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Year 5 Excursion to the Mary MacKillop Heritage Centre

Tuesday, August 05, 2025

On Friday 1 August,, our Year 5 students had the wonderful opportunity to visit the Mary MacKillop Heritage Centre in Melbourne. The day was filled with learning, reflection, and a deeper connection to the life and legacy of Saint Mary MacKillop, Australia’s first saint.


We began with a peaceful nature walk, giving students a chance to reflect on the beauty of God’s creation and prepare their hearts and minds for the day. From there, we visited the breathtaking St Patrick’s Cathedral, where students experienced the sacred space and learnt about Mary’s strong connection to prayer and faith.


At the Heritage Centre, students explored a range of exhibits during a guided museum tour, where they viewed Mary’s wheelchair, personal items, and artefacts from her time. A highlight for many was seeing a relic — a piece of Mary’s hair discovered on her hairbrush, which made her story feel very real and close to home.


We finished the excursion by attending Mass, a peaceful and prayerful moment that allowed students to reflect on all they had seen and learnt. Many were inspired by Mary MacKillop’s courage, kindness, and commitment to helping others — especially the poor and the sick.


It was a rich and meaningful day that brought our Catholic faith to life in a beautiful way. Mary MacKillop’s words continue to guide us: “Never see a need without doing something about it.”

- Ms Martina Gawro

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