Marist Noel Fundraiser 2025: A Heartfelt Wrap-Up

The project and campaign 'Marist Noel' has grown out of the strong Marist180 desire and commitment to capture the Christmas spirit for the children and young people in our care, to a meaningful and memorable Christmas, by giving our clients a gift(s) of their choice.

We promoted this opportunity to our suppliers, community donors, extended community, the Marist family, and encouraged them to contribute in whatever way they can. Marist Noel exceeded our $50000 target, and we are deeply indebted to and grateful for all the contributors and donors.

We also received gifts donated directly by families from St. Gregory's Junior School, Campbelltown, and students from St Joseph’s College, Hunters Hill. We especially thank and acknowledge the efforts of Ms Robyn Bowen, Leader of Religious Education, St Gregory’s Junior School, and Ms Jessica Bryan, Director of Faith and Formation, at St Joseph's College.

We likewise had fantastic assistance and support from a group of Commonwealth Bank of Australia staff, and Year 10 Marist College Kogarah students, who helped us with gift wrapping for several hours.

Year 10 Marist College Kogarah students.

Mr Robert Almeida, Marist180 staff and Year 10 Marist College Kogarah students.

We sought out other ways and means of the campaign support. Having registered as a Charity with the NSW ‘Return and Earn’ initiative, we have promoted this as another way of donation, and have had a series of small donations, that, over time, all add up.

We reached out to our supplier Optus to explore potential partnerships. They generously supported us by donating a new iPhone 17, which was raffled. In incorporating a raffle into our Marist Noel campaign, and we raised more than $1400 from ticket​ sales.

This year the iPhone was won by a colleague and generous Marist Noel volunteer ‘elf’, Christina Sheiles.

Marist Noel Coordinator, Adriana Garcia, Optus Senior Account Manager, Cleo Markas, Christina Sheiles, Patrick O’Reilly.

In summary, many thanks to these Marist Schools for their support:

• Marist College, Ashgrove

• Trinity Catholic College, Beenleigh

• Marcellin College, Bulleen

• Bunbury Catholic College

• St Gregory’s Junior School, Campbelltown

• St Patrick’s Marist College, Dundas

• St Joseph’s College, Hunters Hill

• Marist College, Kogarah

• Marist Catholic College, Penshurst

• Newman College, Perth

• Marist Sisters College, Woolwich.

Additional and likewise thanks to Christ the King Primary School, North Rocks for their fundraising event and efforts. We truly appreciate your support and contribution. 

Through the generosity of many, more than 200 children and young people received Christmas gifts. We are filled with gratitude for every donor and supporter who contributed to Marist Noel. We thank everyone for their support in creating this for and with us. Together, and by association, we are ‘creating positive change’. 

Patrick O’Reilly, Director Mission, Inclusion and Identity.