says. “I’d really like to study engineering – I enjoy subjects that involve things like programming and networking ”
Deng believes that the College helps young boys to become good people in the future
“There’s that saying ‘Together, we create fine young men’ I think that being Marist means being a good person and always helping out when you can, and that the College helps us to build our morals, so we can be good people in the future ”
When asked what he would say to those who have supported the Marist College Canberra Foundation and the Br Mark May Bursary Fund, Deng says “It’s mostly just a big thanks It really is a good opportunity for people who wouldn’t have the chance to experience this it’s a great help for those people, and let’s them join a really good community I’d encourage people to keep supporting it if you can. It’s been a really good, enjoyable time for me, being here ”
WHY I GIVE
Jack Harris (Old Boy 2001)
Jack Harris is an Old Boy (2001) and the Construction Manager at Shaw Building Group. Both Jack and Shaw Building Group have longstanding connections with the College, and recently began supporting the Marist College Canberra Foundation’s Br Mark May Bursary Fund.
Jack’s Marist journey began before he was even enrolled at Marist College Canberra “My father John attended a Marist school in Broken Hill, so it was a must that I attend Marist College Canberra –even though we lived on the other side of town!” Jack commenced at Marist when he was in Year 5, and while at school Jack’s father was involved in the life of the College, as a member of the College Advisory Council and a coach of the ski team when Jack was a Senior
A couple of years after graduating from Marist College Canberra, Jack joined Canberra-based construction and project management company Shaw Building Group. One of Jack’s first opportunities to meaningfully connect with the College after graduation was through his involvement in the construction process of Marcellin Hall, for which Shaw Building Group won the tender
“I, along with my colleagues at Shaw Building Group, were lucky enough to be a part of the construction process for Marcellin Hall There are so many Old Boys who have, and are still currently working with Shaw Building Group It was pretty special to go back at work on a project at Marist, knowing we were building something that would serve the next generation of students ”
Committed to giving back to the College and remaining connected to his fellow Old Boys, Jack is currently the secretary of the Marist College Canberra Old Boys Association (MCCOBA) “The Old Boys Association has really gained some momentum over the past couple of years, and part of what we do through MCCOBA is provide a bursary for a student to attend the College, who would not otherwise have the opportunity.”
Jack says it was his involvement through the Old Boys Association that inspired him, through his role at Shaw Building Group, to develop a deeper connection to the bursary program ‘The current members of MCCOBA are a huge part of that inspiration – we want to be part of helping make a difference in this way ”
Jack says he now has a greater appreciation for the opportunities his experience at Marist College Canberra provided “I have very fond memories of attending the College if I hadn’t gone to Marist, my life would be very different to what it is today I think when I was a student, I somewhat took it for granted. Now looking back, I realise some of the sacrifices others made for me, so that I can be in the position in life I’m in now ” This, he says, is what has driven his desire to support the bursary program “…to be able to give a boy the same opportunity I had, who would not otherwise have the opportunity of an education at Marist College is a great thing. Hopefully, we can help to change a life.”
Jack Harris (far right) and the Old Boys Committee 2024.
THE BENNET FAMILY*
*Due to privacy, names and identifyng details in this story have been changed.
In 2024, the eldest son of the Bennet family joined the Marist College Canberra community, thanks to support from the Ronda and Arthur Boyd Special Education Bursary and the Br Mark May Bursary Fund
Grace is the stay-home carer for the family’s four children, three of whom have significant additional needs including ADHD, autism, and anxiety The Ronda and Arthur Boyd Special Education Bursary was established to support families just like the Bennets – those facing significant financial stress and where their son would require additional support throughout his enrolment at Marist College Canberra.
“We’ve had a very challenging time,” says Grace “Everyday life can be hard. We had a tough time getting the right diagnosis, problems with schooling it’s taken a huge toll on our family, emotionally and financially, as well as on my health.”
Knowing that eldest son Liam would likely struggle in the other high school environments they’d explored, and knowing the family was not in a financial position to enrol Liam directly, Grace was incredibly relieved when the family were offered a place at Marist, supported by the Foundation and Br Mark May Bursary Program’s Ronda and Arthur Boyd Special Education Bursary. “It felt like a total blessing,” says Grace “I couldn’t believe it There was no way we could send Liam to Marist without this support.”
Liam has responded so well to the support and structure the College provides, and is thriving in his new environment.
Grace has noticed huge differences in her son, noting that while Liam needs support with his homework and help managing his timetable, he has also stepped up and taken charge of managing his time in a way that was unimaginable before
“It has changed everything,” says Grace, when reflecting on the impact of Liam joining Marist “It has totally changed the direction of his life One of the things I’ve really noticed is that he is starting to reflect the behaviour he sees in the other boys – the politeness, how they speak, their presentation, the respect they demonstrate to each other and the staff in every possible way this has had a massive impact on our lives ”
The family is committed to participating as much as possible in the life of the College, with Grace volunteering for Walkathon, attending parent information nights, and working to maintain close connections with Liam’s teachers, House Dean, and House Group Leader. Liam was involved in the Mountain Biking Club this year, and although it was his first ever time away from home, he threw himself into the Year 7 Camp experience, which helped grow his confidence
Liam arrived at Marist knowing only one other student in Year 7. “Now,” says Grace, “he’s so settled He catches the bus, he’s got some good friends, he plays at lunchtime, and he knows where to go for help…the opportunity to attend Marist has changed his whole life and none of this would be possible without the bursary.” Grace says the family do not take anything for granted and try to instill in their children how blessed and lucky they are to have this opportunity for Liam.
“‘Thank you’ doesn’t give justice to it It is life-changing and has given him endless possibilities and opportunities. Every day I count it as a total blessing, and never take it for granted that we have this ”
It’s just beautiful that Liam can be part of this community, and knowing how the bursary began makes it even more special. We’re very lucky.”
FOUNDATION BOARD MEMBER IN PROFILE
Liesl O’Meara joined the Marist College Canberra Foundation Board in early 2017 and was appointed Deputy Chair in 2023. During her tenure, Liesl has helped steward significant growth for the Foundation, enabling so many young boys and their families to experience the gift of a Marist education
Here, Liesl shares some of her own family’s Marist connections, her experience as a board member for the Marist College Canberra Foundation, and her thoughts on philanthropy and the important role of financial support for those who need it most.
What is your connection to Marist College Canberra and the Marist College Canberra Foundation?
While I’ve had a brother, cousins, and nephews attend Marist over two generations, my most immediate and direct connection is as a parent of two boys who attended the College – one from year 4 to 12 and one from year 7 to 12 I’ve been a board member of the Marist College Canberra Foundation since 2017.
What inspired you to join the Marist College Canberra Foundation as a board member?
A work colleague and friend who was an inaugural Foundation board member put my name forward I didn’t know a whole lot about the Foundation at the time, but it was his passion and belief in the Foundation that convinced me it was a worthwhile commitment Since becoming a board member and forming my own personal deeper understanding of the Foundation, I now truly understand the importance of its work and the impact it can have, and have never once questioned my decision
Why do you believe the Br Mark May Bursary Program is important?
It provides bursary recipients and their families the gift of a Marist education – and that value of that gift is immeasurable and potentially life changing.
Our bursary program brings a richness to the school through the opportunity it provides to welcome into the community, and to learn from, boys who come to us from other backgrounds and cultures, creating a more truly diverse community from which we all benefit and grow
How have your own experiences shaped your desire to give back?
I personally feel extremely privileged and lucky to have been in a position to select Marist as the school for my two boys, without worrying about whether we could afford it as a family I’ve seen first hand through my sons the hugely positive and enduring impact Marist has had, making them the kind, caring, and community-minded young men they are today In my own small way, through my work as a Foundation board member, I want to provide that same opportunity to other families and their sons, and not allow money to be the barrier to a Marist education
What impact do you hope for in the Foundation’s future?
From when I first joined the board to now, the Foundation has reached a number of key milestones in terms of number of bursaries awarded, our capital base from which we can derive income to support the program, the number of donors supporting the foundation – giving it a solid base and strong, sustainable future. Building on this work, a very achievable goal in the not too distant future is to have at least a couple of bursary recipients in each year group, making the Foundation a core part of the fabric of our Marist College Canberra community. Through the continued generosity of our donors, we can then continue to grow and ensure the Foundation exists for generations to come, making an impact on many lives well into the future!
Liesl O’Meara
CELEBRATING COMMUNITY
The two cornerstone events for the Marist College Canberra Foundation through the year are the Blue and Blue Dinner and the Mothers and Grandmothers Afternoon Tea In 2024 these events again offered an opportunity to share the stories and impact of the Br Mark May Bursary Program, and to offer those attending an opportunity to support the Foundation As always, the generosity of our community was evident with a terrific response in the call out for donations to support the Bursary Fund However, the ultimate aim of these events is to provide an opportunity to bring our community together
2024 Blue and Blue Dinner: A Winter Ball
On Friday 17 May almost 400 members of our College community came together in their black tie best for our Winter Ball themed 2024 Blue and Blue Dinner The National Arboretum was transformed into a winter wonderland, with fir trees, a sleigh, and sparkling white tables greeting guests who arrived in their luxurious furs, shimmering gowns and sleek tuxedos – with a snowman costume or two thrown in Fantastic entertainment was provided by the Baker Boys, and there was much laughter and connection along with good food, fun, and dancing
Mothers and Grandmother’s Afternoon Tea
It was wonderful to see so many members of our community come together to honour the significant roles women play in our community at our 2024 Mothers and Grandmothers Afternoon Tea held on Thursday 12 September at the College Special guest speaker Genevieve Jacobs AM offered an insightful and entertaining address, speaking about her experiences in our local community, and the importance of giving back. The event was made particularly special by the collective efforts of our students, particularly student ushers, musicians, and the Senior Hospitality students, whose outstanding culinary talents and service once again made the afternoon unforgettable for guests
THE MARIST COLLEGE CANBERRA FOUNDATION
Stewarding your philanthropy
The Marist College Canberra Foundation forms the governance framework for all gifts made in support of the Marist College Canberra Bursary Program (the Br Mark May Bursary Fund) The Foundation is a Company limited by guarantee as trustee for the Br Mark May Bursary Fund (a deductible gift recipient (DGR) trust) and ensures the highest standards are maintained in relation to fundraising activities and the financial stewardship of your donations. The Board of Directors of the Marist College Canberra Foundation is the key oversight body for the Br Mark May Bursary Fund, ensuring all monies are disbursed and activities supported in line with donor wishes for the life of each gift Further details about the Marist College Canberra Foundation can be found online at www maristcfoundation org au
THE BR MARK MAY BURSARY PROGRAM
The Br Mark May Bursary Fund was established in 2010 with the commencement of the Marist College Canberra Foundation. The fund supports the Br Mark May Bursary Program to provide financial support for families experiencing financial or social disadvantage Since the program’s inception, more than 40 students and their families have benefitted from this life changing gift of a Marist education
The Br Mark May Bursary Fund is administered by the Marist College Canberra Foundation and is supported by generous donations from Old Boys, current and past families, current and former staff, and the wider community The Program is administered by the College, with bursary recipients identified and then offered enrolment at the College coupled with support based on demonstrated financial need and other indicators of social or economic disadvantage.
The Bursary Program currently provides between 10 and 14 students each year with financial support to cover a range of educational costs including tuition fees; text books; laptops; and uniform requirements Each bursary is tailored to the individual circumstances and requirements of each family
THANKING OUR COMMUNITY OF DONORS
The second Marist College Canberra Foundation Appreciation Night was held at the end of 2023, as a special celebration to thank and recognise the generous community of supporters who have made donations and provided other support to the Foundation over recent years
Our special guest speaker was Nathan Seden, father of 2023 graduate and bursary recipient Timothy Seden Nathan spoke about how the opportunity to come to Marist had so positively impacted not only Tim, but their whole community in the Torres Strait Guests were privileged to witness Tim and his younger brothers perform several ceremonial dances, in acknowledgement and thanks to those who made Tim’s bursary possible It was an incredibly special evening and one which will long remain in the memories of those in attendance
The College and Foundation are so grateful to Nathan and to Tim for so generously sharing with our community, and to all those who attended this special event.
“We come from a place where there’s only 300-400 children in the high school where only 25 students graduate Timmy being here, as the eldest of five…the opportunity given to him through your giving that’s been able to give my kids something bigger to hope for in their education. Now they all get to dream bigger than they ever thought they could ” - Nathan Seden
Thank you to all our donors and volunteers.
Thank you for your continued generosity, and for helping transform the lives of so many in our community If you would like further information about the Marist College Canberra Foundation, please visit www maristcfoundation org au
Marist College Canberra Foundation 27 Marr St Pearce ACT 2607 www maristcfoundation org au
Cade Brown
Chair, Marist College Canberra Foundation foundation@mcc act edu au
Sarah Gavel
Director of Advancement sarahgavel@mcc.act.edu.au 02 6298 7208