Prayer breakfast provides boost for school chaplaincy programs

Redland City Council’s 22nd annual Mayoral Chaplaincy Prayer Breakfast has raised more than $17,500 for chaplaincy support programs in state schools across Redlands Coast.

Mayor Jos Mitchell said the funding would be put towards programs that provided social, emotional and pastoral support for local students, families and school staff.

“The money raised at the prayer breakfast benefits more than 15,000 state school students across Redlands Coast each year,” the Mayor said.

“This year’s community contribution of more than $17,500 brings the total amount raised at these breakfasts over the past decade to in excess of $235,000, which is an amazing effort.

“More than 230 people attended this week’s breakfast, showing the passion our community has for giving back to our state schools and ensuring chaplaincy services can be maintained into the future.

“The support provided through these programs includes mentoring, role modelling and pastoral care aimed at enhancing wellbeing in schools and improving educational outcomes.

“This support is also offered to other members of our Redlands Coast school communities such as families and staff.

“It is a universal program that continues to make a difference thanks in no small part to the many prayer breakfast supporters who give generously each year.”

The Pastor Glen Gray Award recipient for 2024 was Emily Jewell from Cleveland State School and Wellington Point State School.

The award is presented at the prayer breakfast each year to recognise a local chaplain who has demonstrated significant support to students, parents and school staff.

Emily is now in her fifth year of school chaplaincy and is a valued member of her school communities, providing a listening ear and caring presence for students experiencing difficulties.

Her support work also includes delivering care hampers to less fortunate members of the community and providing coffee to school staff each week.

“The dedication and care Emily has shown to students and staff at Cleveland State School and Wellington Point State School, as well as the broader community, is to be admired,” the Mayor said.

“Emily is known for her calming presence and for bringing joy to those around her.

“She is a very deserving recipient of this year’s Pastor Glen Gray Award and I thank her for her valuable contribution to our community and our young people.

“I extend my thanks to all Redlands Coast chaplains for going above and beyond to ensure our school communities are well supported.”

The Mayor also thanked the event sponsors and supporters, which included:

Renaissance Retirement Living (Gold Sponsor)Local Building Group (Silver Sponsor)Alex Gow Funerals (Bronze Sponsor)Christian Business Network (Bronze Sponsor)Darren Cole – Estate Agent (Bronze Sponsor)Mount Cotton Landscaping (Bronze Sponsor)The Cage Youth Foundation (Bronze Sponsor)Vision Christian Media (Bronze Sponsor)CPC Production Services (event supporter)McGuires’ Hotels Group (event supporter)Good News Enterprises (event supporter)

Attendees at the breakfast included school chaplains, school and church leaders, government representatives, businesspeople, and community members.

The guest speaker was Phil Smith, who is a community pastor, author and former news reporter and Royal Australian Air Force officer.

The breakfast was held at the Alexandra Hills Hotel and Conference Centre on Wednesday 30 October.

Redland City Council provides a suite of services to 166,873 residents and more than 63,000 residential households across Redlands Coast. Our naturally wonderful city on Quandamooka Country is home to more than 335 kilometres of coastline, six island communities and 12 mainland suburbs.