On Friday 15 May, we were privileged to welcome Paulie Stewart, Sister Anastasia and Sister Ely from Timor-Leste to the College for a moving session with our Year 8 students. Through storytelling, music and personal witness, the morning became a powerful encounter with compassion, faith and the Gospel brought to life.
Paulie, best known as the lead singer of the Australian band Painters and Dockers, shared parts of his life journey with honesty, humour and warmth. His connection to Timor-Leste comes through the tragic loss of his brother, Tony Stewart, one of the Balibo Five journalists killed during the 1975 invasion of East Timor. Since then, Paulie has dedicated much of his life to supporting and advocating for the people of Timor-Leste through music, storytelling and humanitarian work.
Alongside Paulie, Sister Anastasia and Sister Ely shared stories of their ministry caring for children with disabilities, abandoned children and families experiencing poverty across Timor-Leste. Despite having very limited resources, they spoke with deep love and hope, seeing every child in their care as a gift from God.
Our Year 8 students responded beautifully throughout the session, asking thoughtful questions, joining in song, and engaging with genuine respect and openness. The presence of Fr Michael Kalka, his sister Louise, a past student of the College, and Fr Deonildo de Andrade from Timor-Leste added further connection and meaning to the experience.
Importantly, opportunities such as this are invaluable for our junior students. Year 8 can be a challenging and formative time, and hearing first-hand stories of resilience, gratitude and service helps broaden perspectives beyond themselves. It encourages empathy, reflection and a deeper awareness of the dignity of every person.
The morning reminded us how fortunate we are to live in a country like Australia and challenged us to consider how we might support those most vulnerable in our world. It was a simple but powerful reminder that even small acts of generosity, compassion and service can make a real difference.
We are incredibly grateful to Paulie, Sister Anastasia and Sister Ely for sharing their stories and mission with our community. We continue to keep them in our prayers and hope our paths may cross again in the future.
Mrs Anne Severi - Director of Catholic Identity
Students and staff at MSJ proudly supported the 2026 Do It For Dolly Day campaign by wearing blue ribbons, temporary butterfly tattoos and sharing kindness stickers throughout the school community. A friendly “Capture the Flag” match between students and staff, along with a raffle fundraiser, helped raise an impressive $253 for the cause.
Now in its eighth year, Do It For Dolly Day continues to shine a light on the devastating impact of bullying and cyberbullying. The national awareness day honours the memory of Dolly Everett, who was just 14 years old when ongoing bullying tragically led to her death in 2018. Since then, the campaign has encouraged communities across Australia to choose kindness, speak up against bullying and support young people experiencing online or face-to-face harassment.
By taking part in the day, MSJ students demonstrated the importance of empathy, inclusion and standing together to create a safe and supportive environment for everyone.
For more information about Do It For Dolly Day, support services and ways to get involved, visit Do It For Dolly Day.
On Tuesday the 5th of May, we were given the privilege of attending the 94th Annual ANZAC Commemoration Ceremony for students, alongside our peers. This was a meaningful experience for hundreds of students from all across Victoria, to come together and reflect on the sacrifices which had been made by Australian servicemen and women.
The event began with a Welcome to Country which encouraged unity, and was followed by Mac Robertson’s Girl’s College’s rendition of ‘I Am Australian’. There were several guest speakers, such as Lieutenant-Governor Professor James and other fellow high school students. What followed was a solemn moment where each school was able to lay a wreath by the Eternal Flame, showing how the ceremony aims to actively involve the future generation.
While the ceremony heavily focused on honouring the sacrifices made in the past, it also encouraged looking toward the future, and educating the young generation about what the ANZAC spirit truly is. With every speaker, we started to better understand that the ANZAC spirit wasn’t just present during the World Wars or whenever Australian and New Zealand servicemen and women were involved in a conflict, but that it lives on today and can be carried on by the younger generations.
Through this annual event, students are able to commemorate Australia’s past, and continue embodying the ANZAC spirit. The involvement of youth provided us with a moment of unity, something that we need now more than ever.
Overall, it was a privilege to have attended the ceremony, and we encourage you all to experience it next year!
Deandra C & Chiara F - Year 11
This year, MSJ has made a commitment to the Laudato Si’ Action Platform, joining Catholic communities around the world in a shared journey toward greater sustainability. Inspired by Laudato Si' and the principles of Catholic Social Teaching, the initiative encourages communities to take meaningful action in caring for our common home.
As a Catholic community inspired by the Josephite charism, we are called to be faithful stewards of God’s creation. Grounded in the wisdom of Scripture and the invitation of Laudato Si’, we recognise our shared responsibility to care for our common home.
Inspired by the legacy of Fr Julian Tenison Woods, co-founder of the Sisters of Saint Joseph of the Sacred Heart, who saw God revealed in the beauty and wonder of the natural world, we seek to live in harmony with all creation. We are committed to responding to the cry of the Earth through thoughtful action, education, and advocacy.
At Mount St Joseph Girls’ College, this begins with us, through the way we care for our environment, our classrooms, and one another. Together, we strive to create a culture of sustainability, respect, and responsibility, leaving the Earth better than we found it.
Courtnee Doering - Social Justice Leader
