DMFEN Staff Conference 2026

Last month, the 2026 DMFEN Staff Conference was hosted by Mazenod College Vic, held at the Metropole Conference Centre on Brunswick St. The location placed attendees within easy reach of some of Melbourne's richest heritage sites — St Patrick's Cathedral, the Mary MacKillop Chapel at ACU, the garden marking Mary MacKillop's birthplace at St Vincent's Private Hospital, and the Mary MacKillop Museum on Albert St. Staff were also introduced to the local Aboriginal and community heritage of the area through the Fitzroy Aboriginal Heritage Walking Trail and the Smith Street Heritage Walk.

These experiences complemented the heart of the conference: keynote addresses from Fr Michael Twigg, Fr Harry Dyer and Fr Joe Antony on the Charism of St Eugene, the History of the Oblates in Australia, and the contemporary issues and priorities St Eugene would likely be addressing if he were alive today.

Through staff presentations, a clear picture emerged: each college shares a deliberately built culture rooted in a common charism carried by the Oblates and the wider De Mazenod Family. At the same time, real differences exist — boarding communities, Prep to Year 12 co-ed campuses, Saturday Sport, and other operational realities shape each college's dynamics differently. What remains constant across all of them is a focus on service and protecting the most vulnerable in the broader community.

This year, staff presented examples of their own programmes and ran workshops so colleagues could ask questions and exchange ideas. Topics covered included retreat programmes, Iona's FIRES policy, the Time and Space Programme at Mazenod Vic, strategic use of data to optimise wellbeing responses, the "Mazenod For…" community outreach initiative in the West, and approaches to community building that keep student voice central, as seen at St Eugene College.

Each year, staff conference is as much about connection as content — a chance to share experiences and enjoy each other's company. We're fortunate that College Rectors and Principals continue to prioritise this gathering and encourage staff to immerse themselves fully in it. Thank you to everyone who attended and contributed so generously throughout the programme.

Special thanks to Dr Paul Shannon and the team at Mazenod College, who hosted the event and welcomed guests to the College on the Friday, giving attendees the chance to see staff and students in action and build further connections.