In the year 2000, Judy and Michael Monaghan generously established the Benjamin Monaghan Award in memory of their beloved son Benjamin, who passed too early in life. 

This acknowledgement and opportunity for a student to realise their potential has enabled these recipients to strive for greatness in their chosen field.  

Recipients include:

• Dexter Johnson (inaugural winner, awarded 2001), who is now the Operations Manager at Jackson Asphalt.
• Sam Tout (awarded 2017), who was able to study a Diploma in Filmmaking in New York - and is now employed at John XXIII College working in the areas of audiovisual and videography.
• Roberto Vitali-Lawn (awarded 2018) travelled throughout Asia to attend the Youth Leaders Forum - and is now forging a career in ethical investing. 
• Marketa Baker (awarded 2019) is studying a Diploma of Screen and Media (Film and Television).
• Conor Doyle (awarded 2020) is commencing drama studies at Edith Cowan University Mt Lawley this year.

The Benjamin Monaghan Memorial Award is presented to a student who displays talent in their endeavour.  It is awarded as a stimulus to encourage exploration and realisation of potential. The key focus in determining the recipient(s) of the Award will be creativity and potential.  The Award is intended to recognise potential/talent rather than proven achievement.  The Award may be applied to promote ongoing development at school or at another institution either secondary or post-secondary and will be made to a student in Year 12 or a graduate of the College.

Each year the award is announced at Presentation Night.  This year marks the 20th year of the Benjamin Monaghan Award for a John XXIII College student.   We are extremely grateful to the Monaghan family for their generosity and continued support of John XXIII College and helping students to realise their potential.