World Humanitarian Day
World Humanitarian Day is a time to pay tribute to aid workers who risk their lives in humanitarian service, and to rally support for people affected by crises around the world. Find out more here.
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Saint Bernard of Clairvaux
St Bernard of Clairvaux is a Doctor of the Church and one of the founders of the Cistercian order. He earned a reputation for being able to settle disputes, and was called to various countries to give advice on affairs of Church and of government. Find out more here.
1943: Election of the first women members of the Australian Parliament: Enid Lyons (House of Representatives) and Dorothy Tangney (Senate)
At the Federal election of 1943, Enid Lyons (united Australia Party) and Dorothy Tangney (Australian Labour Party) became the first women to be elected to the Australian parliament. A video from the National Museum of Australia on this page tells their story. Today much remains to be done to counter ongoing resistance to hearing women's… Read More »1943: Election of the first women members of the Australian Parliament: Enid Lyons (House of Representatives) and Dorothy Tangney (Senate)
The Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary
The feast of the Queenship of Mary was instituted by Pope Pius XII in 1954. Find out more here.
International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief
Our liturgical calendar commemorates a number of Saints who were victims of acts of violence based on religion or belief. Around the world today many people of a variety of faiths, including Christians, continue to suffer acts of violence on account of their beliefs. Action: Find out more about the United Nations' observance of the… Read More »International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief
1996: Death of Margaret Tucker, Indigenous Australian activist and writer
Margaret (Lilardia) Tucker (1904 - 1996) was one of Australia's earliest and most notable Aboriginal activists. The Indigenous Australia website explains: "Her Aboriginal name, Lilardia, means flower but she was known affectionately to black and white alike as 'Auntie Marge'. She was born at Warrangasda, an Aboriginal reserve near Darlington Point on the Murrumbidgee River… Read More »1996: Death of Margaret Tucker, Indigenous Australian activist and writer
1966: Gurindji strike or Wave Hill Walk-off, beginning the longest strike in Australian history
On this day in 1966 the Gurindji walked off Wave Hill Station. What began as a strike over the refusal of Vestey Brothers to pay Aboriginal workers was to become a pivotal event in the struggle for the legal recognition of Aboriginal land rights. As the National Museum of Australia explains: "The Gurindji strike was… Read More »1966: Gurindji strike or Wave Hill Walk-off, beginning the longest strike in Australian history
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2001: Rescue of 433 asylum seekers by MV Tampa
Today we remember the humanitarian action of Captain Arne Rinnan and the need to work towards more just and compassionate asylum policy in Australia. In August 2001 a small Indonesian fishing boat carrying asylum seekers became stranded in international waters approximately 140 kilometres from Christmas Island. The 433 asylum seekers were rescued by the Norwegian… Read More »2001: Rescue of 433 asylum seekers by MV Tampa
1999: Death of Dom Helder Camara
"When I give food to the poor, they call me a saint. When I ask why they are poor, they call me a communist."Dome Helder Camara Dom Helder Camara (1909 - 199) was a Brazilian archbishop from 1964-1985. Richard Rohr explains that "under his guidance, the Catholic Church in Brazil criticized the country’s military dictatorships… Read More »1999: Death of Dom Helder Camara
Saint Augustine of Hippo
"You have made us and directed us toward yourself and our heart is restless until we rest in you."Confessions 1.1 Saint Augustine was one of the great founders of monasticism in the Western Church. The Augustinians in Australia describe his spirituality in the following way: "In Augustinian spirituality love for God is experienced as love… Read More »Saint Augustine of Hippo