Nominations now open for Guilford Young Medal

Over the past four years, 35 people have received the prestigious Guilford Young Medal in recognition of their significant contribution to the life and mission of the Catholic Church in Tasmania.

From unsung contributors to highflyers, the award acknowledges an extraordinary array of service, talent and generosity of spirit.

Now Catholics from around the state are urged to put forward nominations from the clergy, religious and lay communities for the 2025 Guilford Young Medal.

Past recipients have included: Fr Terry Rush, Fr Terry Yard and Fr Gerald Quinn, Sr Frances McShane and Sr Lorraine Groves (Missionary Sisters of Service), Sr Jill Dance (Sisters of St Joseph), Sr Majella Kelly (Presentation Sisters), Australian Catholic University lecturer Cathy Murrowood, of Hobart, and tireless volunteer Denise Talbot, of Perth.

Launceston’s long-term Church of the Apostles organist, Janet Hoare, received a medal in 2021 as did the national president of the St Vincent de Paul Society, Mark Gaetani, also of Launceston.

Sandy Bay-Taroona parishioner Patricia McKay, who washed and ironed church linen for more than 30 years, was recognised for her quiet but generous contributions in 2023. Volunteer Rossalyn Guidici, who entered nearly 200,000 names into an archdiocesan database she developed to store sacramental register details, was honoured in 2021.

Named after Archbishop Sir Guilford Young, who was Archbishop of Tasmania from 1955 to 1988, the medals have been awarded annually since 2021.

Executive Secretary for the Diocesan Awards Committee, Michael McKenna, said the awards honoured those who had made selfless contributions to the Church and provided shining examples for others to follow.

“The awards recognise the remarkable people in our parishes who are quietly contributing to work of the Church,” Mr McKenna said.

“We are keen to emphasise that is it not about length of service, but rather the value of the contribution, which may be something simple or unseen.”

The awards process is confidential. Nominations are accepted from individuals, Church agencies, commissions and other groups. The more information about the nominee the better, including home parish, details of service, and the name and contact details of a referee who can provide extra detail.

Nominations close at the end of July. To make a nomination:

or send a detailed letter to Michael McKenna, Archdiocese of Hobart, GPO Box 62, Hobart, Tasmania, 7001.

This year’s medalists will be announced in November.