Well over a millennium of service (1,345 years) was recognised at the 2024 St Agnes’ Catholic Parish Long Service Awards presented on Wednesday 4 September, after the celebration of Mass by Fr Paul Gooley.

In total, 74 staff members were acknowledged for reaching significant 10, 20, 25, 30, and 35-year service milestones (see full list below).

If we could line up these years of service and travel back in time, we’d land in the year 679AD, when Pope Agatho sat in the Chair of St Peter in Rome and Constantine IV was Emperor of the Byzantine Empire – a staggering thought!

Deputy CEO, Anne O’Brien, warmly welcomed everyone to the event, expressing her joy and gratitude for the years of unwavering service given by staff to our parish community.

“Each day, our staff exemplify the virtues of love, compassion, and selflessness, embodying the teachings of Christ Himself. Their service has been the backbone of our community,” Anne said.

Quoting Mark Twain in his homily, Fr Paul said, “The two most important days of our lives are … the day that we were born and the day we find out why”.

Fr Paul used John the Baptist as an example of this, saying, John put himself at the service of God; was available to do what God wanted of him; and despite many challenges won people over and was blessed to see some good results for his life of service.

“What we do is important, but why we do it is even more important. John served those around him by his preaching that pointed them towards God. His good example inspired them. What comes through clearly is how he was content with what God had given him… John served with humility… and by sharing his gifts he came to appreciate them more and more,” said Fr Paul.

“As always, generous service brings its own reward; it brings the joy that comes from sharing.”

In closing, Fr Paul said ‘As we give thanks for the service given by these members of our parish staff, we pray that all of us may have the wisdom to know that service is our deepest calling in life. May we all come to know the fulfilment and joy that service brings.”

Three long-serving staff members reflect on their time with the Parish – read their story here

See full photo gallery below

St Agnes’ Catholic Parish is blessed to have individuals, who have discovered the ‘why’ of their life’s purpose, in serving others in our local community.

Parish Staff

Shannon Ehinger	Corporate	10 Years
Julie Barker	Disability Support	10 Years
Candy Roach	Emmaus	10 Years
Sharon Van Eaton Jr	Emmaus	10 Years
Jinty Joy	Emmaus	10 Years
Jasmine Joseph	Emmaus	10 Years
Karen Kovac	Parish Administration Centre	10 Years
Lisa Vegners	St Agnes’ Residential	10 Years
Katie Murray	St Joseph’s Family Services	10 Years
Nathan Young	St Joseph’s Family Services	10 Years
Charleen Gilson	St Joseph’s Family Services	10 Years
Julie McGuire	St Joseph’s Family Services	10 Years
Andrea Mann	Emmaus	20 Years
Lisa McGinley	Emmaus	20 Years
Catherine Freeman	Presbytery	20 Years
Colleen Banks	St Agnes’ Residential	20 Years
Lee Madden	St Agnes’ Residential	20 Years
Tanya Sturrock	St Agnes’ Residential	20 Years
Helena Hope	St Joseph’s Family Services	20 Years
Danielle Wotherspoon	St Joseph’s Family Services	20 Years
Gregory Sowter	Disability Support	25 Years
Vanessa Toms	St Agnes’ Residential	25 Years
Edwina Vella	St Joseph’s Family Services	25 Years
Jayne Roberts	Corporate	30 Years
Mary Anne O’Brien	Parish Administration Centre	30 Years
Many Chandler	St Joseph’s Family Services	30 Years
Denise Smith	Parish Administration Centre	35 Years

School Staff

Kate Watson	St Agnes’ Primary	10 Years
Craig Brazel	St Agnes’ Primary	10 Years
Kate Ribot de Bressac	St Agnes’ Primary	10 Years
Briony Butt	St Joseph’s Primary	10 Years
Michelle Baird	St Peter’s Primary	10 Years
Leisa Nardella	St Peter’s Primary	10 Years
Ryan Adams	MacKillop College	10 Years
Samantha Adams	MacKillop College	10 Years
Rhys Jones	MacKillop College	10 Years
Tanya Poppleton	MacKilop College	10 Years
Linda Bishop	Newman College	10 Years
Andrew Banham	Newman College	10 Years
Darren Harmer	Newman College	10 Years
Kim Eichmann	St Joseph’s Regional College	10 Years
Norm Kobelke	St Joseph’s Regional College	10 Years
Heidi O’Rielly	St Jospeh’s Regional College	10 Years
Ginaya Yarnold	St Agnes’ Primary	10 Years (2022)
Andrew Wilson	St Agnes’ Primary	10 Years (2022)
Donna Sprague	St Agnes’ Primary	20 Years
Kirrily Pollock	St Agnes’ Primary	20 Years
Claire Thurlow	St Agnes’ Primary	20 Years
Dianne Gamack	St Joseph’s Primary	20 Years
Cathy Matheson	St Peter’s Primary	20 Years
Tracey Bewicke	MacKillop College	20 Years
Glen Littler	MacKillop College	20 Years
Suzanne Penson	MacKillop College	20 Years
Joanna Pilgrim	MacKillop College	20 Years
Jodie Rich	MacKillop College	20 Years
Nigel Russell-Cargill	MacKillop College	20 Years
Scott Schumann	MacKillop College	20 Years
Donna Hamlin	St Joseph’s Regional College	20 Years
Janine Handley	St Joseph’s Regional College	20 Years
Deborah Nicholson	St Joseph’s Regional College	20 Years
Wendy Welsh	St Joseph’s Regional College	20 Years
Joanne Williams	St Joseph’s Regional College	20 Years
Trish Todd	St Agnes’ Primary	20 Years (2023)
Michelle Lawler	St Peter’s Primary	25 Years
David Lewis	St Joseph’s Regional College	25 Years
Tracy Pares	St Joseph’s Regional College	25 Years
Brigid Loane	Newman College	25 Years (2021)
Damian Lawrence	St Joseph’s Primary	30 Years
Daniella O’Brien	St Agnes’ Primary	30 Years
David McMahon	MacKillop College	30 Years
David Gerke	St Agnes’ Primary	35 Years
Jenny Hunt	MacKillop College	35 Years
Claire Gerke	St Joseph’s Regional College	35 Years