Australians today can all welcome the decision by the Vatican to canonise Blessed Mary MacKillop, who will be Australia's first saint.
This is a deeply significant announcement for the five million Australians of Catholic faith, and for all Australians whether of Catholic faith or not.
Mary MacKillop is an extraordinary figure in Australian history; a pioneering woman who dedicated her life to the poor and to advancing the cause of social justice in Australia.
She gave many children the opportunity of an education and worked for the homeless, the destitute and the marginalised. In a time when many children grew up in poverty and had little chance of gaining access to a decent education, Mary MacKillop changed the course of many young Australians' lives.
Today, a century after her passing, the work that Mary MacKillop began continues through the Sisters of St Joseph, whom I have had the opportunity to visit at the Mary MacKillop Place in North Sydney.
Mary MacKillop's story is a great inspiration to all Australians, and all Australians can welcome today's announcement.