What began in 1956 with a simple idea, Catholic communities pooling their savings to build schools for their children, has grown into 70 years of partnership, service and shared purpose.
On Wednesday 28 October, Catholic Development Fund (CDF) marked this milestone with staff, past and present leaders, clergy, clients, partners and colleagues from Development Funds across the country. Together they reflected on seven decades of helping Catholic communities build, serve and grow.
The evening began with a Thanksgiving Mass at St Patrick's Cathedral East Melbourne, celebrated by Archbishop Peter A Comensoli on the Feast of Saints Simon and Jude. A celebration followed, with the chance to honour the relationships that have shaped CDF's journey, commemorate the difference made across generations and look ahead to the communities CDF will continue to support.
Pictured: CDF 70th Anniversary Thanksgiving Mass at St Patrick's Cathedral, East Melbourne.
From humble beginnings to a lasting legacy
CDF's story began in 1956, when Fr James Wall established the Schools Provident Fund (SPF) in response to growing demand for Catholic education in post-war Melbourne. Funding for new schools was hard to secure, and Fr Wall saw the power of communities working together. By pooling their savings, Catholic families and parishes, beginning with families in Preston, could help provide classrooms for children in rapidly developing suburbs.
The idea was simple but powerful: the resources of one community could help another community grow.
The response was remarkable. In that first year, parishioners invested more than £2 million, enabling £1.5 million in lending for school projects. The average male wage at the time was around £350, and the Fund was born before the dollar arrived.
Reflecting on these beginnings in his homily, Archbishop Comensoli described an invitation that expressed something deeply Christian:
"We belong to one another, and together we make room for others. The savings of one household could help another family's children receive an education. The resources of an established community could help a growing community find its feet."
He also reflected on the responsibility of carrying this legacy forward.
"We ask for the grace to be good stewards of what has been entrusted to us… And we pray that Christ, our cornerstone, will keep drawing us together and sending us outward: to build communities where people belong, where hope takes root, and where his love becomes known."
Over the decades, the Fund has evolved to meet the changing needs of the Catholic community. In 1996, on its 40th anniversary, it was renamed 'Catholic Development Fund' to reflect its expanding role beyond schools, supporting parishes, healthcare, aged care, social services and community infrastructure. Its reach has grown beyond Melbourne too, with the Dioceses of Sale, Bunbury and Ballarat each joining the Fund. Today CDF operates across all four dioceses, helping turn local vision and mission into projects that make a meaningful difference to people's lives.
Pictured: Archbishop Peter A Comensoli and CDF staff member, Nico Sian, lighting the Anniversary Candle.
"We belong to one another, and together we make room for others. The savings of one household could help another family's children receive an education. The resources of an established community could help a growing community find its feet."
Archbishop Peter A Comensoli
Homily,
CDF 70th Anniversary
Celebrating the people behind 70 years of service
The celebration brought together generations of people who have shaped CDF's journey, from former Board members, leaders and staff to the clients and partners whose trust continues to shape its future.
Speaking at the reception, CDF CEO John McClusky reflected on the enduring importance of the people behind the Fund.
"CDF is certainly not a building, nor a balance sheet. It is people."
John acknowledged the families who first entrusted their savings to the Fund, the relationship managers who have supported organisations through challenges and opportunities, and the many Catholic leaders and communities who have partnered with CDF over seven decades. He paid particular tribute to CDF's clients and partners:
"You are not simply the people we serve. You are the reason we exist."
He also thanked CDF's partner Bishops, Bishop Greg Bennet of Sale, Bishop Mark Freeman of Ballarat and Bishop George Kolodziej of Bunbury, for their leadership and the strong partnerships built across their dioceses.
Together, these relationships have enabled CDF to grow from a school funding initiative into a trusted financial partner for Catholic organisations. Their impact is visible in the places where people learn, live, connect and receive care, from contemporary classrooms and healthcare facilities to aged care communities, social housing and parish centres.
Pictured: CDF 70th Anniversary Thanksgiving Mass at St Patrick's Cathedral, East Melbourne.
Honouring the past, looking to the future
The anniversary was an occasion to celebrate CDF's achievements, and also a reminder of the responsibility that comes with 70 years of trust.
CDF Deputy Chair Damian Murphy acknowledged the careful stewardship of the people who have guided the organisation through changing times, noting that a "prudentially sound, mission-driven Fund" does not happen by accident.
"It happens because, decade after decade, the people and clergy entrusted with the governance of this organisation have remained committed, quietly, carefully, and with a deep sense of responsibility to the communities CDF exists to serve."
As Catholic organisations navigate rising costs, growing demand for services and changing community needs, CDF's role is as relevant today as it was in 1956. Archbishop Comensoli captured that purpose in his reflection on the Fund's future:
"The horizon of CDF's work is helping communities grow in their capacity to share the life of Christ they have received."
The vision established by Fr Wall lives on, in the schools creating opportunities for the next generation, the organisations caring for people in need and the parishes bringing communities together.
Pictured: John McClusky, CDF Chief Executive Officer.
Celebrations continue across our Dioceses
CDF's 70th anniversary celebrations continue with gatherings in the Diocese of Sale, the Diocese of Bunbury, and the Diocese of Ballarat, recognising the people and partnerships that have shaped CDF's story in each community.
Seventy years on, that story remains one of people helping people, of faith expressed through action and of partnerships creating lasting opportunities for communities to flourish. As CDF looks to the future, the same shared purpose will guide its work: to be the trusted financial services partner, empowering Catholic organisations and communities to build, serve and grow.
This article draws on coverage of CDF's 70th anniversary celebrations published by Melbourne Catholic.
Read the original article: Seventy years of shared faith: celebrating CDF.
Learn more about CDF's 70th anniversary and history at: 70 Years of Building, Serving and Growing: Celebrating CDF's Anniversary
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CDPF Limited, a company established by the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference, has indemnified the Catholic Development Fund ABN 15 274 943 760 (the Fund) against any liability arising out of a claim by investors in the Fund. In practice, this means your investment is backed by the assets of the Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne. The Fund is required by law to make the following disclosure. Investment in the Fund is only intended to attract investors whose primary purpose for making their investment is to support the charitable purposes of the Fund. Investors’ funds will be used to generate a return to the Fund that will be applied to further the charitable works of the Archdiocese of Melbourne and the Dioceses of Sale and Bunbury. The Fund is not prudentially supervised by the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority nor has it been examined or approved by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC). An investor in the Fund will not receive the benefit of the financial claims scheme or the depositor protection provisions in the Banking Act 1959 (Cth). The investments that the Fund offers are not subject to the usual protections for investors under the Corporations Act (Cth) or regulation by ASIC. Investors may be unable to get some or all of their money back when the investor expects or at all and investments in the Fund are not comparable to investments with banks, finance companies or fund managers. The Fund’s identification statement may be viewed here or by contacting the Fund. The Fund does not hold an Australian Financial Services Licence.
