John Mula 

Catholic Education South Australia's (CESA) deputy director John Mula was awarded the Order of Australia Medal (OAM) for his service to Catholic education.

John has worked within Catholic education for 40 years and his career has spanned seven dioceses and four states as a teacher, principal and Catholic education leader. 

John also served as the deputy chair of the National Catholic Education Commission prior to taking up his role at CESA in 2020.

“For me, Catholic education is special because it is focused on the person and their individual growth, but also on the community… and I saw that sense of community when people from all over Australia who I’ve had some connection with over the years contacted me,” he said in a statement to The Southern Cross.  

“Catholic education has been very faithful to me so I couldn’t imagine working anywhere else," John said. "I feel very blessed to be where I am now."

Christine Howe

Catholic Education Diocese of Parramatta's (CEDP) deputy executive director Christine Howe was awarded the Order of Australia Medal (OAM) for her service to secondary education.

Christine was a director of performance at Parramatta since 2014 and was responsible for the direction and performance of over 40 schools across Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains.

Christine’s career in secondary teaching commenced in 1984 when she began at Parramatta Marist High School and progressed into the school’s director of studies which she held until 1994. She was then appointed as deputy principal of Rosebank College, a Good Samaritan Benedictine school in Five Dock.

In 1998 Christine became campus principal of Terra Sancta College and later became principal of Caroline Chisholm College Glenmore Park in 2001, where she remained for over a decade, graduating over 1,000 students.

Christine said my whole career has been devoted to Catholic education.

“This recognition of my work in providing excellent learning opportunities for students in Western Sydney means a lot," she said in a statement.

"To share my love of learning with these young people has been a real honour," Christine said. "It’s all about opening doors to support the next generation in making their contribution."

Photo source: Catholic Education Diocese of Parramatta.

Brian Hanley

Students with principal Brian Hanley at St Monica's College, Epping.

St Monica's College, Epping principal Brian Hanley was awarded the Order of Australia Medal (OAM) for his service to secondary education.

Brian commenced as principal of the College in 1991 and for the past 30 years has been serving the young people of the northern suburbs of Melbourne.

Brian commenced his teaching career in 1976 at Christ the King College, Braybrook and has held several leadership roles and responsibilities including deputy principal of Christ the King College, Braybrook, senior master of St Aloysius College, North Melbourne and campus director and deputy principal of Parade College, Bundoora.

Brian is a member of the Australian Council of Educational Leaders, the Australian College of Educators and the Principals Association of Victorian Catholic Secondary Schools.

Sr Adele Howard RSM

Sr Adele Howard RSM is a Sister of Mercy for 50 years and a former teacher and lecturer in Theology and Australian Studies at Australian Catholic University (ACU). She was awarded the Order of Australia Medal (OAM) for her service to the Catholic Church and the community.

Currently Sr Adele leads Mercy Eco-Communications which provides resources and opportunities to share in the good news of the Gospel by responding to Pope Francis' Laudato Si’.

Photo source: Institute of Sisters of Mercy of Australia and Papua New Guinea

Joan Moylan 

Joan Moylan was awarded the Order of Australia Medal (OAM) for her work as a catechist, teacher and Religious Education coordinator in Catholic schools.

Joan taught at St John Bosco Primary School, Engadine and was a Religious Education cooordinator at St Patrick's Catholic College, Sutherland, Holy Spirit College, Bellambi and Mount St Joseph Catholic College, Milperra.

She was also a catechist teacher at Engadine West, Engadine, Yarrawarrah, Heathcote and Marton public schools.

Source:The St George & Sutherland Shire Leader

Roberta Chapman

Roberta Chapman, a former Catholic school teacher and principal, was awarded the Order of Australia Medal (OAM) for service to primary education.

Roberta worked from 1975 to 1986 at Mary’s Mount Primary School Gooseberry Hill, then as a teacher at St Anthony’s Primary School Greenmount. She then served as St Paul’s Primary School Mt Lawley principal between 1988 and 1999, and as St Brigid’s Primary School Midland deputy principal from 2000 to 2001.

Photo source: Catholic Education Western Australia 

Jennifer Barry 

Jennifer Barry was awarded the Order of Australia Medal (OAM) for her service to the community of Gladstone including volunteering for the Reading Stars Program at Star of the Sea Catholic Primary School, Gladstone, within the Diocese of Rockhampton since 2016. Jennifer also has volunteered at St Vincent de Paul society for the past 20 years. 

Dannielle Miller

Dannielle Miller was awarded the Order of Australia Medal (OAM) for her service to education, to women, and to youth. She previously worked as a Catholic Education Officer at Catholic Education Diocese of Parramattaand was English Coordinator at Terra Sancta College Sydney.