History

A Collated History 1984–2026

The Australasian Mercy Secondary School Association (AMSSA) emerged from a shared commitment among Mercy educators across Australia and New Zealand to preserve and strengthen the Mercy tradition in secondary education. Since its beginnings in 1984, the Association has grown into a significant network linking Mercy schools across Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and Oceania, fostering collaboration, formation, leadership and advocacy grounded in the charism of Catherine McAuley.

From its earliest conferences through to the contemporary network of more than seventy schools, the Association has consistently sought to deepen Mercy spirituality and ethos through professional learning, student formation, collegiality and shared mission.

Foundations and Early Development: 1984–1994

The origins of the Association can be traced to 1984, when Mercy secondary educators first gathered formally to explore ways of strengthening collaboration among Mercy schools. This inaugural movement reflected a growing awareness that Mercy education needed a coordinated forum where educators could share ideas, resources and a common understanding of Mercy identity in contemporary Catholic education.

Throughout the 1980s the Association developed primarily through biennial national conferences. These gatherings became important opportunities for Mercy educators to discuss the changing educational landscape while remaining grounded in the vision of Catherine McAuley.

By 1986 and 1988, the Association had established itself as an emerging Australasian network of Mercy secondary schools. The conferences of these years strengthened relationships between schools and expanded participation across Australian states and New Zealand.

A major milestone came in 1990 when the Association increasingly focused on Mercy spirituality and leadership formation as central dimensions of Mercy education. The conferences highlighted the importance of ensuring that the Mercy tradition remained vibrant within contemporary school communities.

In 1992, the Association continued to broaden its reach and influence. The growing involvement of educators from across Australia and New Zealand demonstrated a strong commitment to collaborative Mercy education and laid the foundation for a more formal governance structure.

The 1994 Conference in Perth, held during celebrations marking the sesquicentenary of the arrival of the Sisters of Mercy in Australia, became a defining moment in the Association’s development. The conference strongly connected Mercy educational identity with the story of the founding Sisters and the continuing mission of Mercy in Australasia.

Key contributors during this formative period included:

Sr Maureen McGuirk (Monte sant Angelo) was the key person in the establishment of the Association from the first day.

Maureen was the foundation President, Anne O’Farrell (vice-president), Sr Frances Baker (Melbourne), Sr Marie Melville (Townsville) were committee members. It was this committee that designed the original constitution

Sr Maureen McGuirk rsm
Sr Ann O’Farrell rsm
Sr Frances Baker rsm
Sr Marie Melville rsm
Sr Ailsa McKinnon rsm
Sr Shirley Garland rsm
Eugene Lynch
Yvonne McKernan
Ross Richardson
Mary Neven rsm
Adele Howard rsm
Helen Marie Burns rsm (A keynote speaker from USA)
Sheila Carney rsm (A keynote speaker from USA)

These educators and Mercy leaders helped shape the vision, ethos and organisational direction of the Association during its formative years.

The First Formal Executive: 1994

The 1994 Conference also saw the establishment of the Association’s first clearly documented Executive Committee, providing a more formal structure for leadership and governance.

The first AMSSA Executive Committee comprised:

Sr Ailsa McKinnon rsm (NSW) – President
Sr Ann O’Farrell rsm (Queensland)
Sr Shirley Garland rsm (NSW)
Eugene Lynch (Victoria)
Yvonne McKernan (South Australia)
Ross Richardson (Western Australia)
Mary Neven rsm (New Zealand)

This Executive represented the increasingly national and international character of the Association and established the governance model that would continue to evolve in subsequent decades.

Consolidation and Expansion: 1996–2006

The late 1990s and early 2000s marked a period of consolidation and expansion. Conferences increasingly explored the challenges facing Catholic and Mercy education in a rapidly changing social and educational environment.

The 1996 Auckland Conference highlighted themes of Mercy identity in a post-modern world and led to the decision to establish an Association website, recognising the importance of communication and resource sharing across Mercy schools.

Leaders during this period included:

Sr Ailsa McKinnon rsm
Hilary Johnston-Croke
Eugene Lynch
Lorraine McArthur
Barrie Harvie
Yvonne McKernan

The Adelaide Conference in 2000 further deepened the Association’s engagement with Mercy spirituality, justice and outreach. Presenters such as Frank Brennan sj and Adele Howard rsm challenged delegates to connect Mercy education with contemporary social justice concerns.

By 2002 and 2004, the Association had become an established professional and spiritual network for Mercy educators. Conferences addressed leadership, educational policy, asylum seekers, spirituality and the challenge of maintaining Mercy identity within evolving governance structures.

Key leaders during this era included:

Hilary Johnston-Croke
Lee-Anne Perry
Denise O’Meara
Christine Simpson
Mary Moloney rsm
Kitty Guerin
Jane Holloway
Margaret Lee

The 2004 Melbourne Conference led to the important decision to appoint an Executive Officer for the Association, recognising the growing complexity and scale of AMSSA’s work.

In 2006, the Association strengthened international connections through engagement with Mercy Secondary Education in the Americas (MSEA). AMSSA also hosted specialist formation conferences focused on pastoral care and the Mercy approach to student wellbeing.

Mercy in Action and Student Formation: 2007–2014

The Brisbane Conference in 2007, themed “Mercy in Action”, reflected a growing awareness of global Mercy issues and the importance of justice, technology and contemporary spirituality in Mercy education.

Leaders such as Jane Holloway, Kathleen Deady, Kitty Guerin, Mary Moloney rsm, Kathleen Park and Christine Simpson guided the Association through this period.

A major turning point occurred in 2008 during World Youth Day in Sydney, when the “Mercy at the Heart” gathering brought together more than 900 students and staff from Mercy schools. The success of this event inspired the inclusion of students in future AMSSA conferences.

The 2009 Perth Conference became the first to include a formal parallel student conference. This innovation significantly broadened the Association’s focus from staff formation alone to student leadership and student engagement in Mercy identity.

Key figures during this development included:

Ann-Marie Herd
Rosa Speranza
Sheena Barber
Deborah Brosnahan
Gilda Pussich
Julie Ryan
Paddy McEvoy

The Auckland Conference in 2011 further strengthened the international dimension of AMSSA. Delegates explored the history of Mercy among Māori and Pacific communities, while student delegates participated in leadership workshops and collaborative reflection.

The period from 2013 to 2014 saw the successful trial of standalone Mercy student conferences. Hosted initially in Victoria, these conferences demonstrated the growing importance of student voice within the Mercy educational tradition.

Renewal, Networks and Governance: 2015–2019

The 2015 Adelaide Conference, “Making Mercy a Verb”, celebrated twenty-five years since the first AMSSA Staff Conference organised by Sr Anne Farrell rsm, Sr Maureen McGuirk rsm and Sr Frances Baker rsm.

During this period the Association introduced:

revised membership funding structures
a redeveloped website
a Mercy Principals Network
increased collaboration between schools
expanded resource sharing

Executive leadership during these years included:

Julie Ryan
Gilda Pussich
Paddy McEvoy
Paulina Skerman
Rosa Speranza
Deborah Brosnahan
Stephen Walsh
Brian Turner
Catherine O’Kane
Nicole Christensen
Kellie Osborn

The 2017 Melbourne Staff Conference, “Sustaining the Spirit of Mercy”, reinforced the Association’s commitment to Mercy identity formation and collaborative leadership.

In 2019, Monte Sant’ Angelo Mercy College in Sydney hosted the AMSSA Staff Conference themed “Speaking the Silence”. More than 250 delegates attended from Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, the United States and South Africa.

The conference featured internationally respected speakers including:

Sr Angela Reed rsm
Mary McAleese, former President of Ireland
Phil Glendenning AM

The conference challenged delegates to consider Mercy education as a force for reframing, justice and boundary-breaking leadership.

Pandemic, Recovery and Renewal: 2020–2024

The COVID-19 pandemic significantly disrupted the Association’s regular conference cycle. Planned staff and student conferences for 2020 were postponed, and AMSSA adapted by conducting Executive meetings online.

Leadership during this challenging period included:

Stephen Walsh (President)
Brian Turner
Catherine O’Kane
Nicole Christensen
Kellie Osborn
Kerrie Fraser
Christine Allen

Despite the disruption, the Association maintained strong collaboration among member schools and continued planning for future formation opportunities.

By 2022 and 2023, AMSSA had resumed its major conferences. The Brisbane Staff Conference, “Mercy in liminal times”, symbolised renewal after the years of lockdowns and uncertainty.

The Association also began reviewing its Constitution and Statement of Purpose in response to changing governance structures across Mercy schools and congregations.

In 2024, Catherine O’Kane served as President, supported by:

Kellie Osborn
Philip Morison
Nicole Christensen
Dan McMahon
Jennifer Oaten
Sarah Dwan

At the conclusion of 2023, Kitty Guerin completed 10 years of dedicated service to the Association as its Executive Officer. The Executive in 2024 appointed Stephen Walsh as the new Executive Officer. A former Principal of Our Lady of Mercy College Parramatta and former AMSSA President, Stephen Walsh played a central role in re-establishing communication networks, newsletters and conference planning following the pandemic years.

AMSSA Today and the Future: 2025–2026

By 2025 and 2026, AMSSA had grown into a strong trans-Tasman network of Mercy schools committed to shared formation, leadership and collaboration.

The 2026 Executive Team included:

Philip Morison – President
Jessica Wade
Jason Pacey
Gaye McManus
Andrew Baker
Jennifer Oaten
Sarah Dwan
Stephen Walsh – Executive Officer

During this period the Association focused on:

constitutional review and governance renewal
expansion of Mercy leadership networks
online student engagement initiatives
increased participation by member schools
redevelopment of the AMSSA website
enhanced communication and resource sharing

The planned 2026 online student conference represented a significant innovation, extending participation opportunities for Mercy students across Australia and New Zealand.

Continuing the Mercy Mission

Across more than four decades, the Australasian Mercy Secondary School Association has evolved from a small gathering of Mercy educators into a vibrant international network committed to the charism of Mercy in secondary education.

The Association’s history reflects the dedication of generations of principals, teachers, religious sisters and educational leaders who have worked collaboratively to sustain the Mercy tradition in changing times.

At its heart, AMSSA continues the vision of Catherine McAuley: fostering communities of compassion, justice, hospitality and service, while supporting Mercy educators and students to respond courageously to the needs of the contemporary world.

Sources: Australasian Mercy Secondary School Association, “Our History” and “Overview” pages. (amssa.mercy.org.au), Sr Anne Farrell rsm