Our annual Mercy Empowerment Dinner in McAuley Hall on Thursday 27 February was once again a resounding success, with attendees being treated to a wonderful evening which truly exemplified our College theme of Be the Light that Inspires Hope.

A highlight of the night was the presentation by Gemma Sisia, whose thoughtful and inspiring words resonated deeply with the audience. Gemma is a founder of St Jude’s, a pioneering leader in charitable education, providing nearly 2000 Tanzanian children with free, quality education that supports the sustainable development and empowerment of young people to lead full and meaningful lives. Gemma’s experiences and perspectives gave those present a welcome insight into the remarkable work she undertakes.

Live musical performances provided a perfect backdrop to the event. Guests were treated to the shared experiences from our 2024 student immersion participants, which truly showcased the passion and dedication of the younger generation to creating positive change. Their thoughtful contributions demonstrated SHC’s commitment to nurturing socially responsible leaders, and we look forward to seeing them grow in this space over their time here at SHC.

This event acts as our annual fundraising opportunity, whereby all proceeds contribute towards initiatives that address environmental protection, First Nations rights, and access to educational support for young people in Timor. The silent auction and raffle were both warmly received, with generous contributions from attendees further boosting the fundraising efforts.

Thank you to all those who made the evening such a wonderful success!