Celebrating over 20 years of emerging student leaders with the CDF Fr James Wall Bursary
February 22, 2024

Pictured: Bede and his mother with Brendan Hoy; CDF GM Client Services and Aaron Gupta; CDF Relationship Manager.

For over 20 years the CDF Fr James Wall Bursary has recognised the achievements of students in the Catholic community.


Year 10 students from Catholic colleges in Melbourne, Sale and Bunbury have had an opportunity to demonstrate not only excellence in academics and sport but also leadership and social service in their local community.


In 2023, CDF was proud to award six students with a $5,000 bursary to assist with school fees and expenses in the final two years of Catholic education.


The six students were recognised by the CDF team at college award ceremonies, not only to present the Fr James Wall Bursary but also learn about the outstanding achievements of many students across the community.


Congratulations to all the 2023 Fr James Wall Bursary recipients:

2023 Recipient Highlights:


Bede (pictured at top) from Nagle College, Bairnsdale has taken an active role volunteering in the community where he assists with activity at St Mary’s Catholic Primary School – his community involvement saw him raise an incredible $10,000 for the Leukemia Foundation on his own merit. While keeping busy with high-school studies, Bede also challenged himself on a special project, working alongside professors and staff at Swinburne University astrophysics department.


Callum from St Joseph’s College, Geelong is a member of the St Joseph’s Inclusive Community team, where he has been working with a disability inclusion coach to help create a more inclusive and accessible school environment for all students, including those with physical or mental impairments. A worthy recipient of the Bursary.


Jake from Padua College, Mornington, is an active leader in the Respectful Relationships Team at the college. He played a pivotal role in working with the school’s leadership team to develop a program aimed at assisting students to better care for their health and wellbeing – mirroring the values of compassion and empathy that underpin the College’s philosophy.

Maddison from Caroline Chisholm College, Braybrook is a college ambassador, campus captain and has displayed great passion and dedication to the College’s leadership and faith portfolio. Whilst keeping herself busy with an array of activities she also actively volunteers with St Vincent De Paul, MacKillop Paw Pals and Friends of Kororoit Creek in her local community.


Preston from St Mary MacKillop College, Busselton, not only excels academically but also passionately participates in sporting and community engagements, including volunteering at local Iron Man events and the Disabled Surfing Australia Assocation. Whilst also playing an active role in the College’s SRC, Preston took charge with the student voice survey, leading a collegiate culture of inclusion, cooperation and community development.

Sienna from Clonard College, Geelong is a passionate social justice leader and has been the driving force behind the Brigidine Asylum Seeker Program Food Drive, the Winter Coat Appeal, Justice Meal Deal, Clean Up Wadawurrung Country, and the St Thomas Reading Program. In 2023 Sienna was also chosen to represent her College at World Youth Day in Portugal.


Congratulations to all the 2023 recipients!

Pictured: Sienna with GM Client Services Brendan Hoy and CDF Relationship Manager Aaron Gupta.

Since 2002, CDF has sponsored a total of 105 bursaries, for deserving Catholic secondary school students.


Learn more about the CDF Fr Wall Bursary.

Share this article:

Related articles

Helping Children Feel Safe to Learn with MacKillop Family Services

April 17, 2026
For some children, the classroom can feel overwhelming. Anxiety, trauma, learning challenges or difficult life experiences can make it hard to concentrate, participate or feel safe at school. For these students, reconnecting with learning often requires more than traditional support approaches. Since 2018, MacKillop Family Services’ Paw Pals program has quietly been helping students take meaningful steps forward, one gentle interaction at a time. Through the presence of specially trained therapy dogs and skilled facilitators, Paw Pals creates safe and supportive environments where children can regulate emotions, rebuild trust and re-engage with learning. For the past five years, CDF has proudly partnered with MacKillop Family Services to support the continued growth of this program across schools.

A place of hope for the Bunbury Diocese: St Joseph's Church Albany named first Diocesan Shrine

April 2, 2026
On Sunday 22 March 2026, the Catholic community in Albany gathered for a moment that had been generations in the making. St Joseph's Church, Albany was formally declared the first Diocesan Shrine for the Diocese of Bunbury - a recognition that affirms what so many in the community have long known: this is a place where faith endures, and where people come to seek hope. The Elevation Mass, celebrated by Bishop George Kolodziej SDS DD and led locally by Parish Priest Fr Vincent Comple OSJ, brought together clergy, pilgrims and visitors from across the diocese to mark the occasion. It was the culmination of a weekend of prayer, reflection and celebration that honoured both the history of the Church in Albany and the beginning of this new chapter. A weekend of prayer and pilgrimage The celebrations unfolded across three days. Friday opened with a Holy Hour and Mass celebrated by Bishop George. On Saturday, pilgrims walked through Albany retracing the history of the Catholic Church in the region, before gathering for Mass and fellowship. Sunday's Elevation Mass brought the weekend to a close, followed by a community celebration of this important milestone.

Bishop Mark Ordained and Installed as Ninth Bishop of Ballarat

By Michelle Ross-FitzGerald • March 25, 2026
Media Release: Catholic Diocese of Ballarat The Catholic Diocese of Ballarat joyfully celebrated the ordination and installation of Fr Mark Freeman as the Ninth Bishop of Ballarat on Thursday 19 March at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Ballarat. The celebration brought together bishops, clergy, parish representatives, ecumenical guests, civic representatives, and members of the wider community to witness this significant moment in the life of the Church. The ordination and installation were led by Archbishop Peter A Comensoli with assisting bishops from all over Australia. In addition to around these 500 people packing St Patrick’s Cathedral, the ceremony was livestreamed to hundreds of people across the country.
More

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.