This December, hundreds of young Catholics, alumni, clergy, and friends of the university chaplaincies will step into Sydney Town Hall for the Jubilee Society Ball, a landmark celebration of the silver jubilee of Catholic life on university campus.
The university chaplaincies at the University of Sydney, UNSW, Macquarie University, and UTS were founded to offer students a home for faith, formation, and community at a time when campuses were becoming more secular.
Then-students Anthony McCarthy, Rita Azzi, and Dr Robert Haddad were convinced that young Catholics needed a visible presence and a spiritual refuge on campus, and launched the first chaplaincy at the University of Sydney.
With the encouragement of the then-archbishop, Cardinal George Pell, the chaplaincies expanded into thriving centres of sacramental life, catechesis, and evangelisation.
Today, they remain places where students encounter Christ, ask difficult questions, deepen their spiritual lives, and form lifelong friendships.
Run by the student-led Catholic societies and the chaplaincies, the Annual Society Ball quickly became a highlight of the Catholic student calendar.
First held in 2001 as a simple end-of-year celebration, it has since grown into a beloved tradition that unites students and alumni from all backgrounds.
For most of its history, the event was known as the Sydney University Catholic Society Ball, a tradition cherished by generations at USYD.
This year, in honour of the 25th anniversary of the ball, University Catholics have opened the celebration to the wider Catholic community across Sydney.
Taking place on Saturday 20 December at the Town Hall, the evening will feature canapés, drinks, live music, dancing, and, per tradition, a festive finale of carols accompanied by the Town Hall organ.
Milad Elisha, who served as president of the Sydney University Catholic Society during 2024, said the beauty of the ball is twofold.
“The first, which many tend to overlook, is the invaluable contribution of the chaplaincy staff and university student executives who serve every year,” he said.
“Having experienced it myself, I’ve seen how the love, attention, and care each person brings becomes manifest on the day. This leads to the second aspect, the day itself.
“Seeing a multitude of Catholics, east and west, new and cradle, alumni and young, stands as a testament to God’s providence and grace within this wonderful community.”
Tickets available at https://www.societyball.org.au/
