8 November 2022

Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools (MACS) and the Rerum Novarum Foundation have announced the winners of the 2021/2022 Rerum Novarum Awards.

The presentation took place with students and teachers gathering in person to share their passion for social justice and to celebrate their achievements. Aligned to the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference Social Justice Statement 2021–22, Cry of the Earth, Cry of the Poor, the awards asked students in Years 9–12 to address a social justice issue in their community, using the ‘See, Judge, Act’ method to apply the principles of Catholic social teaching to their project. Entries included a research paper, a video submission, a project impact report and a funding proposal. Seed grants of $1,000 were paid to schools to implement their projects, with further grants – one each of $3,000, $2,000 and $1,000 – available to the winning entries.

Congratulations to the 2021/2022 Rerum Novarum award-winners:

• First place: Catholic Ladies’ College Ltd, Eltham. Students created toiletry and stationery packs to combat disadvantage, as well as highlight the impacts of fast fashion.
• Second place: Our Lady of Mercy College, Heidelberg. A reading club, in collaboration with St Pius X School, Heidelberg West, combated isolation during periods of lockdown and remote learning.
• Third place: Caroline Chisholm Catholic College, Braybrook. Students implemented an upcycling program, collecting technology and stationery to be repurposed rather than contributing to landfill.

Encouragement awards were also presented to Marymede Catholic College, South Morang, Mercy College, Coburg, Padua College, Mornington, and Salesian College, Chadstone, as well as St Patrick’s College, Ballarat (Diocese of Ballarat). Details about the 2023 Rerum Novarum Awards will be available early next year on the RESource website.