Message from Graham Heath

The Catholic Development Fund (CDF or fund) had a continued solid performance for the financial year.

Harnessing the financial resources of the Catholic community enabled the fund to further the pastoral mission of the Catholic Church in the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle and provide cost-effective financial arrangements for capital works and other essential programs.

The fund supported the Diocese’s continued expansion into early education through its agency St Nicholas Early Education with new centres to open early in 2020. It also supported the Diocese’s development of its Shared Services facilities in Newcastle West, assisting with the delivery of the important work associated with Many Parts. One Body. One Mission project.

During the financial year the fund also supported the work of the Catholic Schools Office and Diocesan School Building Fund through the funding of various school development projects that included St Aloysius Primary School at Chisholm, St Mary’s High School Gateshead and San Clemente High School Mayfield.

The Diocese announced the future development of Catherine McAuley College and St Nicholas Early Education Centre at Medowie. When complete, the high school will accommodate 1200 students from Years 7 to 12. The funding of these projects will be significantly assisted by the CDF with CDF investors directly impacting these exciting new developments.

The CDF operating surplus assisted the Diocese to provide services such as youth ministries, chaplaincy, parish services and refugee projects as well as supporting the important work of CatholicCare.

During the year the fund continued its focus on meeting its regulatory requirements, building the capital base and strengthening its risk management framework.

The CDF aims to provide competitive interest rates on its financial products and welcomes investors to contact its friendly staff to discuss their involvement in our Catholic community.

Stay tuned for our new fund branding and products in early 2020.

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