Recognising deserving secondary school students through the 2024 CDF Father James Wall Bursary
February 21, 2025

For over two decades, CDF has directly supported the next generation of Catholic leaders through the Father James Wall Bursary. The award, established in honour of CDF’s founder, Father James ‘Jim’ Wall, continues his legacy of fostering faith, leadership, and service within our Catholic school communities.  


Each year, seven Year 10 students from across the Archdiocese of Melbourne and the Dioceses of Sale, Bunbury, and Ballarat are recognised for their outstanding contributions to their schools and communities. The bursary provides each recipient with $5,000 to support their Year 11 and 12 school fees, helping the students continue their education journey in a Catholic secondary school.

 

This year seven remarkable students, who embody the values of service, commitment, and faith-filled leadership were celebrated at school presentation ceremonies across the country. Notably, this year marks another milestone for the bursary as CDF extended the award to the Diocese of Ballarat. 

Meet the 2024 Recipients 

Mitchell – St Mary MacKillop College, Swan Hill 


Mitchell’s passion for literature and academic excellence is matched by his deep commitment to service. Whether assisting the elderly, volunteering at his local club, or contributing to school initiatives, he leads with humility and a strong sense of purpose. 


Pictured: Mitchell and his father with Michelle Heusler (Principal St Mary MacKillop College), Matthew Byrne (Deputy Director DOBCEL), and Michelle Ross-FitzGerald (CDF Partnerships Manager).

Jemma – Marist-Sion College, Warragul 


Jemma’s leadership extends beyond her school as she actively engages in social justice initiatives and parish events. Her participation in the Santa Teresa Immersion experience has inspired her to pursue a future in education, with a focus on working in Aboriginal communities. 


Pictured: Brendan Hoy (CDF General Manager, Client Services), Jemma and Lisa (Principal, Marist Sion College).  

Owen – St Ignatius College, Geelong 


A dedicated leader and all-rounder, Owen has served as Ignatian Leader, Student Council Representative, and Academic Captain. His commitment to social justice is evident through his involvement in the Vinnies Sleep Out and Indigenous Immersion, while his dedication to coaching and charity work further showcases his servant-hearted leadership. 


Pictured: Gerard Bibile (CDF Executive Manager, Client Relationships) and Phil Gard (CDF Relationship Manager) and Michael Exton (Principal, St Ignatis College).

Anria – Our Lady of Sion College, Box Hill 


Anria lives her school’s motto, “Truth in Love,” through her leadership roles in social justice, St Vincent de Paul, and liturgical services. Her talents span across academics, music, and community service, making a lasting impact in every space she enters. 


Pictured: Anria with Brendan Hoy (CDF General Manager Client Services) and Milton Balazs (CDF Relationship Manager)

Cacharel – Bunbury Catholic College, Bunbury 


Cacharel has been a passionate advocate for her peers, leading initiatives such as the Push-Up Challenge and "Give a Damn, Give a Can." She is also deeply involved in tutoring, coaching, and youth ministry, embodying servant leadership through her unwavering commitment to her school and local community.


Pictured: Cacharel and her family with Kerrie Merritt (CEWA), Deb Garbutt (Vice Principal, Bunbury Catholic College), Sally Brand (CDF Relationship Manager).

Aira – St Monica’s College, Epping 


Aira’s leadership is rooted in inclusivity and service, from coaching and championing social causes to welcoming international students. Her contributions to sustainability initiatives and advocacy for Autism awareness reflect her dedication to creating positive change.


Pictured: Aira with Matthew Cassin (CDF CEO), and Nic La Rosa (St Monica's Business Manager). 

Elaina – Sacred Heart Girls College, Hughesdale 


Guided by her school’s motto, "Always Striving Upwards," Elaina is a dedicated leader involved in faith, liturgy, and social justice initiatives. From supporting the elderly to mentoring young swimmers, she consistently uplifts those around her. 


Pictured: Elaina and her parents with Brendan Hoy (CDF, General Manager, Client Services)

Congratulations to all the 2024 CDF Father Wall Bursary recipients. We look forward to witnessing the continued impact of your leadership in the years to come. 


As we celebrate this year’s recipients and their achievements, we invite you to learn more about the Father James Wall Bursary and the impact it continues to have on young Catholic leaders. Visit the official bursary page: Father James Wall Bursary. 

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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.