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Our Story
For 250 years, the work of the Presentation Sisters has been guided by the conviction that providing a quality Catholic education to one young person can strengthen and uplift entire communities, both now and into the future.
This belief inspired founder, Honora ‘Nano’ Nagle, who dedicated her life to serving those in need—bringing Christ’s compassion to the vulnerable and championing the importance of Catholic education, care, and social justice.
Today, the Iona Presentation Foundation proudly carries forward this rich legacy. Rooted in the love of Jesus and the spirit of the Presentation Sisters, the Foundation is committed to advancing their mission in Western Australia.
Nano Nagle devoted her life to the education of poor girls in her hometown of Cork, Ireland. Carrying a lantern through the dark streets, she visited the sick and those in need within the community, offering hope, dignity and compassion. She went on to establish a number of schools across Cork and, on Christmas Eve in 1775, founded what would become the Congregation of the Sisters of the Presentation.
Since that time, the Presentation Sisters have carried Nano Nagle’s vision far beyond its beginnings in Ireland, educating generations of young people and responding to the needs of communities across the world. Guided by a deep commitment to faith, justice and compassion, their mission has continued to evolve while remaining firmly grounded in its founding purpose.
The Iona Presentation Foundation exists to continue this living tradition in Western Australia. Inspired by Nano Nagle’s example, the Foundation channels philanthropic support into three interlocking priorities: bursaries that open doors to a Presentation education for students who might otherwise be excluded; scholarships for students who demonstrate exceptional promise; and capital works that create modern, inclusive learning environments where young people can flourish.
These programs are designed not only to benefit individuals, but to build communities and futures marked by opportunity, dignity and service, in recognition of the Presentation Sisters’ extraordinary legacy.
