The Council has released the Australia Day 2025 Reflection and Discernment Guide to enable Catholics to explore the complexities and significance of the day.

The discussion on January 26, also known as Australia Day, remains a divisive topic in Australia, with many First Nations people viewing it as a day of mourning rather than celebration. While it is marketed as a day that unites all Australians, for Indigenous communities, it marks the beginning of colonization, loss of sovereignty, and cultural destruction. The debate resurfaces annually, highlighting its significance to those negatively impacted. Emma Garlit presents an analogy likening the celebration of January 26 to intruders returning annually to commemorate an act of harm, reinforcing why many Indigenous Australians feel excluded and distressed on this day.

Father Jim’s homily begins with an analogy to barn raising in American farming communities, where everyone comes together to build a barn for a neighbor in need. He draws a parallel to St. George’s Maronite Church in Thornleigh, where the parishioners contributed their skills—many being bricklayers and concreters—to construct the church nearly free of labor costs. This example highlights the power of community collaboration and shared responsibility in building something lasting. However, Father Jim reflects on the current situation in his own parishes, OLHC Epping and St. Gerard’s Carlingford, acknowledging that while they may not have the physical skills to build a church, they possess spiritual gifts that are just as vital in strengthening the Church, the Body of Christ.

Simon Sinek's presentation, 'A Guide to Leadership,' explores the true essence and challenges of leadership. He emphasizes that leadership is not about being in charge but about taking care of those in our charge. Sinek points out that most people are trained to be good at their jobs, but there's a lack of training in how to lead others. This gap often results in managers who micromanage instead of true leaders.

Watch a very special performance of ‘I Am Australian’ by the students of Broome Primary School. The ABC would like to thank the Mabu Yawuru ngan-ga language team and Yawuru Traditional Owners of Broome for providing the translation of the song ‘I Am Australian’ and for assisting us in the making of this video. To find out more and share your ABC stories visit

The presentation starts by illustrating how the mind is a natural storyteller, making connections and creating narratives to understand the world. This is demonstrated through a quirky exercise where the audience is asked to consider how a desk could be the mother of a chair, highlighting the mind's tendency to form stories even in the absence of logical connections.

Sister Vicki Celebrates 25 years as a Marist Missionary Sister

'Rabbit-Proof Fence' is a powerful and poignant true story set in Australia during the 1930s. It follows the journey of three young Aboriginal girls, Molly, Daisy, and Gracie, who are forcibly removed from their families by the Australian government as part of its policy to assimilate Indigenous children into white society. The girls are taken to a remote settlement, but determined to return home, they escape and embark on an incredible journey back to their families, using the vast rabbit-proof fence as their guide. The film highlights the resilience, strength, and indomitable spirit of these girls as they defy all odds and navigate the harsh landscape, facing numerous challenges and encounters along the way. Their story sheds light on the unjust treatment of Indigenous Australians and serves as a powerful testament to the unbreakable bond between mother and child and the enduring spirit of the Aboriginal people.

'Jesu' is a deeply spiritual and reverent song by Dr. G. Yunupingu (Gurrumul), a Yolu musician from Arnhem Land, Northern Territory, Australia. Gurrumul was known for blending traditional Yolu culture with contemporary music, and this song reflects his personal faith and Indigenous spirituality.