By Sr. Caroline Price, Province Leader of Australia/Aotearoa-New Zealand

“Do everything you can for love, and you will see what you are capable of”

– Saint Mary Euphrasia

In Australia, Good Shepherd Day 2026 was marked by a nationwide gathering that brought together staff and sisters, both in person and online, united in reflection, celebration, and a renewed commitment to the organization’s mission.

Held on June 24, the event carried deep historical significance, commemorating 163 years since the arrival of the first Good Shepherd Sisters in Australia, after a grueling four-month sea journey. They brought with them the global Good Shepherd mission of responding to the social needs of the times, a mission that continues to grow exponentially. Speakers throughout the event reflected on the courage of those early pioneers and the enduring legacy that continues to shape the organization’s work today.

A National Gathering Anchored in Shared Mission

The celebration was hosted by Good Shepherd Australia New Zealand’s CEO, Stella Avramopoulos, and Executive General Manager, Mission and Culture, Catherine Dillon. Our staff and sisters of the Good Shepherd joined from across Australia.

United for justice. Listening with compassion. Responding with love. These themes reflect our alignment with our broader nine Asia-Pacific regional partners and emphasize collaboration, empathy, and action in responding to evolving community needs.

Stories of Courage, Service, and Transformation

Focal to our commemoration of Good Shepherd Day were the stories of the trailblazing Sr Pam Malony, Sr, Noelene White and Sr Anne Dalton. They shared their stories and insights of their unique charisms and how they have connected to mission to guide their work and shift approaches in response to the community needs of our times.

The three sisters encouraged participants to reflect on the broader social context, noting that the day in Australia fell between Refugee Week y NAIDOC Week (National Aboriginal and Islanders Day Observance Committee) – an important reminder of the importance of listening deeply to diverse stories and experiences.

Across these reflections, common themes emerged: courage in the face of uncertainty, commitment to justice, and a willingness to adapt to changing societal needs.

Continuing the Legacy Through Modern Practice

Executive General Manager People, Communications & Digital, Robyn Saranah; Senior Client Services and Support Officer, Peter Taylor; and General Manager, National Financial Health and Wellbeing Platform, Vita Maiorano, reflected on these experiences, connecting historical stories and contexts to contemporary work.

“As the needs of people change, we have got to change.”

“We recognize that financial hardship is not simply about money but about people, relationships, dignity, and opportunity.”

“It takes courage to challenge established ways of working and to create new models of support.”

“Sister Anne reminds us that lasting change begins with relationships. The goal is not simply to provide a service, but to walk alongside people. This is a powerful reminder of our purpose.”

Robyn, Peter and Vita highlighted how the Good Shepherd mission continues to evolve, addressing issues such as financial hardship, family violence, and systemic inequality while maintaining a strong focus on dignity and inclusion.

Our work remains deeply relational, focused on walking alongside individuals and communities. This includes learning from lived experience, responding to emerging needs, and working collaboratively to create meaningful change.

A Day of Reflection and Renewal

The event encouraged participants to pause and reflect on their own contributions to the mission—past, present, and future. Attendees were invited to consider how they embody the organization’s core values in their daily work and how they can continue to respond with compassion, justice, and love.

Closing the celebration, both Catherine and Stella paid tribute to the sisters whose leadership and service have shaped the organization, as well as to staff who continue to deliver frontline support every day. They acknowledged that while many gathered to celebrate, others remained actively engaged in delivering critical services to communities in need.

Good Shepherd Day 2026 served not only as a celebration of history but as a reaffirmation of purpose. As the organization continues to operate across 67 countries globally and deepen its regional connections, the call to act with courage, compassion and justice remains central.

Discover more about the Good Shepherd mission in Australia aquí.