Community Action Network

MSM has a network of seven vibrant service groups that form our Community Action Network (CAN).These include:

1. Missions of St Vincent – working closely with our local St Vincent de Paul Conferences in Ashgrove and the Gap, Missions of St Vincent seeks to provide material support to vulnerable members of our community, while also educating about justice issues.
2. Social Justice Council – concerned with the promotion of the human rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international human rights standards, and the core principles of Dignity of the Human Person that underpins our Catholic faith. Its aim is to raise awareness and take action focusing on building a community in which every person enjoys justice, freedom, opportunity and respect. An area of particular focus is the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians and Refugees, exemplified through our ongoing partnerships with the Teralba Park Stolen Generations Support Group, The Romero Centre and Multicultural Australia.
3. Environment Group – established in 2004 in response to community concern about human impact on the natural environment. Catholic social teaching on “Stewardship of Creation” underlies the guiding principles of the group. Their major projects include overseeing the College’s recycling program “Containers for Change” where more than 18000 containers were recycled last year, the Stationery Aid Drive, where surplus office supplies are donated to children in need and a new partnership with the Environment Group at Marist College Ashgrove.
4. Interact – the MSM Interact Club is closely affiliated with The Gap/Ashgrove Rotary Club. The aim of the Interact Club is to enable members to carry out “Hands On” service projects, help those less fortunate in our world, to make international connections and to develop leadership skills. Major projects for this year included “Washer Bunnies and Easter Egg” Fundraiser, financial support for the “Zephyr International” fundraising project and various fundraising initiatives for College supported charities.
5. Sisters Empowering Sisters – established in 2018 this initiative aims to educate fellow students on gender inequality faced by many around the world in hope that they are better equipped to contribute and create an empowering, equal world for all. One of the major projects SES coordinates each year is the “Share the Dignity” drive, collecting menstural care items for those experiencing period poverty.
6. MSM Cares – established this year to allow our Year 5 and 6 students an opportunity to serve in age-appropriate ways. MSM Cares takes on term-long projects, including Project Compassion (Term 1), SVDP Winter Appeal (Term 2), the Season of Creation (Term 3) and Catholic Mission’s Socktober (Term 4).
7. Rising Sisters of Culture – established in 2026, this is a group for our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Students. The Rising Sisters of Culture meet regularly to yarn, learn about culture, plan significant events (e.g. NAIDOC Week and National Sorry Day) and to advise the College on culturally safe practices.