Christina Graves Learning Grant

Leading up to each Marriage and Relationship Educators Conference (MARENC), CSME makes available a Learning Grant. The grant is to enable CSME marriage educators who are constrained because of finances or distance to be able to participate in this valuable opportunity for professional development. In 2008 it was renamed the Christina Graves Learning Grant in honour of Christina Graves. She was a long time member of CSME and the CSME Executive. She passed away in 2007. To find out more information about Christina see the blue box.

The Christina Graves Learning Grant provides up to $5000 support to CSME members wanting to attend MARENC who would otherwise find it difficult. Applications must demonstrate:

  • Current involvement in the field.

  • Express how participation in the conference will benefit their work.

  • Provide a referee from a position of leadership in the agency or parish in which he/she is currently involved.

Support will include the cost of travel, accommodation and conference CSME day registrations.



 Click here to download an application form now!

Christina Graves

Christina Graves was appointed as Director of Catholic Marriage Education Services Perth (CMES) in 1997. During her nine years as director Christina significantly reformed and improved the agency. While overhauling the administrative processes she also found time to maintain a high level of client contact work. Christina renovated the state of the art training room that the Perth agency now enjoys for their group work as well as significantly expanding and broadening the agencies vision and work.

While working as Director for Catholic Marriage Education Services she also served as President of the Catholic Society for Marriage Education, was Chair of the Bishop’s Committee for Family and for Life (Perth), co convened a national Marriage and Relationship Educators Conference (MARENC) in Perth and was an active member of that Marriage and Relationship Educators Association of Australia (MAREAA). Marriage Educators across Australia remember Christina as a mentor, teacher, guide, champion of marriage education and a close friend.

The CSME Learning Grant was renamed the Christina Graves Learning Grant in honour of her contribution to the field and because she was such a strong advocate of the importance of ongoing, high quality, professional development for people working in this field.