More than 200 people gathered at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on March 1st for Jesuit Social Services’ Annual Dinner.
The evening was an opportunity for attendees to connect, enjoy a three-course meal and share in the organisation’s vision of building a just society.
The event has traditionally sought to deliver a thought-providing keynote on important social justice issues, give attendees a chance to network and mingle, while raising funds for the organisation’s work. But this year, fundraising took a back seat in favour of more time to connect and build relationships.
Following an acknowledgement of county and a powerful Grace delivered by Lisa Sully, the event’s flagship Frank Costigan QC address was delivered by Jesuit Social Services’ outgoing Chair Patricia Faulkner AO, in her last official engagement with the organisation she spent 17 years involved with, 16 of them as Chair.
Patricia spoke about her background working for the Department of Human Services and as Chair of the Australian Social Inclusion Board, and how she brought her long-standing interest in lifting people and communities from the margins to Jesuit Social Services.
“Working at the Department of Social Services and the Australian Social Inclusion Board gave me a helicopter view of deep disadvantage. Jesuit Social Services gave me a view of it up close,” she said.
“It is the unwavering courage, commitment and energy Jesuit Social Services has always had for working with people who are deeply disadvantaged, and working on unpopular causes, that has kept me here for 17 years.”
