Short Biography of Sr Denise Hinton RSM

Denise Mary Hinton, with her twin sister Beverley, was born in the Mater Hospital, Mackay, on 7 May 1943, to Ann and Harold Hinton (both deceased). Denise had an older brother Des (deceased) and a younger sister, Cecily. Denise was educated at St Francis Xavier Primary School, West Mackay and St Patrick’s Convent High School where she completed Year 12.

After working for several years in the office of her father’s business, Hinton’s Fruit Exchange, Denise entered the Rockhampton Sisters of Mercy on 10 April 1966, was received on 22 November 1966 and professed on 21 December 1968. Following her profession, Denise went to Sydney to attend the Xavier Institute of Formation and the North Sydney Catholic Teachers’ College to train as a primary school teacher.

From 1971 to 1987, Denise taught in the following diocesan primary schools:

 1971-1972                            St Mary’s School, South Bundaberg

1973-1974                            St John’s School, Walkerston

1975-1976                            St Anne’s School, Sarina

1976 (Aug-Dec)                     Our Lady’s School, Rockhampton

1977                                       St Joseph’s School, Biloela

1978                                       St Joseph’s School, Barcaldine

1979-1981                            St Mary’s School, North Rockhampton

1982-1985                            St Joseph’s School, Barcaldine

1987                                       St Anne’s School, Sarina

From 1988 to 2005, Denise was involved in St Mary’s School, in various roles: teaching, part-time pastoral care, religious education coordinator and school board member/chaplain. During these years, Denise recognized the need for a ministry to refugees and migrants. With the support of the Sisters of Mercy, Denise dedicated her time and gifts to many families from various ethnic backgrounds and she is well-known and respected within the Mackay community for her commitment to this work. Denise has made life-long friends with many of these families who truly valued the hospitality, compassion and support they received from Denise as they fled from violent situations, seeking a better life for themselves and their families.

From 1996-2001, Denise was a member of the Rockhampton Sisters of Mercy Leadership Team.

In December 2005, Denise’s ministry changed direction and she went to the Mackay Mater Hospital in the role of Pastoral Care and Mission Coordinator, a full-time position she held until 30 June 2011. In 2014, Denise assisted the Pastoral Care Team at the Mackay Mater in a part-time capacity for four months.

From 2013-2016, Denise was a member of the ISMAPNG Resource Group for Refugees and Asylum Seekers. In 2013 and again in 2014, Denise spent three months assisting refugees and asylum seekers at the Curtin Detention Centre WA. Denise maintains pastoral contact with many of the men she met during her time at Curtin.

Denise has been a vital member of St Mary’s Parish and responds to many needs eg various liturgical ministries, taking communion to the housebound, volunteering at Stella Maris Seafarer’s Centre, a member of the Adult Faith Committee and Parish Liturgy Team, presenting inservice on Catherine McAuley and/or Detention Centres to local Catholic schools, church and community groups, namely Catholic Women’s League, St Vincent de Paul Society, Rotary and Probus Clubs.

Sr Colleen and Sr Denise

Short Biography of Se Colleen Livermore RSM

Colleen was born in Albury on 2 September 1943, the fourth of ten children, to Molly and Jack Livermore. Colleen was the fourth daughter and she has six younger brothers. Two of Colleen’s sisters, Berice and Gwenda, entered the Sisters of Mercy also.

 Colleen was educated by the Sisters of Mercy in Albury and then worked in an accountant’s office. During this time, Colleen was very involved with the YCW and greatly influenced by the ideals of its founder, Cardinal Cardijn, and the formation that such a movement offered to its members.

 Colleen entered the novitiate of the Goulburn Congregation of the Sisters of Mercy on 25 April 1966.  After first Profession on 2 January 1969, Colleen went to Sydney to attend the Xavier Institute of Formation and the North Sydney Teachers’ College where she trained as a secondary school teacher. In the following years, Colleen taught in Catholic secondary schools at Albury, Cootamundra and Griffith (sometimes in the role of principal) before joining other Australian Sisters of Mercy in Pakistan in the early 1990s. For sixteen years, Colleen was the principal of a girls’ secondary school in Peshawar.

On returning to Australia, Colleen worked with the older Sisters who were residents at Mt St Joseph’s, an aged-care facility in Young NSW.

In February 2007, Colleen responded to an invitation from Bishop Brian Heenan, then Bishop of Rockhampton Diocese, and came to Blackwater to be the co-pastoral leader of the parish with Sr Carmel Boyle pbvm. Since her arrival in Blackwater, Colleen has involved herself, not only within the Catholic community, but she has become a very respected member of the local Blackwater community.

Firstly, Colleen has responsibility for the administration duties of the parish, and with Sr Carmel, she conducts the catechetical and sacramental programs with the children, visits the local state school weekly as well as weekly visits to Bluff and Dingo State Schools. Over 24 weeks of each year, for two hours on a Sunday afternoon, Colleen conducts ‘Sunday school’ for the Catholic children while Sr Carmel instructs the parents.

Colleen has extensive pastoral outreach within the Blackwater community. On three mornings a week, Colleen collects fresh food from the local Woolworths supermarket, takes the food to the town’s Community Centre where the food is put out for needy people to take. Because of this networking, Colleen knows many of the local people; they place great trust in her ‘down to earth’ presence as they share their worries, troubles and concerns with her.

Colleen involves herself in town affairs and as part of the Australia Day celebrations, she was selected as the 2019 Blackwater Citizen of the Year. Colleen is a valued member of various local committees, including the local hospital committee, and often is asked to be the Treasurer because of her administrative skills.

Together with Carmel, Colleen gives witness to the depth of her own personal faith, nurtured by prayer and fidelity to her commitment to her religious profession.