The Parish of SunraysiaA Community of Communities

The Parish Office is open Tuesday to Friday, from 9am to 4pm.

Saints Anne and Joachim, Sunraysia

On July 1, 2025, a Decree from the Bishop of Ballarat (Bishop Paul Bird CSsR) was received advising that the Parishes of Ouyen and Robinvale be dissolved and the territory that currently belongs to these parishes will be joined to the territory of Saints Anne and Joachim Parish, Sunraysia, to form an extended Parish of Saints Anne and Joachim, Sunraysia.

On July 26, 2023, a Decree from the Bishop of Ballarat (Bishop Paul Bird CSsR) was received advising of the new Parish of Saints Anne and Joachim, Sunraysia, with the amalgamation of the former parishes of Merbein (est. 1965), Mildura (est. 1906) and Red Cliffs (est. 1953).

Our parish embraces the communities of Irymple, Manangatang, Mildura, Merbein, Ouyen, Red Cliffs, Robinvale, Underbool and Werrimull.

Our Parish Vision

“Our Parish is a Eucharistic Community united by our faith in Jesus Christ.
We work together in the power of the Holy Spirit to spread the good news of God’s Kingdom.”

Welcome

There is a lot happening in our parish and a lot of parishioners are doing very useful things. We hope that this website will bring you up to date on some of the parish groups, their varied activities and their contact persons.

Our parish is essentially people. We of the Parish Pastoral Team see a major task of ours as helping you appreciate your own unique importance and special giftedness, and feel an ever-greater sense of belonging. We would love you all to become involved in the faith life of the parish and to take ownership for its vitality and effectiveness.

We are living in rapidly changing times. Our lives can so easily become overburdened; our available time so scarce. We all need the opportunity to step back from life and to bring our lives into perspective. What are we here for? What do we really value? Our faith provides the needed direction; but we need the support of each other to find the necessary freedom to shape our lives in line with our chosen priorities.

You are most welcome to take part in any of the listed parish groups and activities, or to suggest new ways that we can help each other. Feel free to contact the leaders, or make yourself known to the Parish Pastoral Team.

Ministries

Please contact the Parish Office on 50212872

Sacramental Information

Please read here for information relating to Baptisms and Marriages.
Until further notice please contact the Parish office in regards to Baptisms and Marriages

Sunraysia Catholic Communities – Sacramental Dates for 2025

Parent meeting for Confirmation and First Holy Communion 2nd April 7:00pm Sacred Heart Church

Confirmation (Grade 3 and above)
The celebration dates are Friday 30th, Saturday 31st May and Sunday 1st June

First Holy Communion (Grade 4 and above)
The celebration dates are Friday 20th, Saturday 21st, Sunday 22nd June

First Reconciliation (Grade 2 and above)
Parent meeting 15th October 7:00pm Sacred Heart Church.
Celebration Wednesday 26th November from 5:30pm to 7pm Sacred Heart Church.

For further information please contact the Parish Office on 50212872, Tuesday to Friday 9am to 4pm.

Parish Planned Giving

Be a part of the Planned Giving Program to ensure the financial survival and future growth of your parish.

The Planned Giving Program is the major source of income for the parish. Your financial contribution will ensure we continue to manage the ongoing and increasing expenses in our parish, including, pastoral programs, insurance, wages, utility rates and church maintenance.

To ensure a regular and reliable income for the parish, we request you to make a periodic pledge either, weekly, fortnightly or monthly. Your considered financial gift will make an enormous difference to continuing the work the parish.

For Parish Planned Giving or to donate click the links below.

Contribute to the Sunraysia Parish 

Contribute to Sunraysia Presbyteries Mildura

Mildura

A detailed history of former Mildura parish can be read here.

Merbein

• On December 11, 1927, Bishop Foley of Ballarat opened and blessed the red brick building Merbein parishioners built as a dual purpose building that could be used as a school during the week and a church on Sundays.
• The cream brick church of today was built in 1956. Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, Merbein was Blessed and Opened on Sunday, April 8, 1956.
• In 1932, Werrimull became a parish and Our Lady of Lourdes Church was built in 1933.
• In 1965, Werrimull became part of the Merbein Parish and in more recent times a part of the Mildura Parish.

Ouyen

Ouyen developed around a railway station, which was established in 1906 after the Melbourne to Mildura line was built. Blocks in the area were sold in 1910 and cleared for sheep, wheat, barley and oat production.  The parish of Ouyen was established in 1922.

Ouyen is a transport and service centre for a vast area occupied by agricultural and pastoral properties and the sixth largest livestock exchange centre in Victoria.  http://www.murrayriver.com.au/ouyen/

Red Cliffs

Situated 22km from Mildura and are proud of the contribution to the Sunraysia Catholic community.

Robinvale

• The community of St Mary’s, Robinvale has a district population of approximately 6,000 people.
• There are approximately 61 nationalities in the area.
• St Mary’s Parish School is a P – 8 with approximately 250 students.
• Over time, the parish and district has become very multicultural, while maintaining an Indigenous community.
• The area produces grapes, almonds, wheat, vegetables, olives and livestock.
• The community of St Patrick’s, Manangatang, 60 kilometres south of Robinvale, is predominantly Caucasian.  Wheat growing is the main industry of this area.

Children-Young-People-and-Adults-at-Risk-Safety-Policy-Dec-22

Safeguarding-Children-Young-People-and-Adults-at-Risk-Code-of-Conduct.pdf

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