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Our Projects

Learn more about our exciting projects including our imminent announcements of the 'Aspire Precinct' development which will be located adjacent to the Sacred Heart Cathedral – a project of great vision that will build Australia's first inter-faith precinct with benefits for the whole community.

 

Grand Organ Music Series

Concert 1

You are invited to an Organ Recital as part of the Grand Organ Master Series (GOMS) at Sacred Heart Cathedral on Sunday 1 May 2022 from 3-4pm by some talented young organists.

The concert features 3 gifted young Organists – Oscar Herrick, Maya Rowse and Geethan Pfeifer performing wonderful organ pieces including: The Great Gate of Kiev from Pictures at An Exhibition by Mussorgsky, Toccata by Dubois, Choral No. 3 in A Minor by Franck, Preludio from Organ Sonata No. 3 by Guilmant, Prélude modal by Langlais and Boëllmann’s famous Suite Gothique.

Admission at the door includes program • Adult $30 / Conc $25 / U18 FREE

Click here for more information


New Generation Quilt:

aspire quilt 350px

The Strathdale Quilters have prepared a replica of a Heritage Signature Quilt from 1895, as a fundraising activity for the Aspire Foundation. As per the original quilt, donor names are being incorporated into the new quilt. The quilt was officially unveiled to the public at the Sacred Heart Cathedral Bendigo on October 17, 2013, during a special event to thank the Bendigo Strathdale Quilters who restored the quilt and donated it to the Aspire Foundation.

Are You a Descendant?
 
We are on the hunt for descendants of the signatories on a Heritage Signature Quilt from 1895. The quilt features 270 signatures, including some of Bendigo’s most prominent figures of the time. The list of signatures is available on our Facebook page – Aspire Heritage Signature Quilt 1895 by clicking here  If you or someone you know is a relative of one of the signatories, we would love to hear from you. Contact us via Facebook ‘Aspire Heritage Signature Quilt 1895’ by clicking here.

Organ Scholarship:
 
Eileen was the Sacred Heart Cathedral’s organist from 1920-1931 and Choir Director from 1941-1948.

Her son, Noel Denton, expressed his mother’s great love of music and of the Sacred Heart Cathedral, and of the central role these played in her life.

The Denton family has assisted in funding the scholarship and expects to continue this endowment annually.

The scholarship awards the recipient weekly 45 minute lessons (35 per year), a $2000 stipend, $300 in additional costs and attendance at an annual conference. The scholarship will be reviewed on an annual basis.


Statue to honour Saint Mary MacKillop

mackillop statue reveal group1 350pxOn 17 October 2014, we unveiled our St Mary MacKillop statue, which is the Sandhurst Diocesan expression of gratitude for the life, achievements and legacy of St Mary of the Cross and her Josephite sisters. The statue formed Stage One of the precinct development.
 
The statue serves as a reminder of the deep connection she shares with our community connecting the thread of daily life, spirituality and purpose. We remember her incredible journey across the Diocese, establishing the first Josephine School in Victoria at Numurkah on January 12, 1890. She went onto establish sister schools in Eaglehawk, Pyramid Hill, Rushworth, Nagambie, Tallangatta and Corryong.
 
The two-metre-high sculpture is created from various materials including bronze, glass and light. Illuminated images of school children from the late 1880s appear at the back of the sculpture and glass shafts at each side reinforce the saintly quality of her work.
 
The masterpiece is the work of award-winning sculptor Jenny Steiner, of Melbourne.  “The commission is an incredible honour,” she said. “It’s probably the most important thing I’ve ever done - it’s a career defining project.”


 
If you would like to donate to the Aspire Foundation,  pdf  click here to download the Aspire Cultural & Charitable Foundation Donation form or call (03) 5441 2544.