Mary MacKillop Today

11/10/2026

Patience. Trust. Knowing when to step in and when to give space.

Through Yawardani Jan-ga, a group of young men from Broome Residential College spent time working alongside horses, and learnt a lot about themselves and each other along the way.

They started by haltering the horses. By the end, they were guiding them through obstacle courses using body language and clear communication. They cheered each other on, helped each other up and made sure everyone had a turn.

The skills they practised, like setting boundaries, asking for what they need and backing their mates, are ones they can carry home to family, friends and community.

This Mental Health Month, we're celebrating the strength that grows when young people have space to connect. 💛

To learn more about Yawardani Jan-ga, visit our website https://www.marymackilloptoday.org.au/what-we-do/our-projects/equine-assisted-learning-eal/

10/10/2026

"Try to keep God with us by charity of thought, word and act." — Saint Mary MacKillop, 1890

A simple reminder this week: kindness doesn't need a grand gesture. It shows up in how we think, what we say, and what we do, one small act at a time.

08/10/2026

Mental health advocacy isn't just what we say when people are well. It's how we treat each other when someone is struggling.

Our partners at Psychiatric Survivors Association Fiji have shared a powerful reminder this Mental Health Awareness Month. When someone is going through a mental health crisis, they need safety, privacy and compassion, not judgement or assumptions.

Every person deserves to be treated with dignity, especially when they're struggling. Let's lead with compassion.💙

07/10/2026

Today we remember Fr Julian Tenison Woods, who co-founded the Sisters of Saint Joseph with Mary MacKillop. Their shared vision of going where the need is greatest still guides our work today. 💛

Remembering Father Julian Tenison Woods

As we commemorate the anniversary of Fr Julian Tenison Woods' death on 7 October 1889, we remember how highly respected he is for his scientific knowledge and his care for creation.

As Sisters of Saint Joseph of the Sacred Heart Congregational Leader, Sr Josephine Dubiel, shares, "Fr Julian’s scientific studies of nature led him to a reverence of the sacred at the heart of all creation, the Creator God, and he often expressed this in poetic language of the day."

Fr Julian founded with Saint Mary MacKillop, the Sisters of Saint Joseph in 1866, and with Catherine Gaffney, the Sisters of Perpetual Adoration in 1874.

"On his death anniversary, we remember and give thanks for the vision, the courage and the care shown by Fr Julian and for all that has, as a result, evolved during these 160 years [since the founding of the Josephite Congregation]."

View Sr Josephine's reflection here: www.sosj.org.au/remembering-julian-tenison-woods

Learn more about Fr Julian here: www.sosj.org.au/founded-to-respond/julian-tenison-woods



🖼 Original sketches of insects and shell by Julian have been generated with AI. Julian sketch partially generated with AI.

04/10/2026

"Teacher, can't we watch it anymore?"

That's what Lourenca's preschool students ask when the power goes out mid-lesson.

Lourenca is a preschool coordinator in Timor-Leste. She and her fellow teachers were among the first in the municipality's 34 kindergartens to train in the EdTech for Early Learning app. Soon after, Mary MacKillop Today delivered projectors, screens and the equipment they needed to put it straight into practice.

The first attempts were tricky, but the teachers pushed through. Now children are learning numbers and colours through sounds and pictures, arriving at school earlier and staying motivated. When the app isn't available, Lourenca's team switches back to storybooks, so the learning never stops.

"Education is the key to self-development, our country and the future of our children," Lourenca says.

Together with teachers and families we're helping children in Timor-Leste rise with courage.

Learn more about EdTech for Early Learning 👇
https://www.marymackilloptoday.org.au/what-we-do/our-projects/edtech-for-early-learning/

03/10/2026

"Education is critical to setting these children up for the best possible future." 💛

That's how one of our supporters finished the sentence: "I believe every child deserves the chance to learn because…"

Every child's story is different, but the belief is the same. Education opens doors that nothing else can.

👉 Finish the sentence yourself in the comments. We'd love to hear why you believe every child deserves the chance to learn.

02/10/2026

"The biggest barrier we face isn't the disability itself, it's the stigma."

This Mental Health Awareness Month, we're sharing Sera's story. Sera leads the Psychiatric Survivors Association in Fiji, and she's a person with psychosocial disability. She's also a powerful advocate for what changes when partners truly listen.

Watch as Sera speaks about stigma, solidarity, and the partnerships that transform communities.

→ Watch the full video on our blog: https://www.marymackilloptoday.org.au/what-real-partnership-in-mental-health-work-looks-like

01/10/2026

October is Cyber Security Action Month, and this year's theme says it all: Take a second. Stay secure.

Scammers count on speed and emotion. A few simple checks before you give can keep your generosity going exactly where you intend it to.

Our new blog shares five easy ways to stay safer when donating online, from going directly to the charity's website to knowing what to do if something feels off.

Read the tips and share them with someone you care about 👇
https://www.marymackilloptoday.org.au/how-to-stay-safe-when-donating-online/

30/09/2026

Yesterday, a delegation of Australian philanthropists visited a preschool in Dili, Timor-Leste, implementing our ETEL project, and they witnessed children building numeracy and literacy skills, and growing in confidence.

Even more powerful was seeing government leaders standing beside us, committed to scaling this approach nationally. Strong partnership between donors, implementers, and government is how we create lasting change. Every child deserves early learning that honours who they are and opens doors to their future.

Learn about our work in Timor-Leste.
https://www.marymackilloptoday.org.au/what-we-do/our-projects/edtech-for-early-learning/

30/09/2026

What does real partnership look like in development work?

Over the past decade, Mary MacKillop Today has been building something precious with the Noel & Carmel O'Brien Family Foundation. A relationship grounded in trust, not just funding.

When they came to us with a bold idea to transform early learning in Timor-Leste, we didn't start with the technology. We started with the teachers, parents, and children. We listened. We went slower when it mattered. We held our ground when needed. And when things didn't go to plan, we treated it as an opportunity.

Today, our Early Learning Project has reached 9,000 children across two-thirds of Timor-Leste's government preschools. But the real story? It's about showing what ethical, locally-led development can do.

Read how trust compounds over time, and why genuine partnership changes everything for the communities we work with, and for Australian development practice.

https://www.marymackilloptoday.org.au/trust-in-development

Inspired by this work? There are many ways to support education that changes lives. Learn more about supporting our work in Timor-Leste. https://www.marymackilloptoday.org.au/donate/