In 2024, the Mary Magdalene Award was relaunched after a brief hiatus during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The award recognises a woman living in, and committed to, the Diocese of Maitland Newcastle. It is a public affirmation of a life lived in ways that echo the spirit of Mary Magdalene.
As the Apostle to the Apostles, Mary Magdalene was a prominent leader in the early Church. She remained fearless and faithful to Jesus during his earthly ministry. She remains a symbol of courage, strength, resilience, empowerment, and leadership and inspires us to recognise and uplift the remarkable women among us.
This year, 38 people were nominated for the award, with the honour going to Bernadette Newton from the Myall Coast Parish.
Bernadette and all the other nominees were recognised at a special award ceremony on Sunday 28 July.
Read more about it by clicking here.
To view a gallery of images from the event, click here.
2024 Nominees:
St Brigid's Parish, Raymond Terrace - Vinette Shrimpton
Holy Trinity Blackbutt North - Ann Morris
All Saints Blackbutt South – Anne Lamotte
Holy Trinity Blackbutt North- Barbara Strang
Myall Coast Parish- Bernadette Newton
Holy Cross Glendale- Bernadette Royan
East Maitland Parish- Beverley Bailey
Wallsend-Shortland Parish- Catherine Low
Taree/Wingham Parish - Catherine Richmond
Toronto Parish - Deborah Gwynne
All Saints Blackbutt South - Faye Robertson
St. Stephen's Myall Coast Parish – Francis Betar
East Lake Macquarie Parish- Helen Andrews
St. Stephen's Myall Coast Parish – Jan Peeters
Holy Cross Glendale - Jeanette McGinniskin
Our Lady of the Rosary, Taree Parish - Joan Irene Gibbs
MacKillop Parish - Jo-Anne Franks
Holy Trinity Blackbutt North- Joy Loas
Wallsend-Shortland Parish - Joy Cork
Wallsend-Shortland Parish – Kathleen White
Mum's Cottage Volunteer – Lavina Stobbart
Mum's Cottage Volunteer - Lyn Hughes
St John the Baptist,Maitland- Lynette Huckstadt
Holy Trinity Blackbutt North - Margaret Metcalfe
Holy Trinity Blackbutt North - Margaret Ann Wheeler
Tighes Hill Parish – Margarett Crockett
St. Stephen's Myall Coast Parish – Mary Leafe
East Lake Macquarie Parish – Mary Ryan
Stockton Parish – Maureen Frize
Taree Parish- Monica McMullen
Holy Trinity Blackbutt North - Naomi Dorothy Smith
Holy Trinity Blackbutt North - Narelle Heard
St Patrick's Singleton- Niamh Marzol
Sugarloaf Parish- Patricia Spradbrow
Sugarloaf Parish -Rosemary Ansell
Nelson Bay Parish (St Michael's)- Sr Catherine Norman
Wallsend-Shortland Parish - Suzanne Proudlock
Mackillop Parish - Yvonne Rego
