Each year on 15 January, Saint Mary MacKillop’s Birthday, we pause to honour her life and legacy — a woman whose unwavering belief in education continues to shape lives around the world.
Mary understood something profoundly simple and deeply radical: education is not a privilege, but a right. For her, education was about far more than literacy or learning. It was about dignity, self-worth, and enabling people — especially those pushed to the margins — to determine their own futures.
Born in 1842, Mary devoted her life to the education and care of those most excluded from opportunity. Together with the Sisters of Saint Joseph, she established schools and services for children and families experiencing poverty, particularly in rural and remote communities. She believed that every child deserved to be seen, valued, and given the chance to flourish.
Today, that same belief sits at the heart of Mary MacKillop Today.
Across the communities we walk with, education remains one of the most powerful forces for long-term change. When people have access to quality education, the benefits ripple outward — improving health, strengthening families, and building resilient communities.
In Timor-Leste, we support teachers with training, resources, and child-centred learning approaches that create safe, engaging environments for young children.
In Peru, we support young leaders and youth entrepreneurship programs to build leadership, teamwork and problem-solving skills that expand opportunity and improve health and wellness.
In Fiji, we support community strengthening programs which have created cleaner streets, safer homes and stronger family bonds.
Here in Australia, our scholarships help Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people overcome financial hardship so they can continue their education and pursue their goals.
Central to all this work is partnership. Our programs are designed with communities, not for them. Local educators and leaders guide decisions, shape priorities, and lead implementation. This approach reflects our deep respect for culture, language, and local knowledge — and our commitment to dignity at every step.
Mary MacKillop also teaches us that how we tell stories matters. At Mary MacKillop Today, we share stories with consent, care, and integrity. We avoid exploiting hardship or reducing people to their circumstances. Instead, we focus on strength, partnership, and hope — because every person deserves to be represented with respect.
On Mary’s birthday, we give thanks for her courage, her faith, and her enduring belief in education as a force for good.
Education is not just about classrooms or textbooks. It is about possibility. It is the quiet, powerful belief that with opportunity and support, people can shape brighter futures for themselves and their communities.
Today, we honour Mary MacKillop — and recommit ourselves to walking alongside those turning possibility into reality.
