Students, families and staff gathered at the Mercy Junortoun Sporting Precinct on Thursday 11 December to celebrate and acknowledge the 2025 academic achievements of students in Years 7 to 11 at our annual Presentation Evening.

Subject Dux Awards, as well as scholarships and special awards, were announced for students who had achieved academic excellence in their subjects and whose dedication and hard work were to be commended.

The evening commenced with the Acknowledgement and Prayer, read by 2026 College Captains, Issy Byrne and Sam Gibson.

Some of the awards are bestowed in recognition of former teachers, students and form part of history and were presented by special guests. The Val Pinder Memorial Award, presented by Val’s sister, Pat, is given in memory of a former French teacher and encourages students in the study of language. In 2025, Oisín Dunne was the recipient of the Val Pinder Memorial Award.

The Past Students Association of St Vincent’s College awards support and encourage students in the areas of agriculture and technology as they move from Year 9 into Year 10. This year’s recipients were Rylee Marsh (Technology) and Grace Lamb (Agriculture). The awards were presented by St Vincent’s College past student, Mr Kevin McGrath, who took a moment to acknowledge the recent passing of Mr Frank Harrop and the role he had played in promoting these awards at the College.

Dedication and talent in the fine arts were also recognised through the Friends of the Bendigo Art Gallery Award (awarded to Nicole Lethlean) and the Atelier Art Award (awarded to Mia Geary).

The Rotary Club of Bendigo South Scholarship was awarded to Macey Rye.

Universities play a significant role in encouraging the academic achievement of our students and present a series of awards: the Australian Defence Force grants the Long Tan Youth Leadership Award to a student in Year 10, this year to Maggie Lamb, while the Future Innovators award was presented to William Brew.

La Trobe University Excellence Awards were awarded to Jackson Harris (Accounting), Elliot Ryan (Business Management) and Owen Perry (Legal Studies). The La Trobe University Infinity Awards went to Jack Oldham, Tobias Sexton and Chloe Vincent.

The Rotary Club of Bendigo South Scholarship was awarded to Macey Rye.

The Melbourne University Kwong Lee Dow Young Scholars Program award was presented to Grace Mulqueen.

The Seeds of Justice Award, which is given in memory of Sarah Slattery to a student who has shown the greatest commitment to social justice, was awarded to Diana Napoleon.

Our most esteemed College community award is the Bishop Noel Daly Award, awarded to a graduate who has been an exemplary role model throughout their six years at Catherine McAuley College Bendigo. The 2025 recipient was Jay Thakar.

A musical interlude was provided by 2025 Arts Captain, Tarah Frawley, who performed an original composition.

At the conclusion of proceedings, Principal Mr Brian Turner congratulated the students on their application to their studies, which led to the acknowledgement of their academic achievements. He also congratulated teachers and families for their support of the students and for their help in developing a culture of achievement and success. He was proud of the students’ accomplishments and thanked those in attendance for helping to celebrate them.