For nearly three decades, Maria Minto Cahill and Professor Desmond Cahill have supported MacKillop, inspired by its practical, compassionate work with children, families, and communities.
For Maria Minto Cahill, supporting MacKillop didn’t begin with a single decision, it grew from a relationship spanning decades. In 1997, as MacKillop was finding its feet, Maria was invited to help guide the organisation, and she responded by serving on MacKillop’s first board of directors. Since then, she has watched it grow into the organisation it is today, supporting thousands of children and families.
What has stayed constant for Maria and her husband, Professor Desmond Cahill, is the sense that the work is both practical and deeply human. They speak of foster carers opening their homes to children who need stability, programs shaped by an understanding of trauma, the Heritage team connecting families to their history, and the small but significant moments where a young person begins to feel safe again.
They’ve also seen MacKillop adapt; working with First Nations communities, becoming increasingly inclusive with its programs, and investing in research and bold new approaches to care, reflective of St Mary MacKillop’s bravery and vision.
For the Cahills, giving is less about charity and more about trust: a belief that steady, long-term support can help create the kind of communities where every child has the chance to belong and to thrive.