From the very beginning, we imagined creating a sacred space—a statue that would invite students to pause, reflect, and trust in the power of prayer. You can only imagine our gratitude when a retired parishioner provided a generous donation for a statue in our foundation year. Ray, a 97-year-old man of faith, whose devotion to Mary was inspired by his mother, allowed a dream to become reality.

Over tea, Ray shared his hopes: “I just want her to be beautiful, where the kids will sit and be with her.” His story of hardship and perseverance spoke volumes. His mother’s name—Violet—felt like a God moment, a gentle reminder that nothing is by coincidence.

With Ray’s gift, Dan commissioned artist Ziggy Pawlikowski, and so began the creation of our Mary—a Mary who is real, unassuming, and with child. So often statues depict Mary angelically or holding Jesus as an infant, but rarely do we see her physically pregnant, journeying through the hill country to Elizabeth, dust on her feet. In this foundation year—the ‘birth’ of our College—it made sense that our Mary would be with child, in our own hill country.

Our pregnant statue of Our Lady is far more than a physical presence—it is a spiritual compass. Positioned at the northern end of Notre Dame Way, she gazes across the College, watching over every student from Prep to eventually Year 12, inviting them into prayer. Her placement is intentional, aligned with the In the Way of Mary post and framed by Mount Beerwah—the pregnant mother in Aboriginal tradition.

As she kneels in prayer, cradling her unborn child, she embodies our belief that every child is known, loved, and belongs. Walking the Notre Dame Way, students are reminded their journey is sacred - guided by faith and Mary’s gentle strength. Her courageous “yes” whispers to our young people: “You can do it.” Our hope is that the Notre Dame family finds comfort in her presence and, in moments of joy, uncertainty, or even despair, draws on her courage—trusting that we don’t need all the answers, for God has a plan.