Just over 200 people stopped by the Diocese on Sunday to recognise a group of women who are making a difference in their community.

After a rigorous nomination and selection process, it was time to announce the winner of the 2024 Mary Magdalene Award.

The ceremony recognised 38 passionate and worthy nominees, but only one could win.

Bernadette Newton from the Myall Coast Parish took out the honour… much to her surprise.

Attendees at the event could see the joy and shock on her face as Bishop Michael Kennedy congratulated her.

“I am still getting over the shock and the stun of it because there were just so many wonderful people there,” she said.

“They all do such important work in our Diocese, and I honestly thought there were more worthy people than myself.

“I am very humbled and shocked that I was chosen.”

Bernadette was selected as the award winner because of her dedication to her Parish. She’s been a part of the Myall Coast Parish and St Brigid’s Church in Bulahdelah all her life.

During that time, the 57-year-old has played a vital role in supporting the parish to thrive. Find out more about her and why she won in the next edition of Aurora (due out in September).

Following a slight hiatus during the COVID-19 pandemic, the reinstatement of the Magdalene Awards Presentation was a buzz of smiles, laughter and reflection.

Event organisers said it was great to see our parishes come together and celebrate not only the women in our Diocese, but one another.

Check out a gallery from the event by clicking here. 

Council for Women Chair, Helene O'Neill who had the honour of MCing the event shared how well the event was received by the Diocesan community.

“We were bursting at the seams! The team were not sure what to expect with the relaunch but to have such a high volume of worthy nominees this year shows the significance of the voluntary contributions women make in our Parishes every day. We thought 70 people might attend, but to have over 200 was truly remarkable”.

Established in 2015, the Magdalene Award aims to celebrate and honour local women who demonstrate exceptional leadership within our Diocese and embody the spirit of Mary Magdalene. 

As the Apostle to the Apostles, Mary Magdalene was a prominent leader in the early Church; a woman who remained fearless and faithful to Jesus during his earthly ministry. She remains a symbol of courage, strength, resilience, empowerment, and leadership, and inspires us to recognise and uplift the remarkable women among us.

Congratulations to Bernadette and all the other nominees!

2024 Nominees:

St Brigid's Parish, Raymond Terrace - Vinette Shrimpton

Holy Trinity Blackbutt North - Ann Morris

All Saints Blackbutt South – Anne Lamottee

Holy Trinity Blackbutt North- Barbara Strang

Myall Coast Parish- Bernadette Newton

Holy Cross Glendale- Bernadette Royan

East Maitland Parish- Beverley Bailey

Wallsend-Shortland Parish- Catherine Low

Taree/Wingham Parish - Catherine Richmond

Toronto Parish - Deborah Gwynne

All Saints Blackbutt South - Faye Robertson

St. Stephen's Myall Coast Parish – Francis Betar

East Lake Macquarie Parish- Helen Andrews

St. Stephen's Myall Coast Parish – Jan Peeters

Holy Cross Glendale -  Jeanette McGinniskin

Our Lady of the Rosary, Taree Parish - Joan Irene Gibbs

MacKillop Parish - Jo-Anne Franks

Holy Trinity Blackbutt North- Joy Loas

Wallsend-Shortland Parish - Joy Cork

Wallsend-Shortland Parish – Kathleen White

Mum's Cottage Volunteer – Lavina Stobbart

Mum's Cottage Volunteer - Lyn Hughes

St John the Baptist,Maitland- Lynette Huckstadt

Holy Trinity Blackbutt North - Margaret Metcalfe

Holy Trinity Blackbutt North - Margaret Ann Wheeler

Tighes Hill Parish – Margarett Crockett

St. Stephen's Myall Coast Parish – Mary Leafe

East Lake Macquarie Parish – Mary Ryan

Stockton Parish – Maureen Frize

Taree Parish- Monica McMullen

Holy Trinity Blackbutt North - Naomi Dorothy Smith

Holy Trinity Blackbutt North - Narelle Heard

St Patrick's Singleton- Niamh Marzol

Sugarloaf Parish- Patricia Spradbrow

Sugarloaf Parish -Rosemary Ansell

Nelson Bay Parish (St Michael's)- Sr Catherine Norman

Wallsend-Shortland Parish - Suzanne Proudlock

Mackillop Parish - Yvonne Rego