In a message to the Good Samaritan Foundation, its Patron, Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC KC, Governor of New South Wales, said she was constantly inspired by the generosity of the Good Sams community.
The Foundation was established in 1999 to provide ongoing finances and resources to support the ministries established by the Sisters of the Good Samaritan.
The Hon Margaret Beazley AC KC, Governor of NSW.
“I take this moment at the beginning of the New Year to thank all donors, supporters and volunteers for the lifechanging support you help provide to vulnerable women and children across Australia, the Philippines, Timor Leste and Kiribati,” Her Excellency said.
“Because of you, lives are being rebuilt with dignity and hope, children are staying in school, mothers are finding safety and families are gaining the strength to plan a more secure future.
“Your compassion in helping deliver regular meals and providing safe shelter during times of family violence and climate emergencies sustains those who are or who become vulnerable through circumstances beyond their control.
“I am sure that your invaluable commitment will continue in the year ahead, creating real and lasting change.
“Wishing you every blessing for a hopeful and peace-filled New Year.”
The Foundation’s Executive Director, Sonya Mears, said, “As we come to the end of the year, I’m reminded once again of the power of the Good Sams community.
“This year we celebrated students graduating, women securing new work skills, families having access to the food they need to stay energised and healthy, and children beginning their learning journeys with optimism and confidence.”
Sonya said that across all of the Foundation’s programs, there was a continued emphasis on strengthening the pathways that lead to safety, education, nourishment and independence.
“The Good Sams Foundation is ending the year with gratitude, a belief in the transformative power of kindness and a resolve to bring compassion into action,” she said.
To celebrate the joy of Christmas, students at the Good Samaritan Kinder School in Bacolod, the Philippines, were recorded singing Away in a Manager.
Further reading
Reflecting on a year of challenges and celebrations by Debra Vermeer in The Good Oil, December 2025.
