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The Catholic Church has had little trouble finding its way onto the front pages of Australian newspapers in recent weeks and months, though it’s usually been — not unlike many other Western countries — to report on something related to the sexual abuse of minors. With two state inquiries and a national Royal Commission all at various stages, there has been plenty to write about that has tarnished the Catholic Church.
But imagine my surprise and joy when a positive story with a strong Catholic angle — albeit largely buried in the story — features prominently on the front page of my local newspaper, The Canberra Times.
Yesterday was the Queen’s Birthday holiday in most states and territories in Australia, which is odd, because the Queen’s birthday is actually in April, but I digress. On Queen’s Birthday, as with Australia Day, some outstanding individuals are honoured for a whole range of things. Sportspeople, military men and women, politicians, actors, teachers, business leaders, community volunteers — from any walk of life, great contributions are being recognised.
In this week’s list, Trish Mowbray was given one of the more prestigious awards; there are varying grades of recognition. So what has Trish done to deserve the honour? The Canberra Times explains:
Not many people have the compassion and commitment to adopt a child with special needs – much less four.
But for Queen’s Birthday honour recipient Trish Mowbray, her chosen career in disability has ended up being her life’s work.
Growing up in western Sydney, Mrs Mowbray first remembers the compassion of her aunt and uncle in caring for her cousin Sharon, who has cerebral palsy.
”I remember watching how they loved and looked after Sharon and how open they were to her friends and, while I was keen to consider a medical career, I went into special education teaching instead.” Continue reading
Sources
- Gavin Abraham in The Catholic Soapbox
- Image: The Canberra Times
Gavin Abraham, a journalist for more than a dozen years, has spent most of the last six years working in Catholic media.
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