SAC Old Scholars
SAC Memorabilia 2024,
St Aloysius College Archives
Madeleine Kelly
Madeleine Kelly has put her Mercy values into action through her work at the School of St Jude in Tanzania.
Madeleine Kelly attended St Aloysius College from 2007 to 2011. During her time at SAC, her passion for social justice was evident. She took part in the 2009 Argentina Mission and in 2010 was a member of the Pipalyatjara trip. There were few aspects of school life that Madeleine was not involved in. She took part in debating, choir, public speaking, the Duke of Edinburgh Awards, netball and school productions.
Awards achieved at SAC
- 2007 – National Finalist – Legacy Junior Public Speaking Award
- 2008-2010 – Debater of the Year
- 2009 – National Runner Up – Legacy Junior Public Speaking Award
- 2010, 2011 – SAC Social Justice Leader
- 2010 – Vinnie’s Social Justice Award
- 2010 – Order of Australia Student Citizenship Award recipient for her outstanding contribution to promoting social justice both within the SAC community and in wider society
- 2011 – Catherine McAuley Award recipient
While studying for her Bachelor degree in English/Anthropology/History at Adelaide University, Maddie was the Social Justice Coordinator at SAC from 2014 to 2017. In 2016 she presented a TEDx Talk titled ‘Kintsukuroi: finding beauty in a broken world‘.
In 2017, Maddie’s passion for social justice took her to The School of St Jude in Tanzania, where she worked as the Communications and Editorial Specialist as well as managing the growing Alumni department. St Jude’s offers a free, high-quality education for students who, due to poverty and their social circumstances, would otherwise not be able to complete their schooling. In 2018, she was joined by another SAC graduate, Eithne Johnston (Class of 2009).
In 2022, Maddie returned to SAC as Communications Officer and Justice and Mercy (JAM) Coordinator. In 2023 she published a book ‘The school that hope built’, which follows the journey of Australian woman, Gemma Sisia, the founder of the The School of St Jude in Tanzania.
Maddie is carrying on the Mercy values instilled in her at St Aloysius College and is making a difference to the lives of others. She is currently working at SAC as Communications Officer and Old Scholars Coordinator.
By Carol Grantham
St Aloysius College Archivist, 2026