Inspired by Mary MacKillop’s motto to ‘never see a need without doing something about it’, a team from the Sisters of Saint Joseph in North Sydney is making every step count to raise money for First Nations students undertaking their tertiary studies.

It’s part of a larger Congregational fundraising campaign to support the work of Mary MacKillop Today’s First Nations Tertiary Scholarship. Sisters and staff are coming together to raise funds and seek donations by participating in Stadium Stomps, Women’s World Cup Sweeps, Sausage Sizzles and Cent Sales.

“Two colleagues did the Stadium Stomp in Adelaide and raised over $10,000,” says team leader Bernadette who works for the Sisters of Saint Joseph. “So, we got a North Sydney team together to complete the Stadium Stomp at the Sydney Cricket Ground and neighbouring Allianz Stadium on 20 August.”

Known as the SOSJ Mount St Stompers, the team is seeking sponsors for the Stadium Stomp to help raise funds for the good work of Mary MacKillop Today and ensure more First Nations students can access tertiary studies.

“We are all training for the 4,000 steps and more we will climb at the Stadium Stomp. It’s tough, but it will be all worth it if we reach our fundraising target. There are students awaiting the support they need to complete their tertiary studies and the money we raise will go towards university fees.”

The First Nations scholarship program works to address systemic barriers to education by increasing access to tertiary studies for First Nations students through providing financial support. This helps to ensure that scholarship recipients can achieve a better quality of life for themselves, their families and communities.

To date 172 students have graduated with the support of a Mary MacKillop Today’s First Nations Scholarship.

If you would like to donate to the SOSJ Mount St Stompers go to SOSJ Mount St Stompers in Stadium Stomp SCG 2023 (grassrootz.com)