A PUBLICATION FOR SOCIETY MEMBERS, VOLUNTEERS AND STAFF Societynews 2016 OZANAM LECTURE The 2016 Ozanam Lecture and Honouring Ceremony was held on Sunday 21 February at the Australian Catholic University, Cathedral Hall in Fitzroy. Over 150 people attended the lecture presented by Graham West, National President of the St Vincent de Paul Society. Graham’s lecture, entitled Ensuring a youthful spirit in the Society, service in the footsteps of Ozanam, called for increased involvement of younger people in the range of activities undertaken by Society members to assist our friends in need. He identified the strong commitment of many secondary students to social justice issues as a reason why they should be encouraged to see the Society as an effective means by which they could give effect to that commitment. Graham reflected on his own involvement in the Society, which began when he was 17 years old, and has motivated him in the many and various roles he has had since then. Victoria’s Youth State Representative, Maria Nguyen responded to Graham’s lecture reinforcing the keenness of young members to be part of the Society’s diverse works. This can be a challenge for some, with various demands on their time – study, work, relationships – but there is scope for the Society to be more inclusive. The Honouring Ceremony acknowledged members with 50 years continuous service as well as conferences and regions celebrating anniversaries of 50 and more years. The Society was pleased to see so many in attendance, and have the opportunity to celebrate the achievements of our long-standing members, conferences and regions. We thank you for your support and continuing service to people in need. The Ozanam Lecture is an annual event celebrating the spirit of our founder, Blessed Frederic Ozanam and the good works of the St Vincent de Paul Society. Each year a lecturer, who is actively involved as a social justice advocate as well as in practical work with the marginalised and disadvantaged, is invited to raise community consciousness on contemporary issues.
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NEWSLETTER 280 | JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2016
A PUBLICATION FOR SOCIETY MEMBERS, VOLUNTEERS AND STAFF
Societynews
2 0 1 6 O Z A N A M L E C T U R EThe 2016 Ozanam Lecture and Honouring Ceremony was held on Sunday 21 February at the Australian Catholic University, Cathedral Hall in Fitzroy.Over 150 people attended the lecture presented by Graham West, National President of the St Vincent de Paul Society.Graham’s lecture, entitled Ensuring a youthful spirit in the Society, service in the footsteps of Ozanam, called for increased involvement of younger people in the range of activities undertaken by Society members to assist our friends in need. He identified the strong commitment of many secondary students to social justice issues as a reason why they should be encouraged to see the Society as an effective means by which they could give effect to that commitment. Graham reflected on his own involvement in the Society, which began when he was 17
years old, and has motivated him in the many and various roles he has had since then.Victoria’s Youth State Representative, Maria Nguyen responded to Graham’s lecture reinforcing the keenness of young members to be part of the Society’s diverse works. This can be a challenge for some, with various demands on their time – study, work, relationships – but there is scope for the Society to be more inclusive.The Honouring Ceremony acknowledged members with 50 years continuous service as well as conferences and regions celebrating anniversaries of 50 and more years.The Society was pleased to see so many in attendance, and have the opportunity to celebrate the achievements of our long-standing members, conferences and regions. We thank you for your support and continuing service to people in need.
The Ozanam Lecture is an annual event celebrating the spirit of our founder, Blessed Frederic Ozanam and the good works of the St Vincent de Paul Society. Each year a lecturer, who is actively involved as a social justice advocate as well as in practical work with the marginalised and disadvantaged, is invited to raise community consciousness on contemporary issues.
Dear FriendsI would like to welcome all Society members and volunteers in Victoria to 2016. This will be a year in which we deepen our efforts to understand the people in our community who turn to the Society for help. State Council is developing several innovative ways by which we might respond to those needs.HomelessnessThe Society and VincentCare Victoria are about to collaborate on a ‘HomeDirect’ project, which aims to create housing opportunities for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness. Conference members identified the need to better respond to homelessness as the highest priority in a survey conducted as part of the development of our Strategic Direction.Increasingly large groups of people who experience some form of economic and social disadvantage come to rely upon private rental as a long term accommodation option. Experienced private rental brokers will be employed to create individual housing solutions for disadvantaged Victorians in the private rental market, in a three year project. I look forward to providing more information about this project in the next issue of Societynews.Educational initiativesThe Society is continually seeking innovative ways of responding to the needs of vulnerable, disadvantaged and homeless people who turn to us seeking assistance. Support for the education of children and young people experiencing disadvantage or poverty is one key area in which we in the Society try to assist.An educational tutoring program is being started for primary students in Noble Park. This aims to assist the many students recently arrived from overseas, predominantly from non-English speaking backgrounds. Literacy and numeracy assistance will be provided one afternoon per week, using volunteer tutors and a paid part-time coordinator. Participating students will be drawn from St Anthony’s school, Noble Park, and two other schools within easy walking distance.The Society already conducts the Dandenong Tutoring program on Saturday mornings for primary and secondary students. The City of Greater Dandenong (which encompasses Noble Park) is one of Victoria’s most culturally and linguistically diverse municipalities.There are also educational scholarship programs in Gippsland, Knox-Sherbrooke and Geelong, amongst others. State Council is keen to foster support for such initiatives in other areas throughout Victoria, as a means of providing ‘a hand up’, and welcomes new proposals from Conferences and Regional/Central Councils to expand such initiatives.
Deceased VincentiansI wish to acknowledge two long-serving, active Vincentians who died recently.Peter Stapleton died on 10 October 2015, aged 71. Peter was the inspiration and much appreciated President of the Fitzroy Mobile Conference, an assistance centre for the poor and homeless in one of Melbourne’s oldest suburbs. As president, he managed the centre and saw that it was adequately stocked and manned to meet the needs of the poor and those in crisis who dropped in for a food parcel or clothing. Peter had countless backers for this work from amongst Melbourne’s strongest parishes, commercial houses and from individual donors. Arthur (John) Robinson, a 50 year member of the Blackburn South Conference, died on 4 January 2016. John was one of three remaining original members of the Conference, which held its first meeting on 8 September 1965. John served in various roles in the Conference and on Ringwood Regional Council. John had a long commitment to and involvement in social justice matters, within his Conference and the Regional Council. John’s service included home visits, not only locally but also in South Melbourne and Port Melbourne on Saturdays, as part of the Inner Suburbs Visitation Teams.
Thank you
STATE PRES IDENTMichael Liddy
Michael Liddy State President
PRAYERS ARE REQUESTED FOR...Deceased members, volunteers, family and friends
• Alf Cattanach, Ex-member, Ivanhoe West Conference• Wilbro D'Souza, Member, Airport West Conference• Aileen Ford, Ex-member, Warragul Conference,
volunteer/manager, Vinnies Warragul• Frank Godfrey, Ex-member, Wendouree Conference• Doug Greenaway, Ex-member, Bentleigh East
Conference• Arthur Griffiths, Ex-member, Mentone Conference• Roma Hills, Wife of Max & mother of Dominic,
Please forward any requests for prayers to Philip Mackey on 03 9895 5837 or email [email protected]
BEING FRANKA LONG SERVING VINNIES VOLUNTEEREvery Thursday, for the past 40 years, there has been one familiar and friendly face greeting people in need on the streets of inner-city Melbourne; our beloved Vinnies Soup Van volunteer, Frank Mullins.At 77-years-young, Frank hasn’t skipped a beat. Volunteering, in his words, is “part of my life and a real privilege” and the spark in his eye when he arrives at the Soup Van kitchen in North Melbourne is proof.
“The first night out on the van was a bit of an eye opener, to see how people live. It’s been over 40 years now. It’s just flown,” said Frank.
Frank is the longest serving “Vannie”, as they are affectionately known, and his dedication has never wavered. These days, he travels over 2-hours for his weekly shift, all the way from his seaside home in Angelsea. Onto the train, into the kitchen and off with the Soup Van – a ritual that he takes in his stride.
The reward at the other end is hard to spot if you’re not part of the Thursday night Soup Van clique; they have their own signature humour and decades of shared memories. A special bond that is theirs and theirs alone, shared generously with people in need on the street.
“I see a lot of good people, very good people. I do get emotional about it, because it is pretty close to my heart,” said Frank.
DID YOU KNOW...In 2014-2015 our 1,338 soup van volunteers provided 254,390 meals to people living rough. That's an average of 879 people per night!
Listed below is the number of volunteers and the meals provided by each of our vans:
We are delighted to introduce the first annual Just Art Competition and invite your participation. Just Art aims to make advocacy accessible to all people, of all ages, through artistic representation of social justice issues. The 2016 topic is “Asylum Seekers – Stories of Humanity”. This topic is selected as a contemporary and relevant social justice issue that is challenging the Australian conscience. It comes in context of the arrival of Syrian refugees in Australia, international discussion about Australia’s treatment of asylum seekers and off-shore detention, a federal election and a new national St Vincent de Paul Society asylum seeker policy.
We are aiming for a values based advocacy discussion that is centred on the values of compassion, respect, integrity and courage. We are looking for artistic representation of the stories of people seeking asylum, including both challenging and inspiring motifs. These “Stories of Humanity” would challenge and inspire us to acknowledge and respond to each person’s dignity. We hope to represent a Victorian community that supports a just and compassionate response to those seeking asylum, within their international humanitarian rights.Let’s start a conversation and advocate for people seeking asylum. Selected works will be part of an exhibition in August. For more information please download a Starter Pack from www.vinnies.org.au/justart or email us at [email protected]. We look forward to advocating with you!
IT'S TIME TO GET CREATIVE FOR A CAUSE
ST VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY VICTORIA INC.Locked Bag 4800, Box Hill Vic 3128P 03 9895 5800 | F 03 9895 5850E [email protected] | W vinnies.org.au
CALENDAR DATESEnergy Forum North Western Central Council Tuesday 8 March 2016 St Patrick’s Cathedral Hall, BallaratSocial Justice in the City Last Wednesday of the month, February to November, 12-1pm at St Francis' Pastoral Centre, Melbourne 30 March 2016 - Llewellyn Reynders, VCOSS Policy & Programs Manager 27 April 2016 - Dr John Falzon, National CEO, St Vincent de Paul Society Australia Regional President's Gathering Saturday 21 May 2016
2016 Vinnies CEO Sleepout SAVE THE DATE: Thursday 23 June 2016Regional President's Gathering & Annual General Meeting Saturday 22 October 2016 Thanksgiving Mass Tuesday 8 November 2016
IT'S ALL HAPPENING...The latest addition to the Vinnies Shops network opened on Friday 19 February 2016 at 481A Keilor Road, Niddrie.The store has the look and feel of a boutique. Featuring polished boards and one of a kind displays, the store is stocked full of fashion and accessories. Once a deli, Vinnies Niddrie’s old cool room has been given a new lease of life as a unique homewares department and display. There’s plenty of books, toys and manchester too!Open Monday-Saturday, 9am-5pm and Sunday 10am-4pm.
WHAT'S NEW...We just love this photo of Vinnies Northcote that opened in early December last year. Since then, Kara the Shop Manager, has been working hard to boost the number of volunteers. Pictured are some of the Vinnies volunteers that make it possible for us to open the door every day and we are pleased to announce that Kara is now in a position to keep those doors open even longer. Vinnies Northcote is now trading on both Saturday (9am-5pm) and Sunday (10am-4pm)…giving keen op-shoppers another 14 hours to hone their skills!
VINNIES SHOPS UPDATE ST KEVIN'S IRISH CONNECTIONRecently President of Ararat Conference, Pat McAloon and wife Jenny were travelling in Europe to catch up with some of his daughter’s in-laws from Ireland. Pat was pleasantly surprised to meet his son-in-law’s sister and discover her connection with the St Vincent de Paul Society in her Irish hometown.Louise Shearer is currently the Vice President of St Kevin’s Conference, Barndarrig, Brittas Bay, County Wicklow Ireland. During the meeting Pat discovered that both conferences, Ararat and St Kevin's Brittas Bay had much in common. Both had the same number of members and also faced many similar challenges in assisting their clients.However one difference was that St Kevin’s Brittas Bay is involved in some catering activities to raise funds for the conference.Pictured below is Pat McAloon, President, Ararat Conference and Louise Shearer, Vice President, St Kevin’s Conference, Brittas Bay.
Societynews
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SPREADING CHRISTMAS CHEER | ST THERESE'S SCHOOL
The Compeer program is a special work of the St Vincent de Paul Society that operates in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs and in Bendigo. The program matches trained volunteers to a person living with the effects of a mental illness. In support of the companionships Compeer holds a number of social functions each year. The biggest of which is always the Christmas gathering with many companions making a huge effort to come along even if they are not confident to attend any other events.For the last four years a group of volunteers, 300blankets, have supported Compeer by sourcing musical talent, providing gifts and games for the Melbourne Christmas event. This year the lunch was at Alfred’s Homestead with 80 people attending and an acapella group, Harambee, performed Christmas Carols. Compeer Bendigo shared Christmas lunch with 25 guests and were regaled with the music of a talented octogenarian who played the piano-accordion. These events are a special treat for the program as they mean so much to participants. One companion wrote her thanks immediately after the lunch, included in her thank you note was the message “it was lovely to be in a room filled with friendship and compassion”.
SPREADING CHRISTMAS CHEER | ST THERESE'S SCHOOL
Students from St Therese’s School in Essendon busily worked through their lunch breaks to create over 20 Christmas hampers and around 200 gifts for local people in need, as part of the Vinnies Christmas Appeal. Member of the St Vincent de Paul Society in Essendon, Mr Mitchell Roggenkamp, said every donation given to Vinnies in Essendon is invested in building support networks and frontline services for local people doing it tough.“We are overwhelmingly appreciative of the support we’ve received from the St Therese’s School community and their generous donation of time and gifts for people in need in the Essendon region this Christmas,” said Mr Roggenkamp. “Learning the importance of social justice in action and the power of giving at such a young age is so humbling to see in our local community.”St Therese’s Religious Education Leader, Mrs Amanda Foster, said the students are heavily invested in learning about the value of supporting their community all year round and the festive season is a special time for them to show their gratitude for charities like the St Vincent de Paul Society.“Creating hampers and gifts was a special way for our students to show their compassion and to ensure everyone has a chance to celebrate during the festive season,” said Mrs Foster.We would like to extend our thanks to the students, families, and teachers from the St Therese’s school community as well as the members of the St Therese’s Parish for their support during Christmas.
COMPEER CHRISTMAS
ABOUT BRIANIn late 1960, Brian Kavanagh joined the St Vincent de Paul Society as a member of St Joseph's Conference, Warrnambool East.Amongst his many interests, Brian enjoys writing poetry and reflective/nostalgic accounts of growing up in and growing old in Warrnambool. This poem was written in August 2015 and is Brian's reflection on the true spirit of all Vinnies volunteers and their work for the Society.
WHO CARES...Next time you pass a Vinnies Shop, Just take the chance to make a stop. Step inside and take a peek, You’ll probably be there for a week.Coats, trousers, dresses too, Lots of things to interest you. Many items made to measure, Perhaps you’ll spot a hidden treasure. Some little thing may catch your eye, A memento from those years gone by.Bric-a-brac and bargains galore, You can browse and browse, who could ask for more. The staff of volunteers can advise, To help you make a purchase that’s wise. An item that is a reasonable price, Will send you off, feeling nice.There’s another side to Vinnies too, A group of men and women who, Visit those folk, who are feeling the heat, And finding it hard to make ends meet.They might seem inconspicuous, As they go out in their pairs, In response to peoples’ requests, To help manage their affairs. At a time when aid might seem in vain, Who is able to judge What might ease someone’s pain.Some food and a voucher, to make them aware, That Vinnies are people, who genuinely care.To those who struggle every day, With housing, employment and bills. The member of St Vinnies Try to help them find a way.Not only with material aid, But advice, encouragement and hope. And support in their daily struggles, Might help them better cope.A word of praise for those teachers, Who in Catholic schools, Have introduced their students, To the concept of the Society Rules.So in a world where joy and compassion, At times seem to have gone out of fashion, May the efforts of our members never cease, To introduce some hope and peace To those who need it most
Brian Kavanagh Conference Member
Vinnies Mooroopna has a tradition of recruiting couples to volunteer at the centre. The tradition started back in 1975 when a small group of local men established the St Mary’s Conference.
It became apparent that a shop was needed to help raise funds for the conference and when the shop opened amongst the first to volunteer were the wives of the local men who started the conference.
This was the foundation of the ‘couple’s tradition’ and over the 40 years that have followed we have had many husband/wife couples volunteering.
Here’s a look at some of the current couple volunteers.
THE TREVASKISES 17 years ago, severe illness left Joan on life support for six weeks. Once she recovered, and with a new lease on life, she and Bernie wanted to give back to the community and decided there was no better way than volunteering for Vinnies!
THE MILSOMS For 15 years Graeme's been the man behind the scenes of Mooroopna’s Vinnies trucks, while Jeanette keeps the book department in pristine condition for curious minds to delve into worlds past and present. Two of their favourite things are the friends they've made and being able to help.
THE CORBOYS Volunteering seems to run in the family for this dedicated duo. Coralie's parents served the Mooroopna community for over 40 years, and now Coralie Dennis have been doing the same since 2010. Their favourite things are the friendships made and assisting families in need.
THE PRENDERGASTSTwo years ago Annette and Michael decided to volunteer, because they wanted to do something worthwhile, but like so many who volunteer at Vinnies they’ve been surprised at how much they themselves have benefitted through volunteering.
THE PYESAfter retiring, Brenda and Leo decided that they wanted to give something back to their local community and so they started volunteering at the local, Vinnies in Mooroopna. That was seven years ago for Leo and three for Brenda and they have never looked back.
