Community & Business
26 September, 2026
Couple receive award honour
HUSBAND and wife duo Chris and Simone Gillies were both recipients of the honourable St Stephen’s Medal this year, marking the first occasion the award has been given to more than one person.
HUSBAND and wife duo Chris and Simone Gillies were both recipients of the honourable St Stephen’s Medal this year, marking the first occasion the award has been given to more than one person.
The college gives out the medal annually to a staff or community member who has contributed longstanding service and commitment to the school, and this year it was facilities manager Chris Gillies and librarian Simone Gillies who were recognised.
“Long before the college opened its doors, Chris and Simone were dedicated advocates for the vision of Catholic secondary education in Mareeba,” school business manager Hadyn Flynn said when presenting the awards.
“Chris played a leadership role in the establishment of the college, serving on the steering committee and subsequent committees that worked tirelessly to secure support, approval, and resources for a Catholic secondary college in Mareeba.”
Following the opening of the college, Chris continued his service as the inaugural Parents and Friends (P&F) president, a member of the College Board, and later, chair of the College Board, providing nearly two decades of volunteer leadership.
“Alongside this commitment, Simone generously volunteered her time long before becoming an employee of the college,” Mr Flynn said.
“She established the college’s library, reestablished it after a fire damaged a number of resources and infrastructure, and then reestablished it once more when the permanent building was constructed.
“Together, Chris and Simone attended weekend working bees, contributed resources, and willingly gave of themselves to ensure that the small cohorts of students in the early years were supported, cared for, and able to flourish.
“Both of them have continued their contribution as valued members of staff, bringing the same dedication and spirit of service that had defined their volunteer involvement from the very beginning.”
Chris said he felt they were accepting the award on behalf of many people who had been involved in the development of the college.
“Back in 2000, there was a groundswell of support for the idea that our community needed a Catholic high school,” he said.
“I became part of a small group that eventually formed the original steering committee. Looking back, what stands out isn’t the role that any one person played. It was always about people working together.
“Today, we would like to ac-knowledge everyone who served on those early steering committees, the interim board, the Parents and Friends Association, the College Board, and the many other committees and working groups over the years.
“Without your commitment and countless hours of volunteer service, none of this would have been possible.”
The first St Stephen’s Medal was presented in 2021. Previous recipients include: 2021: Mr Gerry Simon (Foundation Principal), 2022: Mr Sam Bozzo (Groundsman), 2023: Mr David Anthony (chair of the steering committee and inaugural chair of the College Board), 2024: Mrs Ida Pinese (past Deputy Principal and Principal), 2025 (Father Robert Greenup OSA).
Additionally, secondary teacher Michelle Brammer and school officer Linda Bale both received a Docemus award through the Cairns Diocese as part of Catholic Education Week.
