Awards recognise unsung heroes
04 August 2021
The Queensland Catholic Education Commission has produced a podcast series featuring interviews with this year’s Spirit of Catholic Education (SOCE) Awards recipients.
The SOCE awards are presented to members of Catholic school communities who have made an outstanding contribution within their role.
The six recipients represent the breadth of teachers, school staff, school leaders and volunteers who contribute so much to Catholic school communities.
This year’s recipients come from all over Queensland. Learn more about each recipient below or listen to the podcast series here.
Eric Ellis is a groundskeeper at the Ngutana-Lui Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Studies Centre in the Brisbane suburb of Inala but his contribution goes much further as he shares his cultural knowledge with students and staff alike.
Ann Blakeney is a Prep Teacher and Leader of Engagement at St Gerard Majella Primary School, Woree, in the southern corridor of Cairns who went to great lengths to keep Prep students connected with school during COVID disruptions.
Karl McKenzie is the Chair of the Indigenous Education Advisory Committee at Ryan Catholic College in the Townsville suburb of Kirwan and supports the spirituality of students from Catholic and Indigenous perspectives.
Natalie McCosker is Assistant Principal Religious Education at St Patrick’s Catholic Primary School, Emerald. She is an outstanding school leader who fosters strong relationships in the school community.
Katie Mills is a Volunteer at Mater Dei Primary School, Toowoomba, where she coordinates a program to provide meals for families experiencing times of sadness, grief, hardship, or difficulty.
Fr John Boyd-Boland ofm is the much-loved College Chaplain at Padua College in the Brisbane suburb of Kedron where he ministers to staff and students.
The Aunty Joan Hendriks Reconciliation Award for a person making an outstanding contribution to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education has been awarded to Eric Ellis.