CRMV Annual Gathering 2026
(L-R) John McMahon FMS, Patricia Bergin, Mary Barbuto NDS, Darren McGregor, Rosemary Copeland, Michael Godfrey cfc, Elizabeth Labone
recognising wisdom leaders
At the CRMV Annual General Meeting dinner on 8 September 2026, four people received ‘Wisdom Leader’ awards for their service to Victorian Catholic Education:
Sr Mary Barbuto NDS
Rosemary Copeland
Br Michael Godfrey cfc
Br John McMahon fms
The practice of recognising ‘CRMV Wisdom Leaders’ began in 2023 as a way of looking with gratitude to those who have come before us in RI/MPJP education in Victoria.
Our past Wisdom Leaders
2023 – Sr Brigid Arthur csb, Jeffrey Burn , Fr Paul Cahill, O.Carm , Shirley Gauci
2024 – Michael Doyle, Rose Marie Prosser, Sr Nola Vanderfeen pbvm, Sr Joan Wilson rsm
2025 – Sr Barbara Brown-Graham fcJ, Christopher Houlihan, Eugene Lynch, Julie Ryan OAM
Our intent as a Catholic education community has always been to preserve, enhance and promote the rich legacy of our founding religious congregations in a way that enriches all of Catholic education in Victoria.
Just as Lady Wisdom in the Book of Proverbs draws humanity towards the greater good, our own Wisdom Leaders draw us towards the shared endeavour of our mission in Catholic education.
They are the leaders, guides and advocates for RI/MPJP schools who have responded to the signs of the times, discerned and articulated a common view about key education issues and sought to build collegiality and transparency across all of Catholic education in Victoria through respectful dialogue.
We look to them for their example, we walk in their footsteps, and we benefit considerably from their leadership and wisdom.
