Bulletin 107

This archival collection celebrates the contribution made by all who campaigned relentlessly during the 1960s for government financial assistance. The breakthrough came in 1968 with the NSW State Government paying schools $12 for each primary student and $18 for each secondary student.

Pictorially recorded is the contribution made by Br Kelvin Canavan, between 1968-2008, to ensuring that the needs of Catholic school students were clearly understood by parliamentarians and the wider community, and that the grants from successive Federal and State governments kept pace with rising costs. Access to Catholic education in Sydney was central to the continuing campaign for appropriate levels of financial assistance.

In the years ahead it is imperative that the next generation of leaders sustain a campaign to ensure that government and community support for the funding of non-government schools continues. Government funding of schools should never be taken for granted.

Bulletin 108

This Report outlines in summary form the contribution of the Principals, teachers and support staff of Sydney Catholic Schools, and the staff of the Catholic Education Office, to ensuring a successful World Youth Day and a life-changing spiritual experience for the pilgrims.

World Youth Day 2008 in Sydney has been judged an outstanding international celebration of youth and Faith. Sydney welcomed 230,000 pilgrims, including over 110,000 from 170 nations. There was an overwhelming and unprecedented spirit of happiness and goodwill across Sydney, with local, national and international media widely reporting all major events of WYD08. His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI expressed his warm gratitude to the people of Sydney, the
Australian Catholic Church, State and Federal Governments, WYD08 staff volunteers and all others who contributed to the success of WYD08.

I am deeply appreciative of all staff who gave so generously of their time and expertise, and to their families who supported them through the preparation for and during WYD08. Their resourcefulness and unflinching cheerfulness, often in very challenging situations, is recognised and celebrated.