27 March 2024, CANBERRA - In observance of the National Women’s Month, Philippine Ambassador to Australia H.E. Ma. Hellen B. De La Vega visited MacKillop House for Homeless Women in Lyneham, Australian Capital Territory (ACT) on 26 March 2024. Together with Acting High Commissioner for Nigeria Mrs. Mercy Osebhon Clement, she received a briefing from Sr. Noelene Quinane rsj on the work of Mackillop House.

MacKillop House, named after St. Mary MacKillop, was a former convent opened in 1969 for the Sisters of Saint Joseph. The House was later utilized as university accommodation before being transformed in June 2020 into a refuge for homeless women. Most of its residents are victims of domestic violence.

Ambassador De La Vega provided Sr. Noelene with a copy of the book, “Today’s Filipino-Australian Women”, published by the Philippine Embassy, for the MacKillop House library. Ambassador De La Vega hoped that the book, which tells the stories of Filipino-Australian women who thrived in different fields in spite of challenges, will be a source of hope and encouragement to the residents of MacKillop House.

Mackillop House is managed by Marymead CatholicCare Canberra and Goulburn, the social services agency of the Catholic Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn. END