Faith and Hope for the Future

Mount St Patrick College, Murwillumbah, student Amelie Ogg was selected as guest editor for a special issue of Australian Catholics magazine, commemorating the bicentenary of Catholic education in Australia. (19 August 2021)

Congratulations to Mount St Patrick College, Murwillumbah, student Amelie Ogg (pictured) for her selection as a guest editor for the special issue of the Australian Catholics magazine commemorating the bicentenary of Catholic education.

Amelie joined a team of guest editors comprising of 11 students from Catholic schools across Australia for a week-long internship program in May. 

The team worked online with Australian Catholics and were asked to brainstorm and plan articles around the theme of ‘Faith in the future’ to tie in with the bicentenary celebrations. Exploring where they found faith and hope for the future in the world around them.

The guest editors planned articles for the edition and had the chance to speak with Australian media professionals, such as Sydney Morning Herald (SMH) and 4 Corners investigative journalist Adele Ferguson, Associate editor and columnist for The Australian John Ferguson and political correspondent for The Age and SMH James Massola.

‘It was extremely interesting listening to various peoples’ experiences,’ Amelie said, adding, ‘But above all that, it was a rare chance to hang out with people our own age around the country and make new friends with similar interests.’

The special edition also included a special 22-page 200th-anniversary feature and the winning entries in the 2021 Young Voices Awards, which included articles, photos, videos, and podcasts from primary and secondary students.

Australian Catholics editor Michael McVeigh said he wanted to bring this year’s youth edition to celebrate the anniversary of Catholic education and highlight the creativity and passion that young people bring to the Catholic community through their schools.