The Diocese of Parramatta’s 38th annual golf day was a hole in one, having raised more than $20,000 to support Western Sydney’s homeless women and children as well as students abroad living in poverty.
More than 170 golfers tested their prowess on the green at Richmond Golf Club, and even more gathered for a luncheon attended by Bishop of Parramatta, Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv.
The annual 2024 Diocese of Parramatta fundraiser at Richmond Golf Club. Image: Diocese of Parramatta/Maureen Rose Photography.
At the luncheon, Bishop Vincent thanked this year’s sponsors and organisers, and touched upon the serious topic impacting our local community – homelessness and poverty.
Catholic Care Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains Executive Director Helen Emmerson said the not-for-profit agency is supporting young pregnant women and mothers, as well as their children, through its accredited Houses to Homes program.
Executive Director Helen Emmerson shares the impact Catholic Care Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains and its Houses to Homes program. Image: Diocese of Parramatta/Maureen Rose Photography.
Houses to Homes provides safe, secure, transitional housing to women and their children aged between 16 and 25 who are homeless or at serious risk of homelessness. It also integrates holistic support for mother and child, including parenting, education, finance, counselling and other services.
Helen said the support for these young mothers is life-changing.
“The unique aspect of Houses to Homes is that we provide a safe, comfortable home with wrap-around support, rather than short term shelter,” Helen said.
“For many young women who have experienced trauma, violence, fear and instability, the security of a home for up to two years provides the stability they need to have hope for a better life,” she said.
Helen said the services provided by Catholic Care Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains go beyond tangible solutions: “We also provide parenting classes, cooking classes, administrative support, counselling, health and wellbeing guidance and more – even after longer term housing has been arranged.”
(L-R): Diocesan Development Fund executives Royce Brennan and Helen Steyne; Catholic Care WSBM’s Houses to Homes Coordinator Maree Hanna and Chief Executive Helen Emmerson; and event committee members Attila Lendvai and Ian Jordan. Image: Diocese of Parramatta/Maureen Rose Photography.
In addition to supporting Houses to Homes, a portion of the funds raised from the golf event will support the ‘MacKillop Scholarship’, a program supporting the education of impoverished students in the Philippines, as part of the Diocese’s ongoing outreach beyond its borders.
Special thanks to all attendees, sponsors, and organisers, including Richmond Club Ltd; Diocesan Development Fund; Grange Growing Solutions, Ebenezer; Unique Flooring, Seven Hills; Hawkesbury Accident Repair Centre; Oz Fashions; Parravans Caravan World, Windsor; Avan, St Marys; Richmond Fruit Mart; Lindt Chocolates Marsden Park; Nick Banham; PGA Pro RGC and Drummond Golf, Penrith.
This year’s annual Golf Day raised significant funds for Catholic Care Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains’ Houses to Homes program to support people experiencing homeless. Image: Diocese of Parramatta/Maureen Rose Photography.
Congratulations to the golf day winners: St Andrews College, Marayong, Team 1 (Stephen Kennaugh, Allan Ison, Bryon Brasler, Mark Bylsma); and runners up Bede Polding College Team 1 (Brendan Janaz, Jason Giggins, Mark Sluiter, Rob Somi).
Congratulations also to:
- World’s Best All Teacher: won by Marian College, Kenthurst, (Tim Grace, Rod Staples, Dave Van de Meer, Rod Lichaa)
- Best All Ladies Team, won by Marian College (Catherine Brown, Sandra Brown, Julie Cannon, Vickie Attard)
Former Patrician Brothers Blacktown educator Brendan McCann was recognised for his contribution to the Diocese of Parramatta in a ‘this is your life’ surprise with his family and five other Patrician Brothers attending: Aengus Kavanagh, Gerard Bulfin, Matthew Mahony, Peter Higgins and Stephen Sweetman.
Bishop Vincent Long with former Patrician Brothers Blacktown teacher, Brendan McCann. Image: Diocese of Parramatta/Maureen Rose Photography.
Since the first golf day was hosted by Parramatta’s former Bishop Bede Heather in 1987, more than $560k has been raised for a range of charities.
Event committee Chair Ian Jordan said the annual fundraiser plays a small part in changing the lives of others.
“Just like the Diocese’s patron Saint Mary MacKillop, we should never see a need without doing something about it.”
The next golf day event is scheduled to take place on 30 September 2025.
View the full gallery of images on our Flickr page.
