Supporting Tomorrow’s Teachers

February 5, 2026

Catholic Education Diocese of Cairns is proud to continue investing in the future of teachers in our region with our latest cohort of Education Scholarship recipients. These scholarships play a vital role in supporting aspiring teachers and retaining them in our schools across the Cairns Diocese.

Recipients of the 2026 Scholarships were celebrated at a Scholarship event with key stakeholders from JCU, CQU and Catholic Education Diocese of Cairns as well as special guests Bishop Joe and Father Sabu.    

2026 Scholarship Recipients

This year, we were delighted to award six Education Scholarships:

Year 12 Scholarship Recipients:

Alexis Onaindia (CQU, BEd, Primary), Good Counsel College, Innisfail
Meenakshi Riber (JCU, BEd, Primary), Mount St Bernard, Herberton
Lillian Fysh (JCU, BEd, Secondary), St Monica’s College, Cairns
Amelia O’Brien (JCU, BEd, Primary), St Mary’s Catholic College, Woree
Ella Weston (CQU, BEd, Primary), MacKillop Catholic College, Mount Peter

Final Year Scholarship Recipients:

Hannah Sultana (JCU BEd, Primary)

The Student Panel offered insights into their unique experiences as Scholarship recipients.

Inspiring Voices

At this year’s scholarship celebration, guests had the opportunity to hear from four scholarship students on a live panel. Each shared their unique journey from starting their degree to completing their studies and working in Catholic schools. Their stories, challenges and successes offered insight and encouragement to the next generation of teachers in the room.

Student Panel: facilitated by School Performance Team

Olivia Parise, 2022 Year 12 Scholarship recipient
Ella Weston, 2026 Year 12 Scholarship recipien
Jessica Proctor, 2023 Career Change Scholarship recipient
Martin Weiss, 2025 Year 12 Scholarship recipient

Guests were also inspired by a speech from Good Counsel College, Innisfail Principal Paul Melloy, who reflected on his extensive 40-year career in education. Paul shared open and honest reflections and encouraged students to seek out their happy place: where passion, purpose and service meet.

Good Counsel College, Innisfail Principal Paul Melloy discussed passion, purpose

Our Scholarship Impact to Date

With the addition of six new scholarship recipients, Catholic Education has proudly awarded 70 scholarships to date:

34 Final Year Scholarships (with 25 now employed across our schools and one currently on placement)
29 Full Year Scholarships (three have graduated and are beginning their two‑year return‑of‑service commitment. The remainder continue their studies)
Seven Career Change Scholarships (with six now working in our schools and one still completing their studies)

Follow the links to find out more about Catholic Education Diocese of Cairns Scholarships and Employment Opportunities in the Diocese. 