marginalised
Survivors
Teachers N AT I O N A L C O U N C I L O F A U S T R A L I A 2 0 1 0
Teacher
TA B L E O F C O N T E N T S
About us
2
National President's report
3
Chief Executive Officer's report
4-5
Vale Syd Tutton
6-7
Learning to speak out
8-9
Learning from the marginalised
10-11
Learning through the eyes of others
12-13
Multiplying the good
14-15
Listening so that we learn
16-17
Lessons from those we help
18-19
Learning what matters for those we help
20-21
Learning from those who have sought refuge 22-23 Children teaching us Learning there is no quick-fix
24-25 26
Our hearts being changed
28-29
Overcoming prejudice through education
30-32
Overseas development Society financial & property resources
33 34-35
This logo represents the hand of Christ that blesses the cup, the hand of love that offers the cup, and the hand of suffering that receives the cup. The Society is a lay Catholic organisation that aspires to live the Gospel message by serving Christ in the poor with love, respect, justice, hope and joy, and by working to shape a more just and compassionate society. The St Vincent de Paul Society in Australia wishes to acknowledge that we are on Aboriginal land. We pay respects to all traditional custodians. Warning: This publication may contain the names and images of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people now deceased. National Council Office: PO Box 243, Deakin West, ACT 2600 Phone: 02 6202 1200 Fax: 02 6285 0159 Email: admin@svdpnatcl.org.au Editorial Committee: Dr John Falzon and Ramesh Weereratne Edited: Arlene Eastman Design: Mary Ferlin, Catholic Communications Melbourne Printing: Doran Printing, Melbourne
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N ational C ouncil and staff
National Council Syd Tutton
President
Teresa Wilson
Deputy President
Tony Muir
Vice President
Danusia Kaska
Vice President
Alicia Luchetti
Vice President
Clement Astruc
WA President
Evan Brett
Canberra-Goulburn President
Brian Moore
QLD President
Tony Tome
Vic President
Margaret Lambert
NT President
Dominic Lagana
SA President
Peter Lyall
Tas President
Beverley Kerr
NSW Chairperson
Anthony Thornton
Secretary to Council
David Bresnik
Treasurer
Sarah Crute
Youth and Young Adults Representative
Fr Greg Cooney
Spiritual Adviser
The Council meets three times yearly at the National Office, Canberra.
Staff Personnel Dr John Falzon
Chief Executive Officer
Jonathan Campton
Research Officer
Donna Scheerlinck
PA to President and CEO
Vincent Nguyen Cuu
National Website Team Leader
Amanda Hobson
Administration
Kimberly Watson
Administration
Volunteer Personnel Michael Moran
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Archivist
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T h e S t V incent de P aul S ociet y A C R O S S AUSTRALIA CONFERENCES Canberra/Goulburn NSW NT QLD SA TAS VIC WA TOTAL
54 422 6 229 63 23 301 80 1178
MEMBERS Canberra/Goulburn NSW NT QLD SA TAS VIC WA TOTAL
607 7257 75 2934 695 255 5370 1016 18,209
VOLUNTEERS Canberra/Goulburn NSW NT QLD SA TAS VIC WA TOTAL
2307 12,422 156 5433 1350 1000 6630 1612 30,910
EMPLOYEES Canberra/Goulburn NSW NT QLD SA TAS VIC WA TOTAL
149 1366 46 333 102 95 713 121 2925
CENTRES Canberra/Goulburn NSW NT QLD SA TAS VIC WA TOTAL
25 247 5 137 36 33 102 44 629
Our P e op l e N ational P resident ’ s R eport
This year, the Society embarked on the beginning of a journey of Reconciliation. We have made a humble start: for example, by acknowledging the traditional owners and custodians of the land on which we meet whenever we gather together as Vincentians. I invite you to join me in making this acknowledgement in a prayerful way, especially remembering all the Aboriginal People who have died either as a direct or indirect result of European colonisation. Let me assure you, this kind of acknowledgement is not some kind of act of trendy political correctness. I would like to put it to you that it is really something that accords deeply with our Vincentian spirituality, a spirituality that finds Christ on the margins. The late Fr Ted Kennedy, who was well-known for his ministry at the Parish of St Vincent de Paul, in Redfern, said something that I feel we, as Catholics, should take heed of and reflect on. He said: “Within the Catholic community in Australia there has been a deep, dark hole for a long time now, which amounts to a lack of genuine spirituality. By ‘spiritual’ I do not mean something ethereal, incapable of being translated into the common coinage of human experience. I mean the opposite: something that can live at the very centre of the human dilemma. Religion can become the possession of an elitist group, whose power reinforces the power of all the other institutional forces in society. Its language then becomes spiritually hollow, incapable of criticising or challenging any
of those forces. In so becoming, religion moves inevitably away from where people – especially the poor – live, move and have their being. I want to confess that the Australian Catholic Church has built up a momentum that is heading away from the poor, and to the extent that it has done so, it has become unfaithful to the Gospel.” I do not share these thoughts as a cause for despair. Far from it: I share them so that they might be a cause for reflection and, in the end, a source of hope. We are called to be a Society of hope. Our hope is not the same as wishful thinking. Neither is it so heavenly as to be of no earthly use. Quite the opposite! Our hope is as practical as it is spiritual. It is, as expressed in our Mission Statement, a hope for a more just and compassionate society. But hope is seriously constrained when we give way to ‘silo’ thinking. Hope is not territorial. Hope ceases to be hope when it is turned in on itself. This is what we must guard against in the Society. Sadly, not only must we guard against it; we must also seek to roll back its well-established presence in the structures of the Society. We must fight the temptation of the ‘my way or the highway’ approach to decision-making in the Society. There are many times when, in the interests of the people we serve, we must make compromises with each other. There are times when we must give in on some points in order to achieve the bigger goals of our Mission. These are the times, and as you know, there are many, when we must learn
to hold back, when things are not going our way. These are the times when we need, more than ever, to have our hope before our eyes. These are the times when we are called to act in love, which is anything but easy; when we are called to live out our faith, which appears illogical according to the ways of the world. We were formed by Frederic and his young companions as a progressive movement. We were not founded to be a static institution or an inwardslooking organisation. We were formed as a movement that could be responsive to human need in the concrete social, economic and political conditions of any particular time and place. The Society had incredible momentum in spreading across the globe, coming to Australia in 1854, just 21 years after our initial founding in Paris. Our challenge today is to reclaim that incredible momentum. Our job is as simple as it is difficult: to identify what needs to be done and to do it. As the parish priest of St Canice’s Church in Kings Cross once said: “I don’t work with the poor, I work with human beings, and it so often happens that human beings doing it hard are the ones that have a claim on me.” We are specifically counselled by Blessed Frederic to study the conditions that cause poverty and inequality and to do all that we can to prevent this development. Rather than waiting for the disasters to happen, we are challenged to be there before the disasters and
even to work actively, especially through robust advocacy, to prevent the disasters. We are obliged to keep the long-term goals of social justice at the forefront of our thinking and actions, even when this might make us unpopular and out of step with similar organisations. In doing so, we are simply following the scriptural imperative to take the side of the downtrodden, whether it be on the issue of problem gambling or immigration detention. In the simple words of the Beatitudes: “Happy are those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they shall be satisfied.” We are here to minister to those on the edges. We are here to stand with, and to speak up for, our sisters and brothers who are pushed to the margins. Single mothers, people experiencing long-term unemployment, people living with mental illnesses, people experiencing homelessness, Aboriginal Australians, asylum seekers, and all the people who are doing it tough: these are our people. These are the people in whom we are called to see the face of Christ. Let us never be afraid to stand with them. Let us never be afraid to speak out for them. Let us never betray them.
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Syd Tutton National President, 2008-2010
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Change will come from below C h ief E x ecutive O fficer ’ s R eport
There is a simple message that is echoed throughout this year’s National Overview of the St Vincent de Paul Society. It is this: above everything else, we must listen to our sisters and brothers who are downtrodden and excluded. We must learn from these sisters and brothers. We must take their side. We know that this message is dismissed by the so-called ‘wisdom’ of the powerful, as being too simplistic. There are some who go much further and condemn this message as being downright dangerous or subversive. They are partly right. It is very simple but I must voice my certainty to you that far too often we allow complexity to be our excuse for failing to act, and so we divest ourselves of our real social responsibility. They are right, too, to say that this message is dangerous. It is dangerous to those of us who believe it. It is dangerous to those of us who practice it. But most of all, it is dangerous to those who have a vested, unchristian interest in defending a cruel and unjust status quo. They fear the conscientisation of the poor: that the poor will cease to accept their poverty as a matter of fate. They fear that the poor will begin to question and critically analyse the structural causes of their marginalisation. You might remember the example of Oscar Romero, Archbishop of San Salvador. None of us can forget that his life was radicalised by listening to, and learning from, the poor. And none of us can
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forget that he paid the ultimate price for his revolutionary love of the poor. He was hounded, and eventually killed, by the powers that saw him as being a dangerous threat to an unjust status quo. I would like to share with you one of his beautiful, prophetic utterances: “Even when they call us mad, when they call us subversives and communists and all the epithets they put on us, we know we only preach the subversive witness of the Beatitudes, which have turned everything upside down.” Revolution literally means turning everything upside down. This is precisely what Christ’s Beatitudes challenge us to do, according to Romero. This is what we too are challenged to see. Far from being a call to violence or hate, the Beatitudes are a call to love. But this is not a sentimental love or a patronising love. It is a hard and disturbing love. It is hard and disturbing to hear the Word-made-flesh, the God who pitched his tent among us, telling us: Blessed are you who are poor. Woe to you who are rich. Blessed are you who are hungry. Woe to you who are full. Blessed are you when people hate you, exclude you, revile you. Woe to you when all speak well of you. This is a hard teaching. Over the centuries since these words were uttered, we have done triple somersaults to avoid their simple and direct message: their startling, revolutionary challenge to
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turn everything upside down. The poor, the hungry, the excluded; these are the people of the earth whose choices have been taken away by unjust structures and histories of oppression. There is only one way forward, according to this teaching, and that is for those who have the choices to take the side of these sisters and brothers; to listen and learn from the poor. It is not enough, according to the logic of the Beatitudes, for the powerful to try to impose solutions. We are called to engage in a revolutionary practice of listening, a revolutionary practice of humility, a revolutionary practice of obedience to the wishes and aspirations of the poor, the hungry, the excluded. Obedience is an unfashionable word in the prosperous consumer societies of today’s world, where the key value is individualism and the key practice is to do whatever you want. The word ‘obedience’ comes, of course, from the Latin term for listening. The most powerful form of obedience for us who work in the community sector is the act of listening to the excluded. Humility means sharing the same ground as the people who are broken. Cesar Vallejo, the Peruvian poet, described this brokenness poignantly: “There are people so wretched, they don’t even have a body!” We are often tempted to think that the most important partnerships are those we might make with powerful
governments or powerful businesses. These might be necessary from time to time, as means to an end, but the most essential, the most non-negotiable, partnership we can engage in is a workingtogether with people who are pushed to the margins. This is the most important partnership we can engage in: a solidarity with, a learning from, our marginalized sisters and brothers. I do not mean a patronizing action that puts people in the position of grateful, deserving recipient. I mean a commitment to their liberation, a joining in companionship on the journey to building a society of justice and compassion. Shortly before the 2010 Federal election, I took part in the joint launch of a Reconciliation Action Plan for two Canberra NGOs, the ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS) and Woden Community Services. Ngunnawal Elder Aunty Janet Phillips gave a beautiful Welcome to Country. One of the things she said in her welcome was that, “for Aboriginal Australians, there’s no such thing as justice; there’s just us.” Some might also find Auntie Janet’s words to be lacking in hope. Nothing could be further from the truth. When she says “there’s just us”, this is not a cry of despair but rather a moral call to arms. The greatest cause of inequality and structural injustice is the acceptance of the false notion that “they” are the ones who are in the boats seeking asylum, or having half their meagre income being
“managed” because “they” are Aboriginal or on a social security benefit; that “they” are young and jobless or old and isolated; that “they” live with a disability or are working hard to raise their children alone on an inadequate income; that “they” are living in their car because “they” couldn’t keep up their rent payments... So, who are “we”? Do “we” need to keep “them” out? Do “we” really need to punish and humiliate “them” for doing it tough on the fringes of the labour market? Or do “we” want a society where there is no alien “other”; where there is, in Auntie Janet’s prophetic words, “just us”? At the heart of “us” there has to be at the very least a sense of travelling towards greater equality. Otherwise the “us” becomes a travesty. Forget the so-called rising tide that lifts all boats. Solidarity means being in the same boat. Australia continues to be a highly unequal society. If we care to dig a little deeper through some of the rhetoric that calls on the people doing it tough to lift their game, we would discover that inequality of income and of access to essential services lies at the heart of disadvantage in Australia. Australian National University economist Andrew Leigh and Oxford University’s Tony Atkinson have recently analysed a 30-year trend of rising inequality with the rich boosting their share of Australian income significantly over the past five years. The
trend for wealth inequality is worse, with the richest 20 per cent of households owning 63 per cent of the net wealth. It’s not just about income and wealth. There is the need for a redistribution of services and resources. We need to understand the basics of life as social goods, rather than as sources of profit. The right to live in affordable housing, for example, is enshrined in the United Nation’s Declaration of Human Rights, which says in Article 25: “Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of him[/her]self and of his[/her] family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services.” The project for greater social equality is anchored in a redistribution of hope. Auntie Janet’s formulation creates powerful grounds for this fundamental redistribution. The private rental market is notoriously bad at providing affordable access to appropriate housing for lowincome families. Governments have a responsibility to do what markets cannot. But even when governments accept their responsibility, they do not give hope. The role of government is actually to create the legislative, social and economic frameworks in which hope can be realised. Hope isn’t something given by governments, businesses or charities. Hope isn’t something that can be given from above. Like social change, it has to be created from below. As the poet, Bertolt Brecht, put it so well, “the compassion of the
oppressed for the oppressed is indispensable. It is the world’s one hope.” Governments should be measured by the degree to which their policies create the space (and provide the infrastructure) in which this hope can be collectively made –by us! Those of us who are members of NGOs would do well to analyse our own contribution to a better society in these terms as well. There is an entrenched inequality in our midst. Our job is to generate the political will to address its structural causes, rather than managing its manifestation. As the Italian theorist, Domenico Losurdo, put it: “Democracy cannot be defined by abstracting the fate of the excluded.” We’ve got to remember something crucial here about the history of progressive social change in Australia: without the organised analysis and agitation of ordinary people, we would never have seen gains in the fields of industrial rights, women’s rights, the establishment and public funding of refuges for women and young people, tenants’ rights, environmental justice, workers’ compensation, citizenship rights for Aboriginal people and so on.
reality, by their concrete analysis of the concrete conditions. Good policy was born from such struggles. As Pablo Neruda put it: “The word was born in the blood…” These struggles continue: the struggle in pursuit of a new society, based on what we learn from the people on the margins. As Arthur Rimbaud, the young Belgian poet who experienced so much poverty and exclusion in his own life, put it: “And, in the dawn, armed with an ardent patience, we shall enter magnificent cities.”
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Dr John Falzon Chief Executive Officer
In the years of the Great Depression, when the families of the unemployed were being thrown out of their homes by the landlords, a movement of resistance sprang up against these evictions. Like Christ, good people were moved to compassion and to action. People were radicalised by
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Ff iI n Nd D iI n Ng G g Go Od D IN THE OPPRESSED IN V A L E S y d T utton 22.05.1937 – 12.12.2010 Syd Tutton, National President of the St Vincent de Paul Society in Australia, died of a recently diagnosed cancer in the early hours of Sunday, 12th December, 2010. Syd lived, and died, as a fighter for social justice. This, for him, was what it meant to be a man of faith. Following the example of Jesus of Nazareth, Syd believed passionately in taking the side of the marginalised, even if this meant challenging the powerful. For Syd, a person of deep prayer and real compassion, this was at the heart of the Gospel. He was fond of quoting Francis of Assisi, who said to his followers: “Preach the gospel and sometimes use words.” Born on 22nd May, 1937, in Richmond, Victoria, Syd savoured the lessons of his childhood and threw himself into the rough-and-tumble of life in all its aspects. This included overseas service with the Royal Australian Navy as a Reservist and National Serviceman – a time he remembered with great fondness and humour. In 1958, in Richmond, he founded one of the first credit unions. A strong believer in mutuality, he also served as Vice-Chairman of the Board of the Hospital Benefits Association. Syd was incapable of sitting still. He had a remarkable ability to enthuse and energise those around him. His interests ranged from YCW cricket to the Loyola Musical Society, where he met and fell in love with Josephine Reay. They married in 1966 and together they had six children. Wherever he was and 6
whatever he did, Syd’s family was always close to his heart. He loved both politics and religion and was not afraid to talk about either. He always had a hands-on involvement with the church and was also personally involved in both the ALP and the DLP, standing as a candidate for the state seat of Richmond. Moving on from what he saw as the narrow vision associated with ‘The Movement’, he was grateful for the first-hand experience of political life, citing, for example, the deep mutual respect and friendship he even enjoyed with a local Communist activist. Syd had a deep appreciation of literature, the arts, theology, political and economic theory, and history. He would astonish everyone with his encyclopaedic knowledge of everything from Australian Prime Ministers to the Napoleonic Wars. His favourite poet was George Mackay Brown, whom he had the pleasure of meeting on Stromness in the Orkney Islands. He was a voracious reader, collected paintings wherever he went, and loved to have Elgar or Tchaikovsky blaring in the background. He swept people into his mood, lifting spirits, regaling with tales, leaving everyone in fits of laughter. Syd applied himself assiduously to further studies in business management and accountancy. Whilst appreciating theory, he was pre-eminently a man of action, spending 51 years in the electricity supply industry, serving as Manager and Company Secretary
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of the Electricity Supply Association of Australia, Secretary of the Australian National Committee of the World Energy Council and member of the Executive Assembly representing Australia. He was later Secretary of the Australian Committee of the Counseil International des Grands Reseaux Electriques, the Paris-based organisation for the interchange of technical information on transmission of high voltage electricity, and was appointed a Distinguished Member in 2000. He won the respect of his European colleagues despite their Eurocentric prejudices against the Antipodes, even becoming the first nonEuropean Chairperson of the International Representatives Meeting at Palais de Congress in Paris, 2002.
Syd was a member of the St Vincent de Paul Society for more than 40 years. He served as the Victorian State President from 2001 to 2006. He then served as National Secretary from June 2006 prior to being elected National President in March, 2008. Syd was also a member of the Board of the St Vincent de Paul Society’s International Council General, based in Paris, and was highly respected and loved by Vincentians across the globe, representing Australia and making a significant contribution to reform and renewal of the International Confederation of the Society. He also touched people in a profoundly personal way. Syd was the living embodiment of human solidarity.
incurred for this courageous stand.
photo by Fiona Power
His practical achievements as Victorian State President, National Secretary and National President, are too numerous to list but he was uninterested in personal recognition, making light of the Papal Knighthood he received in 2009, threatening to ask the Vatican for a horse to go with the title!
Top left: Syd Tutton, National President of the Society. A member for 40 years, he had a remarkable ability to enthuse and energise those around him.
photo by john casamento
Top: National Presidents: Syd Tutton welcomes his counterpart from the United States, Joe Flannigan, and his wife, Pat Flannigan, to Melbourne in late 2009. Syd was an outstanding ambassador for Australian Vincentians.
“His total focus on the needs of the marginalised, his willingness to battle for them – at great cost to himself and his health – is something I will always treasure. Of all the prophetic people I have ever
met, he is from the very top drawer,” wrote the respected anthropologist, Fr Gerald Arbuckle. Syd gave himself completely to the cause of people who
Left: Syd with his wife, Josephine Tutton, in 2009 after receiving the Papal Knighthood of the Order of St Gregory the Great. The award acknowledges an individual’s meritorious service to the Church.
are pushed to the margins of society, both globally and locally. He continued to call for a revolutionary approach to social justice and social change, unafraid of the criticisms he sometimes
For Syd, his work for the St Vincent de Paul Society was simply a matter of seeking, and finding, God, in the people who are oppressed by structures of injustice and inequality. He went into bat for any group in society who were degraded and despised and he did this on a personal level, as well as in the political arena. Whilst he was a loyal son of the church, his view of the church became increasingly radical and critical of the polarisation between hierarchical structures and the simple revolutionary message of the Gospel. He loved to foster critical thinking, taking a personal role in editing The Record, commissioning books and inaugurating the annual Gerald Ward Lecture on Social Justice. Syd is survived and lovingly remembered by his wife Josephine, his children Carmel, Bernadette, Claire, Denise, Geraldine and Stewart and grandchildren Emily, Lauren, Jane, Timothy, Connor, Ryan, Noah, Hamish, Alva, and Hans.
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John Falzon 14 December 2010
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Ll E A R N I N G TO SPEAK OUT advocac y and researc h
To advocate means to stand with, and to speak for, our marginalised sisters and brothers. Our work of assistance and service to people doing it tough is a tangible way of standing with our people. We are obliged, however, also to speak out as a means of addressing the causes of their marginalisation. The Rule instructs us to be a voice for the voiceless: “The Society helps the poor and disadvantaged speak for themselves. When they cannot, the Society must speak on behalf of those who are ignored.” Similarly, the Book of Proverbs tells us: “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, protect the rights of those who are helpless. Speak out and pronounce a sentence of justice, defend the cause of the wretched and the poor.” Professor Sir Michael Marmot, the world’s leading authority on the social determinants of health, shared an instructive story about the aims of advocacy at the Federal Government’s Social Inclusion Conference in Melbourne in January 2010. He explained how Boris Johnson, the Conservative Lord Mayor of London, had produced a draft plan to address health inequality and that when Sir Michael read it he thought that it was excellent work, commenting: “I could have written his myself.” Then he realised: “I did write this myself!” The moral of the story, of course, is that it’s amazing what you can achieve if you don’t care who gets the credit. 8
This must remain a guiding principle for our advocacy work. Our Smart Meters report, for example, led the way in providing a cuttingedge critique of how this new technology will affect struggling households. This produced very quick results, especially in Victoria, where the roll-out is most advanced. We did not always get the credit. But we are getting the results. Similarly, we are on the front-line in critique of the new paternalism within both the Federal Government and Opposition. We are privileged to hear the stories of those who are on the margins. We have a sacred obligation to do justice to the truths with which we have been entrusted. In its submission to Fair Work Australia’s Annual Wage Review for the lowestpaid Australians, the advisory body, the Australian Social Inclusion Board, wrote: “The Board is of the firm view that the promotion of social inclusion relies on the promotion of decent work, and that decent work deserves decent wages. Building a socially inclusive Australia does not involve boosting employment at any cost. Allowing real minimum wages to erode over time will not promote social inclusion. We do not accept that social inclusion is enhanced in employment terms by adopting the position that there is a trade off to be made which involves increasing employment by driving minimum wages down.”
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It is the position of the St Vincent de Paul Society that serious deficiencies remain in the safety net for low-income Australians. We maintain grave concerns over the inadequacy of social security benefits, the paternalistic nature of compulsory income management, the failure to address the social housing crisis and the disproportionate impact of cost increases, particularly in the area of energy. In the lead-up to the Federal election, we also witnessed a sad debate between both sides of politics on how to deter, rather than welcome, our brothers and sisters seeking asylum in our country.
management, under the guise of social inclusion.
Following the election, we noted that the social inclusion framework remained on the Federal Government’s agenda. We also, however, saw the Government’s extension of paternalistic policies such as compulsory income
The Society has always considered the Federal Budget to be a significant indicator of the priorities of any given Government. Our response to the 2010 Budget was as follows:
On the positive side is the commitment made by the Prime Minister to address the issue of problem gambling, in response to the conditions outlined by Tasmanian Independent, Andrew Wilkie. We were cautiously happy to see some progress in the area of children in detention, in response to our advocacy, along with that of many other organisations. We remain opposed, however, to the Government’s continued excessive use of detention of asylum seekers, in contravention of its own policy position articulated in 2008.
You don’t build a strong economy on the back of a fractured society. This Budget fails to heal the fracture. With over 600,000 unemployed Australians, we remain stuck with a Newstart Allowance that is less than half the minimum wage. With no real adjustment to unemployment benefits since 1994, these Australians are forced to live below the OECD poverty line. An income below the poverty-line is not a stick to drive people into a job. It is a brake on participation. A fractured society will cost this economy dearly. The social costs, the health costs, the economic costs, are already apparent. We called for an increase of $45 a week for single base unemployment benefits. We called for genuine inclusion of people doing it tough as sole parents and as battlers on the margins of the labour market. But the people we represent continue to be forgotten and pushed out. We will all pay the price of their abandonment.
During 2010, Dr Falzon gave more than 120 media interviews on topics as diverse as asylum seekers, welfare quarantining, unemployment, smart meters, homelessness, the Federal Budget, the Federal election, NGO governance and Anti-Poverty Week. The year 2010 also saw the Annual Gerald Ward Lecture, given at the National Library of Australia by Cardinal Wilfred Napier, Archbishop of Durban, South Africa, on Welcoming the Stranger; and the publication by the Society of John Honner’s book on Louise de Marillac, Holy Humanity. We have participated on every possible occasion in government inquiries ranging from the Senate Select Committee on Fuel and Energy to the Inquiry into Social Security and Other Legislation Amendment (Welfare Reform and Reinstatement of Racial Discrimination Act) Bill 2009. National President, Mr Syd Tutton, gave speeches across Australia at gatherings of our State and Territory Councils and at various functions of the Society, as well as representing Australia at the international meeting of the St Vincent de Paul Society in Paris and Salamanca. Chief Executive Officer, Dr John Falzon, has also given numerous speeches across Australia and has written and published widely on the continuing struggle for social justice. The Society is well-positioned to be a voice for the voiceless. We are called to do this by the Gospel and, as such, we continue to keep our eyes on the long-term goals of social justice and compassion.
Below is a summary of some of the National Council advocacy activities: Advisory board participation • Australian Social Inclusion Board • High Level Consultative Committee on the Energy White Paper • Ministerial Roundtable on Climate Change • Digital TV Switchover Taskforce Papers and speeches presented • Social Justice in the Scriptures, Centre for Progressive Religious Thought • The Silence of the Good, Response to the Gerald Ward Lecture • Changing the Structures, Address to Centrelink Senior Management • Ways of Interpreting the Australian Political Landscape: A View from the Ground Up, University of Wollongong Community Empowerment Initiative • A Fair Go or Fair Enough – What Does a Socially Inclusive Australia Look Like?, Social Inclusion Conference • Social Inequality in Australia, Centre for Studies on Asia and Oceania • The Excluded and Unknown: Our Struggle for Social Justice in the 21st Century, General Assembly, Salamanca • Only with Burning Patience, Keynote Address to Hands On Professional Development Day • Emerging Equity Issues for 2010, The Australian Council of Social Service (ACOSS) National Conference
• The Dust of Fact: A View from the Ground, Intergovernmental Relations Conference 2010 • Change Will Not Come from Above, Towards Social Inclusion Conference • We Ourselves, CEO Sleepout Launch • Lock It In: A Social Inclusion Perspective on the Case for Funding Legal Services, Law Council of Australia National Access to Justice Pro Bono Conference • Change Will Come from Below, Keynote Address to the Seventh Pacific and Asian Cooperation (Panasco) Conference, Goa • Against the Organisation Of Misery, Address to the Salvation Army Annual Social Programme Conference Media releases • Vinnies says NO to TPVs (Temporary Protection Visas), 15 Nov 2009 • Govt ramps up discrimination with new welfare laws, 25 Nov 2009 • Underlying cost of electricity to rise: St Vincent de Paul Society Report, 2 Feb 2010
• Basic Rights not BasicsCard – St Vincent de Paul Society, 22 June, 2010 • Put People before Polls on Refugees: St Vincent de Paul Society, 5 July 2010 • Fresh Start for Vinnies NSW State Council, 12 July 2010 • Mandatory Detention, especially of children, must end – St Vincent de Paul Society, 24 Sept, 2010 • St Vincent de Paul Society calls for three steps to fairness in Anti-Poverty Week, 18 Oct 2010 Research projects • Residents’ Voices, Place Communities and Disadvantage, UWS, Loyola University Chicago • Social disadvantage and economic recession: promoting inclusion and combating deprivation, UNSW • Clemente and Social Inclusion, ACU, Curtin University, Edith Cowan University • Social Determinants of Health Advocacy in Residence, CSSA, CHA, ACU • Engaging Older Australians, ACU.
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• Where’s the respect?” Vinnies asks Government on quarantining, 10 Feb 2010 • St Vincent de Paul Society condemns Welfare Quarantining Decision, 11 March 2010 • No place here for thinly veiled racism – St Vincent de Paul Society, 12 April 2010 • You don’t build a strong economy on the back of a fractured society, 11 May 2010 N AT I O N A L C O U N C I L O F A U S T R A L I A 2 0 1 0
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Learning from the marginalised I am wort h w h ile
AS STAFF at Kennedy House, in Goulburn, we have learnt much from people who are marginalised. This can be broken down into a number of areas through a logical model of assessment, collaboration and incorporating the ethos of the Society. Why did they come? St Vincent de Paul Society hostels are transparent. We listen. We offer hope, love, meals and friendship while incorporating dignity, respect and, above all, we’re non-judgemental and fight for the social justice of the men. Basically, they feel safe off the street. As Vincentians, we care. What do they want? The men want to share their pain, and require healing. This healing can be in different forms. Trust, a bed, empathy, medication support, doctors and mental health support. We see parolees who come to
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finish their parole term, or men who want help to renew relationships with family and friends. We see men who are seeking employment, housing and financial support. One cannot isolate or give a generic overview of each homeless, single man entering the service. Each man has individual needs and talents, addictions, comorbidity (the simultaneous existence of health problems or disease) and physical or mental health issues. Only through a process of initial assessments can we begin to assist the guest with case management. We have an open-door policy for the guests to feel comfortable at anytime to chat about any issue or request.
Through collaboration and trust, the men open up and share with us why they came to the service and what they want. What usually occurs is that they want a quick fix before dealing with the personal issues.
What can guests and staff in collaboration achieve?
The primary want is assistance from us to become healthy – both physically and/or mentally, and assistance with addictions. The secondary goals of a house, flat, employment or a plasma TV, become a long-term plan as we work on the primary issues first.
Through case management with the guests, we can identify from the initial assessments their addiction, current medical state, as well as mental health issues.
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How to improve low skill levels? When we offer training, the men are most excited and a number receive certificates of achievement. The reaction of the men when they complete a course and receive recognition is remarkable. You see them being transformed from having little to no self-esteem and confidence to being proud and dignified men. Their comments are always the same: “I didn’t think I could do it” or “I didn’t think I was smart enough”.
Goulburn. Their art is being collected for an exhibition at the local library and murals are to be painted in preparation for Australia Day.
In the past six months, the following courses have been conducted in-house by professional services and the results are as follows:
• 4 men received a Statement of Attainment in completing 80 per cent of a Certificate 3 course in Financial Budgeting
• 10 completed a two-day Certificate in Intravenous Health
• 8 men have completed the St Vincent de Paul Society Manual Handling course, as they wish to volunteer to fill in their days
• 5 men completed an IT Training Course over eight weeks in the Introduction to Computers and the Internet • 2 men received a Certificate in Food Preparation and Food Cooking
When we first meet our guests, most have low self-esteem and a belief that “I am worthless.”. Training is a key asset to assist the homeless, and most of these men have missed out on learning opportunities during their formative years. Thank God for Vinnies! Last Friday, one of the guests, who is 30 years of age, enquired about his certificate for completing the manual handling course, as this will be the first certificate he has ever received.
The home environment The philosophy of a home environment is the key to keeping all the personalities cooperating with the staff and guests. The men are all responsible for keeping the rooms and communal areas clean by being on a living skills roster. Through daily house meetings and dialogue, we work through any issues that arise. The success in working with the guests revolves around their active participation in decisions about their home environment.
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• The strengths, talents and inherent dignity of the men have come to the fore through Aboriginal art classes and working with the local council, as they are recognised and supported by the general community of
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Learning through the eyes of others S par k in g new life and learnin g for refu g ee c h ildren Refugee families with young children need support to help them claw back from the edge.
Australian society. It was established by the Migrant and Refugee Committee of the Society in NSW in 2006.
Through the SPARK Program (St Vincent de Paul Society Assisting Refugee Kids), Vincentians in NSW are helping newly arrived families to do just that.
SPARK is unique in that it operates within both the Catholic school system and in schools administered by the NSW Department of Education and Training. An after-school and activities club run in partnership with the primary schools; family support groups that include life skills and settlement support; community forums; and mainstream community awareness programs are all included in SPARK.
SPARK provides support in the form of educational, social and cultural programs at an early phase in the refugee child’s life in Australia, so that the child can more fully engage with
“I’ve learnt a lot from the parents in our family group program, especially their enormous capacity, resilience and optimism. In the face of so many difficulties in settling here, plus past traumas, grief and loss, the parents still have so much optimism and are so happy to be here. I’m also really inspired by the volunteers. The arrival of refugees and asylum seekers in Australia is a very politically charged issue and the media is full of negativity. Yet we have hundreds of people who give their time, energy and personality to work with newly arrived people in our community. That is inspiring.” Virginia, 29-year-old assistant coordinator of SPARK
“Living in an area far less multicultural than the areas we work in, I find the experience of working with participants from 25 nations an enriching one. I have learnt a lot about different cultures. I have learnt so much more about the refugee experience and am endlessly inspired by the resilience and optimism of the people we work with. It is also inspiring to see so many people who want to get involved with volunteering to help aid refugee settlement in Australia.” Micaela, 23-year-old SPARK program officer
The efforts of more than 250 volunteers from the ages of 14 to 89 enable SPARK to run each week in a dozen schools. Most of the children are from Sudan, Afghanistan, Myanmar, Iraq and Iran, and have been in Australia for fewer than five years. The children range in age from five to 12 years. Unintended outcomes While SPARK is focused on working with refugee children and their families at school and in the wider community, the people who deliver SPARK programs also learn from
the program. Interviews reveal what they have discovered about themselves and the world through their involvement with SPARK. A submission by SPARK to the Australian Human Rights Commission on housing and education issues for African Australians (2009) included a collection of drawings and descriptions of what a “place to call home” means to the refugee kids in the program. The examples we have included [ie in this annual report] are typical of the responses, as they are clear, articulate and optimistic.
“I’ve experienced the real team spirit of the SPARK team. It’s a comfortable, non-discriminatory working environment. The SPARK team gave me support, which gave me confidence to work with the kids. Kids are very innocent, friendly, willing to learn. They show me their drawings and paintings and explain them. It amazed me to hear their thoughts and their ability to explain and describe what they think. They don’t hide anything. They just say what’s on their mind. It’s give and take. These people give us a chance to learn (about them), then later we can give back (to other refugees/the community).” Atif, 31-year-old intern from Pakistan, studying for a Diploma in Community Welfare, who previously volunteered for SPARK
“I have learnt that the children depend on the volunteers a lot in this program and how much the community depends on volunteers to help provide support in numerous ways. I have learnt to appreciate other cultures and other age groups a lot more; working with people a lot older than me has allowed me to have more respect for those older than me, which I did not have before I began the program. The SPARK program has also helped me figure out what I believe in and what I wish to accomplish within the future. I believe (that) providing educational and friendship support for these refugee children is essential and I am proud to be a part of this program.” Stacie, 17-year-old SPARK volunteer team leader
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“I started volunteering because I wanted to get into tutoring. Catching the train ‘out west’, I saw for the first time an explosion of culture, colour, movement, food, street life, different shops, clothing, languages. It wasn’t gentrified and suburban. I wondered why it was so good and [prices] so cheap. I was exposed to new worlds, with kids from Sudan, Uganda, Sierra Leone, as I was at a significantly African school. So I had an African perspective of refugee issues. I learnt (from tutoring)
that I could be responsible and show leadership and initiative; be creative in how I do things in the world; that I could do meaningful things in the world. I learnt (from the kids) about resilience and coping. From their drawings I saw that they saw things that they shouldn’t have. The experience re-awakened my sense of social justice and understanding of human rights.” Tamara , 25-year-old SPARK volunteer tutor and team leader
SPARK participant, 8 years old
SPARK participant, 9 years old
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Multiplying the good T urnin g t h ou g h ts of M e into opportunities for T h em In this ME generation, we commonly hear: “What’s in it for me?” In the Northern Territory, the St Vincent de Paul Society turns this question around to ask: “What’s in it for them?” What’s in it for the people we assist, so that their lives can be improved in ways most meaningful for them? Before taking on a new project, or accepting funding or grants (for which we are exceedingly grateful), the Society in the NT asks this preliminary question: “What’s in it for them?” The question is then expanded to ask: “How can we maximise the effects of this funding and add value to this project for our clients? What are the greater outcomes that can be achieved by this project?” The Society is always looking for ways to spread the dollar further, especially in these times of economic restraint and increasing difficulty for so many Australian families and individuals, along with our governments and organisations. It is fantastic to receive finance to build a house that will keep a family off the streets, but what if we could add to this the possibility of engaging someone in meaningful work? Obviously, if this were achievable, it would be an even better outcome. In the Street to Home project sponsored by the Northern Territory Government, the St Vincent de Paul Society has been able to build a twostorey accommodation and office block. The aim was to 14
move people off the street, out of the long grass and under a roof, particularly in time for the onset of the wet season. Rather than simply employ a regular contractor to do this work, the Society sought a company that would provide the required product, as well as being flexible enough to allow those we help – our Vincentcare clients – to become actively involved. The building itself needed to be of a quality to sustain continual use, to comply with all the issues of tropical living: cyclones, water and heat; and also had to comply with development guidelines and issues associated with living under a flight path! However, the additional factor used in researching potential companies for this project was their ability to add value for some of the Vincentcare clients – allowing them to personally contribute to the building process. The successful contractor would need to provide not only the specific building compliance, but also the flexibility of allowing our clients to participate as valued labourers.
Top: Taking shape: two weeks after ‘John’ helped pour the first foundation. Bottom: ‘John’ (in singlet) hard at work assisting with the project.
The benefits of this approach have been clearly demonstrated in the life of one young indigenous man, ‘John’ who has gained both valuable work skills and a range of personal benefits through his involvement in this project.
shed, fixing furniture for the Society shops. He had also developed trusting relationships with the St Vincent de Paul staff. For the final hours of John’s community service, he worked with a Society staff member as a labourer, helping to prepare the site for building works for the Street to Home hostel construction.
With more than 180 hours of community service obligations to perform, 18-year-old John had been working in the Vinnies
Next, John began a trial period of work with the construction team to learn the basics of erecting a building, This allowed him to
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show his commitment and enthusiasm. He was working as part of the team creating a building to assist Darwin’s homeless – what a great outcome! This was the break that John needed and the interaction with the construction workers gave him the confidence to communicate and see possibilities for planning his own future. The Society was so pleased with John’s progress that it investigated options for
Asking the question, “What’s in it
for them?”
Top: Bakhita Centre, construction site to be completed early 2011. Bottom: The team supervising ‘John’ as he fixes the walls to the floor studs.
John, and, at the end of his Corrections commitments, the Society was able to place him on a wage and provide him with security of employment until the end of January 2011. His new workmates took him shopping for a tool kit so that he could work with them as an equal. The only request made of John was that he gave his commitment to the job. John, once unemployed and in trouble with the law, was now the first on site and the last to leave, working six
days a week. In addition, he has been asked to work for the company, TDC Constructions, on the joint Federal-Northern Territory ‘Strategic Indigenous Housing and Infrastructure Program’ (SIHIP), which he is keen to do when he finishes his obligations with the Society. Asking the ‘What’s in it for them?’ question on behalf of our clients is important. John’s success has been just one extra outcome in the course of the Street to Home
building project. Though small in the context of the great number of people who are battling life in the long grass or on the streets, it nevertheless will change lives through its flow-on effects, and ultimately contribute in large savings to government services and the community.
encouraged people like John to take control of their own destiny. We did this by seeking to maximise the effectiveness of our works. By providing the figurative ‘tools’ and skills for living a life of well-being and purpose, we can encourage people and send ripples of hope into the community.
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This story really brings home the realisation that small outcomes for one individual can multiply into greater outcomes for the whole community. Our work has shared hope and N AT I O N A L C O U N C I L O F A U S T R A L I A 2 0 1 0
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Listening so t h at w e l e a r n creatin g new possibilities
The Journey of Listening gathered people together across South Australia in 2010 to explore how the St Vincent de Paul Society can more effectively build awareness of our Good Works in the community and increase their effectiveness. The purpose of the Journey of Listening was to: “engage with the Society’s stakeholders to open up and increase our capacity to work with the broader community to strengthen our Conference, Family Centres and Special Works membership base and more effectively serve those most in need.” From Penola to Noarlunga, Port Pirie to Glen Osmond, Whyalla to Pooraka, Vincentians have shared their hopes, challenges and aspirations for the Society, engaging 551 participants at nine forums. Each region brought symbols of earth and water to be mixed into the melting pot of ideas from across the State. The prayerful lighting of the Journey of Listening candle emitted light onto the gathering of those contemplating a better world where all people are included.
The process engaged between 40 and 90 people in each of the forums. Participants were drawn from within the Society’s Conferences, Centres, Fred’s Vans, Migrant and Refugee Services, Homeless Services, Mini Vinnies, Youth and schools – both volunteers and staff. The broader community participated with representatives from local government, State politics, police, Country Women’s Association, TAFE, Catholic Education, schools in the public system, priests and staff from the Archdiocese of Adelaide and Diocese of Port Pirie, as well as field workers from a variety of community organisations. Key questions focused on the challenges of responding to the social needs of each area. In Port Pirie, participants heard of the enormous increase in the demands on Vinnies’ services compared with two years ago. From Whyalla, housing was named as the key challenge to be addressed in meeting local needs. From Bordertown, we learned of the critical response of the Society in re-settling 50 Filipino families into their
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new community. In the Riverland, we heard of the deep commitment to social justice of young students. In Noarlunga, we heard of the great challenge of loneliness and disconnection of the people who were visited. In each part of the State, conferences are responding to local needs in practical ways. Each day, volunteers encounter households where there have been generations of unemployment, where individuals are disconnected from their families and communities, where mental illness is prevalent and help seems inadequate. There’s been a certain pride in naming the variety of social circumstances to which the Society responds. At the same time, the enormity of the task, given the Society’s resources, is a very serious question in shaping the future of all the Society’s works.
The Society’s capacity to respond to these local needs through the conferences is being compromised by an ageing and contracting conference membership base. The challenge to find new ways of attracting members has been named in the forums as a key issue for the sustainability of the Society’s Good Works. In addressing this issue, and other issues named by participants, each region and conference has been charged with developing deeper discussions about how they would plan to move forward. At each of the forums, State President Dominic Lagana urged all participants to be creative in their thinking and to particularly be mindful of reshaping conferences in order to attract younger people. Four common themes that have emerged in the process from across the forums include: • The spirituality of the Society and its people needs to be further developed;
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• Formation and training are critical for volunteers and staff; • Social needs are at the core of the Society’s response; and • The Society has a powerful story that needs to be told more widely. Each forum has generated a high level of excitement and energy. Many have come not knowing what to expect, but leaving with a sense of pride in the Society, energised by the call of the mission to the disadvantaged, and with a greater clarity about the challenges to be faced. The Journey of Listening culminated in the Vinnies’ Summit at the end of 2010, providing an opportunity for all participants to gather in the one place, deepen the sense of commitment to the work of the Society, and advance strategies to address challenges and create new possibilities.
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1. Small group work. 2. Dominic Lagana, SA State President; Facilitators Sr Meredith Evans rsm and Marie Wood; John Haren CEO. 3. Helen Thacker, Calvary Hospital and Heather Carey, Chancellor – Archdiocese of Adelaide. 4. Journey of Listening participants at the South East forum held at Penola on April 14, 2010. 5. Rich symbolism: soils and lifegiving water gathered from points across SA to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the Beatification of Blessed Frederick Ozaman in 2007 were displayed. They link to our past and are the substance of who we are.
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Lessons from those we help C ompassion is its own reward at L aunceston ’ s M arillac House The trauma of illness and the shock of injury can touch anyone. Since it first opened its doors three years ago, the St Vincent de Paul Society’s Marillac House has supported Tasmanians during what can be some of the most difficult periods of their lives. This Special Work of the Society grew from the State Council’s vision to develop a much-needed accommodation facility in the north of the state, to assist people forced to travel for medical reasons, and their families. While our regional hospitals continue to be closed down, more and more people are being left in a position where they must travel for medical treatment and procedures that hospitals believe do not warrant admittance. These limited medical services, coupled with the spread of population across Tasmania, have forced many to journey long distances from home for the health services they require. In the short time in which it has been operating, Marillac House has been a welcoming, supportive and affordable ‘home away from home’ for more than 7,000 people from all corners of Tasmania, as well as for interstate and international visitors in need. Of those guests, 80 per cent have been referred directly from the major hospitals. Marillac House has given Vincentians the opportunity to assist those suffering the effects of ill health. We have learned that the emotional burden of being unwell, along with the uncertainty when faced with ongoing treatments and health 18
concerns, is something that can affect us all. We operate Marillac House to help those who are too unwell to travel, and those who require indefinite or lengthy periods of support and housing. Our services are also used by family members who have travelled from regional areas and interstate; this enables families to stay together. We see first-hand the strength of the family unit and the willingness of parents, children and extended family members to set aside their own needs to work through the challenges presented by ill health. Last year, we accommodated a family with three children under the age of five. The mother was undergoing longterm treatment and eventually required lifesaving major surgery. The family home was more than four hours’ distance away. Having already spent all of their savings to pay for a medical procedure necessary for the youngest child, they were faced with extended separation from each other. The Society was able to offer a temporary home and assistance for the father and each of the children, and additional accommodation for the grandparents, who helped the young family cope with the mother’s period of recovery. It is humbling to see that by extending compassion to our fellow human beings in a time of often overwhelming stress, we can help return to them the confidence to cope with these challenges and regain their sense of control. This compassion can range from financial assistance to meet travel costs, to a friendly voice
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able to share in frustrations or sadness.
even the gentleman’s recovery following a broken hip.
At Marillac House, temporary residents can share their worries and even unburden their load with people who find themselves in similar situations. The often overwhelming sense of loneliness and isolation can be lessened by relating with others.
There are many ways in which we can make a true difference in the lives of people. In addition to traditional works of the Society, new projects further spread the spirit of our organisation to those in need. It is always with prudence that the Society invests the resources bestowed upon us to undertake new endeavours. Throughout the establishment process and ongoing works of Marillac House, the presence of the Society in Tasmania has been highlighted. The idea of who we traditionally assist has been challenged over and over.
An older man trying to run a modest farm in rural Tasmania found himself unable to cope when his dependent, middle-aged daughter with an intellectual disability was diagnosed with cancer (the same form of cancer had prematurely taken his wife some years earlier). He battled through his daughter’s ongoing treatment for more than nine months, while living at Marillac House. During this time, our members were able to not only provide homely surroundings but to support the pair through the high-end emotional stress, the constant healthcare paperwork and
Recently, a newlywed couple travelled to Tasmania from Japan for what should have been the trip of a lifetime. While navigating our scenic yet treacherous roads, they were involved in a car accident. The young woman was left injured and unable to travel as planned. While
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their trip was well planned, they were managing within a tight budget. Further to their worries, they had not purchased additional insurance on the hire car and unfortunately were then burdened with a big repair bill. The couple was referred to Marillac House and we were able to accommodate them while the young woman recovered. We helped them find local services and acted as interpreter to the various groups with whom they needed to interact. Meanwhile, the young man sought casual labouring work and repaid the hire-car bill before they were in a position to move on. As with the countless numbers of people whom we have had the pleasure of helping, this young husband and wife were sincere in their gratitude, but it was us who were rewarded by seeing the difference that we, as Vincentians, can make in people’s lives.
With this the 350th anniversary of the death of St Louise de Marillac, we were pleased to place this Special Work under the patronage of this great saint.
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1. Marillac House, Brisbane St, Launceston. 2. Accommodation close to medical treatment makes a difference in the lives of people affected by illness. 3. Families are able to stay together at Marillac House. 4. The outdoor area at this ‘home away from home’. 5/6. Helping to create an atmosphere of welcome: Paul, Marlene and Pat.
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L e a r n i n g w h at m at t e r s for those we help V incent C are ’ s wor k in a g ed care and disabilit y emplo y ment services Aged care The St Vincent de Paul Society has been a significant participant in Victoria’s aged care industry for more than 30 years. VincentCare (the name recently adopted by the former St Vincent de Paul Aged Care & Community Services) continues this tradition through its seven aged-care facilities in Victoria. These are located in the country towns of Terang and Traralgon; at Hamlyn Heights in Geelong; and in Melbourne at Mont Albert, North Melbourne, Westmeadows and Box Hill. These include a nursing home for residents with high-care needs, hostels with Ageing In Place for residents with lowcare needs (enabling them to remain in the same place as care needs increase), and a Day Therapy Centre. We consider that VincentCare is at the forefront of residential care provision initiatives; it also has a demonstrated commitment to compliance to accreditation standards and industry best practice. At each of our facilities, there is a strong emphasis on developing a sense of belonging among our residents. Consistent with our Mission, we endeavour to support the aged and the frail, focusing firmly on respecting the dignity of each individual, and on the sharing of hopes, interests and aspirations by incorporating the Eden Alternative Philosophies of Aged Care in our practice. This philosophy is based on 10 principles to address common issues for seniors, such as loneliness, helplessness and boredom. 20
Our lifestyle programs play a significant part in our philosophy, and staff and volunteers work hard to incorporate various programs that enhance and enrich our residents’ lives. Activities such as gardening, which is enjoyed not only by those residents who participate, but also by other residents and staff members who take pleasure in the fruits of their labour, are common in our facilities. Residents report of their delight in mint sauce made with ingredients from their own herb gardens, while staff and residents enjoy fresh tomato sandwiches in the summer months. VincentCare’s General Manager of Aged Care, Joanne Edwardes, reports that residents at Bailly House, in North Melbourne, consider the vegetable garden to be a constant work in progress. “They recently had students and staff from a nearby school visit who were very impressed with the garden – especially the sensory element, with the great smells coming from the large herb collection,” she said. “The residents were so taken with the enthusiasm of the students that they took some cuttings and presented each of them with some to plant in their own gardens!” The VincentCare’s ‘family’ of companion animals has been another great hit with residents – and the menagerie now includes goldfish, canaries, three retired greyhounds, one cheeky kitten, many cats, two cockatiels, rabbits and, of course, any pets who visit along with family and friends.
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These animals provide a range of benefits, including serving as a motivator for residents to exercise mind and body, and are a great vehicle for strengthening the connection between staff and residents – often as they reminisce about their previous pets. Regular ‘Carers’ Nights Out’, where family and friends catch up over dinner in a relaxed atmosphere, are simple occasions that are proving to be greatly important in maintaining friendships, social networks and providing emotional support. Feedback on the nights is always positive, with people reflecting on what they take from the experience. “As I am now a widow and live by myself, these gatherings are extremely important to me,” said one of our carers. “The evenings provide a social occasion where I can dress up and spend time with a group of old friends.”
Weekly Tai Chi classes are also popular, helping to keep residents fit, improve balance and, most of all, providing a great deal of fun and enjoyment. Conductorcise, which involves the art of musical conducting, is another favourite, serving as a tool to encourage movement and engage the brain through the awareness of colours, conversation and the magic of music. It is also an energising workout for all who participate! Our annual Rock ’n’ Roll Nights and supper dances provide residents with opportunities to mix with family and friends in a wider, community setting. We also celebrate the religious, cultural and personally significant anniversaries and events that are important to each of our residents. “One of the most memorable cultural events held during the year was an ‘arm chair travel’ to Ukraine and Poland,” said Ms Edwardes.
“At the time, we had a respite client who’d been with us for only a few weeks and was proving to be challenging to deal with, always seeming frustrated and angry. As the travel session unfolded, we saw her face soften and a smile appear. In very clear English (which she didn’t normally use), she gently said, ‘My father used to take us to dances with this music when we were young’. It was amazing to watch; we knew it’d had a great impact.” Music therapy is also held regularly, with residents participating in singing, playing instruments or listening to music. Of course, the celebration of birthdays is a big event in each facility for many of the residents and their families. “While each birthday is a special milestone, there’s nothing like an 80th, 90th or reaching the century,” said Ms Edwardes.
Disability employment services VincentCare also provides an exciting disability employment program through its premier contract packaging and assembly operation, Ozanam Enterprises, in Mornington. This program offers training and employment to people who are living with a disability, in an effort to help them reach their full potential in the community. This service has been growing to meet demand, and Ability Day was celebrated at the end of 2010 with the opening of a large, new training room. Begun in 1976 with only 10 ‘clients’ but now offering training and employment for 60 people, Ozanam Enterprises has a total workforce of
90 people who provide production, packaging and manufacturing services to many major Australian and international companies located throughout Melbourne. “Our clients are people who are often marginalised in the broader community,” said Operations Manager, Chris Taylor. “But here they have a real sense of belonging, and [have] that sense of worth and purpose that we all get from the routine and responsibility of work.” Mr Taylor, who has worked at Ozanam Enterprises since 2008, reflected on the contrast between his current work environment and that of many corporate organisations. “The biggest difference is the attitude of the staff. They’re almost always really happy and cheerful. They’re extremely diligent workers. It’s a pleasure to watch people
who are so happy to be at work,” he said. “The clients have been watching the progress of the new training room over the months, so they’re very excited about it. It’s a big milestone and reflects the growth that’s already happened in the organisation but also what’s to come, so that’s really exciting. It will make life much easier for the clients and the staff as well, so there’s a real energy about the place.” A new program, Bridging the Digital Divide, will be launched to further aid social connections. It is being held in the new training room. The program will provide equipment and training to access the internet, and so dramatically improve the communication and social networking opportunities of clients, allowing them to engage more regularly in activities that, for the majority of us, are part of our everyday lives.
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Learning from those w h o h av e s o u g h t r e f u g e M atc h in g h ope , coura g e and determination wit h g ood wor k s Hope: one simple word that springs to mind when thinking about the many refugees and migrants who have survived horrendous experiences in their home countries to settle in Australia. Other words such as courage, strength and determination also apply to these incredibly brave people, with whom the St Vincent de Paul Society in Western Australia comes in contact through the work of the Refugee and Migrant Committee. Made up of incredibly compassionate and hardworking volunteers, the committee members provide a vital link for newly arrived people to the rest of the community during their first year in Australia. Their assistance is primarily in the form of household goods, emergency clothing and advocacy. However, due to the common complexities of their situation, more specialised assistance is usually needed. This often comes in the form of assistance with applications to the Department of Immigration and Citizenship for other family members or friends to travel to Australia, referrals to apply for interestfree loans to assist with these travel costs, the provision of food and food hampers throughout the year and a great deal of advocacy due to language and cultural barriers. Applying for a family member or friend to travel to Australia from abroad is expensive and quite often puts an immense strain on a family who might already be struggling to find their feet in their new home in WA.
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Applications to the Department of Immigration and Citizenship are costly: for example, $1705 in one category (quite often families can consist of more than five people in total). Members of the Refugee and Migrant Committee are able to access funds through interest-free loans from the Christian Brothers, Council of Churches, International Organisation for Migration and the West Coast Refugee Sanctuary Group that can assist families with these costs – which are then repayable over 24 months. To put this into context, a family of two parents and four children arrived in Australia from West Africa with a debt of approximately $15,000 in travel costs that they were immediately required to start repaying. Another example of the expense involved in bringing family members to Australia involved an uncle and his orphaned nieces and nephews. He was very new to WA himself when he found out his nieces and nephews were living in a refugee camp abroad. The five children ranged in age from four to 12 years, and were desperate to reunite with family in a safe and secure place. Once visas were approved, their uncle contacted members of the Refugee and Migrant Committee and told them about their situation. A total amount of $5,500 for the children’s travel costs was needed; however, their uncle did not have funds to cover this whole expense. Members of the committee were able to source the money needed
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Above: Refugee & Migrant Committee provide newly arrived people with household goods.
from a contact of theirs, based on a short-term, interest-free loan, to ensure the children could arrive safely in Perth. They also sourced a couple of bunk beds, clothing and toys for the children, and a washing machine and fridge for the growing family. The family are now together and can enjoy a happy life in their new surroundings. Committee members often comment on how grateful and humble newly arrived people are. This makes them reflect on their own lives and realise just how lucky they have been, never having gone through the life experiences of many of these people. Despite the challenges of learning a new language, integrating into a new country and much more, they have a great determination, strong faith and are very resilient in their quest to live a happy life with very basic amenities and, quite often, few possessions
brought from their home country. During the 2009-2010 financial year, the committee helped more than 2,000 adults and children with household furniture through the Integrated Humanitarian Settlement Strategy (IHSS) and 520 people with emergency clothing. They also assisted more than 600 people by providing food hampers and through their bi-annual Welcome to Australia picnics, where newly arrived families and
Left: Young volunteers and children having fun with face-painting at the Welcome to Australia picnic. Above: Hope is in the faces of all refugee children. Right: Face-painting is a favourite among kids. Below: Playing games at the Welcome to Australia picnic.
individuals come together for lunch and a day out. They are able to support one another in their new surroundings and have the opportunity to share their stories with other volunteers, school students, Society staff and members in a fun and friendly environment. The Refugee and Migrant Committee continues to support these inspirational people, offering the hope they need to carry on with their new lives in Western Australia.
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Children teaching us V innies camps provide a bri g h t li g h t for k ids “Spend time with children. Learn more about laughter, spontaneity, curiosity, acceptance, resilience, trust, determination, and your imagination. They are here to teach us!” Author Unknown Every school holiday period around Australia, hundreds of children experiencing disadvantage look forward to that bright light at the end of the tunnel: the upcoming Vinnies Camp. At the same time, fearless volunteers gear up to spend a few days of high-energy fun, serving these little people. The Vinnies Camps program is a residential care and respite program run primarily by youth and young adult members and volunteers of the St Vincent de Paul Society. Dedicated young volunteers plan, coordinate and lead the camps, aiming to add a little happiness, laughter and joy to the lives of children from their local communities. The camps also give respite to parents and carers in hardship. Referred by conferences of the St Vincent de Paul Society and by external welfare agencies, the children come from a wide range of backgrounds and have experienced varying forms of disadvantage, including poverty, severe financial hardship, domestic violence, foster care, grief and loss, abuse, family breakdown, or social exclusion. For many of these children, opportunities to be carefree kids – to leave the burdens of their day-to-day lives at home for a few days – are few and far between. For many of the new volunteers, the hardships 24
these kids are experiencing are difficult to imagine, let alone comprehend. In 2010, more than 800 children and teens attended the Vinnies Camps in locations across Australia, assisted by 597 volunteers contributing nearly 45,000 volunteer hours. The program is the passionate and enthusiastic response to a desperate need. The children are able to laugh, play, sing, dance, run amok and have fun – things that most Australians view as essential ingredients of growing up. In many parts of Australia, teen camps are also run, providing personto-person support for a range of issues facing disadvantaged teenagers. The volunteers are constantly in awe of the kids’ tremendous resilience and hunger to find joy in all things. The children are not afraid to try new activities and challenge themselves, even if it means moving outside of their comfort zones. Camps also allow the volunteers to serve their community, to grow, develop skills, and have fun. “Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.” Leo Buscaglia For the children who attend, the camps also promote personal growth, helping them develop life skills and enhancing their sense of value and worth. Often, many of the benefits stem simply from the kids being able to spend time
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with compassionate, caring and enthusiastic people who can act as positive role models in their lives – something they may not have experienced before. Volunteers quickly learn that their perspective on life changes as well. It is impossible to leave camp unchanged and, over time, volunteers learn as much about the world around them, the way they relate to others and the impact of disadvantage, as they do about themselves. The volunteers also learn the value of justice and compassion. There is insight into the lives and struggles of others, into the human condition, and into our own insecurities and fears. This leads not only to greater understanding of ourselves; it helps us understand and better respond to the needs of the poor. As the kids experience personal and emotional growth, volunteers see firsthand the true value of their
efforts to make a difference, even if it may seem only small. Camp volunteers experience what it means to serve the poor, in the way that only someone who loves the people they serve truly can. Camps typically run for 3-5 days. The daily program includes activities such as rock climbing, abseiling, swimming, high rope and low rope courses, raftbuilding, target-shooting, ball sports, mini-Olympics, arts and crafts and team-building games. Activities provide powerful opportunities to instil confidence, develop trust, foster teamwork, build self-esteem, and develop skills for social interaction with peers and young adults in a safe and encouraging environment. The kids are immersed in a variety of outdoor activities designed to challenge each child and push their personal boundaries, while allowing them to reach attainable goals. The children experience healthy lifestyle choices and a chance
to kick back, have fun, build confidence and try new things, while encouraging them to realise their potential to achieve anything. Many of these experiences come through the example of dedicated volunteers who model positive and healthy lifestyles and test their own personal boundaries in many of the activities. Sometimes it’s an achievement to get to the top of the ladder – rather than the end of the course – and that’s the message we try to convey to the kids. It’s important to set small goals and give it a go. In fact, often it’s the kids that make it look easy as they hop along a hightension wire that’s a mere 20 feet in the air! Reflecting on their most recent camp experience, one camp volunteer observed that:“at any time during the three-day camp it was quite rare to find a face without a smile, or to be able to get words in sideways as the kids exchanged stories of the fun days they’d had. From descending a ten-metre vertical wall to building and navigating a raft, the kids were willing to get stuck into it and often surprised themselves, as well as everyone else, when showing their skills and enthusiasm.” For most members and volunteers, camps are integral to their Vincentian journey. This notion is echoed in the words of a member who described his most recent camp as: “one of the more Vincentian experiences I’ve had – one of those times when you suddenly wake up and realise why you’re doing this, why you’re with Vinnies; where the Vincentian spirit feels almost tangible.”
The Society’s National Youth & Young Adults Representative, Sarah Crute, views the program as an extension of home visitation, that concept which the Society’s XIV President General José Ramón Díaz-Torremocha has called the “the classic expression of what is most intimate in our commitment.” She praised the extraordinary commitment and dedication of the young Vincentians who give so much of themselves and their time and talents in reaching out to kids in need. “Many members work tirelessly with their conferences for days and weeks and months to plan a camp. Our camp volunteers enter an environment that is often intensely demanding – physically, psychologically and emotionally. They are pushed to their own personal limits and face constant challenges in working with kids.” Another young Vincentian described the volunteers as: “...an amazing breed of people. They willingly and happily give of themselves and their infinite enthusiasm to provide an exciting and fun experience for the kids and the volunteers. At the heart of camp is a desire to nurture and love these kids that have experienced things in their life that no-one, let alone kids, should have to deal with. We know that we can make a difference... We can be the difference. We can play, we can laugh, we can listen and we can love. So we do. [The volunteers] give tirelessly to camp in the knowledge that they are providing a great support network, a shoulder to cry on, an ear to listen and a heart to love.”
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A Prayer for All Children We pray for children Who put chocolate fingers everywhere, Who like to be tickled, Who stomp in puddles and ruin their pants, Who sneak cake before dinner, Who erase holes in their homework, Who can never find their shoes. We pray for children Who never get dessert, Who have no safe blanket to drag behind them, Who watch their parents watch them die, Who can’t find any bread to steal, Who don’t have any rooms to clean, Whose pictures are not on anybody’s dresser, Whose monsters are real. We pray for children Who stare at photographers from behind barbed wire, Who can’t bound in the street in a new pair of shoes, Who never play ‘hide and seek’, Who are born in places we wouldn’t be caught dead, Who never go to the circus, Who live in an X-rated world. We pray for children Who bring us sticky kisses and fistfuls of dandelions, Who sleep with the dog and bury the goldfish, Who hug in a hurry and forget their lunch money, Who cover themselves with Band-Aids and sing off-key, Who squeeze toothpaste all over the sink, Who slurp their soup. We pray for children Whose nightmares come in the daytime, Who will eat anything, Who aren’t spoiled by anybody, Who go to bed hungry and cry themselves to sleep, And who live and move, but have no being. We pray for the children Who want to be carried And for those who must, For those who we never give up on And for those who don’t get a second chance. For those we smother… And for those who will grab the hand Of anybody kind enough to offer it.
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Learning there is no quick-fix N o beds for Q ueensland ’ s h omeless women
If you’re at risk of homelessness in Queensland, you’d better hope you’re male. Housing for women at risk of homelessness in Queensland has reached crisis point with only 43 emergency beds available for women, compared to 384 available for homeless men. St Vincent de Paul Society Queensland’s State Housing Manager Wal Ogle said with recent figures revealing a spike in the number of women living on the streets, the shortage was unacceptable. “The Australian Bureau of Statistics has reported a dramatic increase in females who are homeless compared to 30-40 years ago,” he said. “Brisbane alone has recorded an estimated 4000 women either living on the streets or in temporary housing. “The provision of housing for homeless women in Queensland is at a critical stage.” During the past financial year, the St Vincent de Paul Society in Queensland opened the doors of Hamilton ‘Hope’ House, to provide a safe haven for women in crisis, particularly those escaping domestic violence. In partnership with Divine Word Missionaries, the Society manages the former monastery that has now been set up to cater for 14 homeless single women – with the capacity to also house their children – as a transitional place to call ‘home’.
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Senior Housing Officer Lorraine Gorman, who has helped bring Hope House ‘online’, says the support needed for these fragile women has been immense. “The women who we are housing really are living in a state of shock at having slipped over the edge into homelessness,” Mrs Gorman said. “One woman, for example, suffers from chronic fatigue syndrome. She had a good job, was able to pay her rent, and then suddenly, due to illness, was not able to continue making ends meet. “And now, she’s working on getting her life back on track.”
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Refugee women living at Hope House, according to Mrs Gorman, face even bigger struggles. “Young refugee women take the brave step of leaving a violent relationship, only to discover that language and cultural barriers make finding crisis accommodation extremely difficult. “These barriers, coupled with the fact that there is next to no crisis accommodation for women in Brisbane, mean many more facilities like Hope House are desperately needed.” Brisbane Vincentian Jean Morgan has worked closely with the residents of Hope House in conducting
visitations, providing food, support and friendship. “What we are learning is that once people become homeless, for whatever the reason, trying to give them that ‘hand up’ is not a quick-fix situation,” she said. “As Vincentians, we need to provide that continued level of support to break down any barriers, and do our best to give them hope that their lives can, and will, get back on track.” Mrs Gorman says the Society plans to be able to support the women for as long as they require, by helping them transition from crisis accommodation and back into long-term housing.
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These are the times when we need, more than ever, to have our
hope before our eyes.
These are the times when we are called to act in love, which is anything but easy; when we are called to live out our faith,
which appears illogical according to the ways of the world.
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Our hearts being changed we need to become t h e students
East India – a world away Those we assist have the same hopes and dreams to provide for those they love as you or me. EARLY MORNING SUN streams into the little room and a man stands in the doorway, looking at his children as they sleep. He feels blessed beyond belief and yet he prays that this day he will be able to find a way to give his family a little more. There is hope; he feels it deep inside. This man is not an Australian man, he is a world away, but no different than any man who works hard and longs to provide more for his family. His name is Rajesh and he lives in an East Indian village. Rajesh will walk along a dusty track to work in his neighbour’s field today. His head is held high and there is a smile on his face. He feels so grateful for the opportunity. This area is very remote and there is not much land for cultivation. He will work hard all day for his neighbour and his earnings will be meagre. There is no air-conditioned office, there is no lunch break, and there is no water-cooler. By the end of the day, his feet will be tired, his hands worn, yet his heart still grateful for the opportunity. Gratitude Those we assist have great faith and a sense of community, amidst harsh circumstances. On the way home, Rajesh visits his local parish. Though it can be very dangerous for Christians in his area, he often does this in order to thank God for what he has been given. This evening, he has 28
been called by the Parish Priest to attend a special meeting. He can see the little church at the end of the dusty road, coloured in hues of orange and red from the setting sun. It looks peaceful and safe for a moment and he can see Brother John Baptista waiting out front. Wonder starts to build inside of Rajesh. There’s that hope he felt this morning rising up again. He quickly greets his brother, and moves inside to sit with the group of 20 people waiting. He finds Pradeep and Balaram and takes his seat beside them. There is a definite buzz in the air. The priest quietly takes his place in front of the group and announces that they have been gathered there today because he has good news. All of the hard work that went into raising the proposal for a ‘cow bank’ for their conference has proven worthwhile. Because of the many steps involved in submitting a project, it has been almost six months since they have had any news, but this has never concerned them. Their prayers have been answered and all they feel is gratitude to God and to their brothers and sisters in their twinned Australian conference. Each of the 20 families will receive two cows for the purposes of breeding and milk to sell. They will have their own livelihood now, and be able to make their own way. Purpose and dignity Those we assist have a sense of purpose and of dignity.
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The proud beneficiaries of a cow bank project.
It is a new morning, and Rajesh wakes early but he will not be working for a neighbour; he is his own man. He holds his head a little higher as he makes his way today, ready to put his whole self into the work of his hands. He feels purposeful. Rajesh has a real sense of dignity. Dignity defined is: 1. The quality or state of being worthy of esteem or respect. 2. Inherent nobility and worth: the dignity of honest labour. a. Poise and self-respect. b. Stateliness and formality in manner and appearance. 3. The respect and honour associated with an important position. What an important position is that of an honest, hardworking husband and father trying to provide for his family. Picture him. He is poised and stately with humble self-
respect, esteemed by his wife and children for the calluses on his hands and the dust on his feet. Vanuatu joy We can remember that the most seemingly insignificant contribution in our eyes can make a world of difference to those we assist. More than 10,400km away from Rajesh, in a little Vanuatu village, we meet Rosalinda and Meliana. They are best friends. Here comes Desmond too. He is always good to kick a ball around with. They begin to play. It is very early in the morning but they have been up for hours. Five-year-olds just cannot ‘sleep in’ when they have such a big day ahead. Is it because they are going somewhere special today? You bet! It won’t be long until Ms Noella comes and this will be their very first day of Kindergarten.
Top left and right: Kindy students of St Michael Conference, Laringmat Village, Vanuatu. Left: Little classroom in Vanuatu. Bottom: Conference members in India give thanks to God.
It was two months ago when proud parents told them that they would be part of a program called Assist a Student. When? School would have to start in April as the cyclone season would have passed and it would be cooler for the next six months. How? A sponsor in a place, not too far away, called Australia, has helped. What? They would have their own classroom with wood and bamboo frames, beautifully thatched out of natanggura leaves. They would also have their own paper, crayons and pencils and a good meal each day. There would be many, many more questions from these little minds.
in that place, not too far away, called Australia. They were sure that they would learn more about this place in their new class. They would also learn French and English, which would be additions to their language, Bislama, a form of Pidgin English and to Apma, the language of their village.
Each family sat at their table that night, big hands and little hands alike folded in thankful prayer for this wonderful gift that God had given them. They prayed for their sponsor
The day had finally come and the parents were so glad for many reasons. Two months is an awfully long time for excited little ones to wait. Parents aren’t so
different all over the world. The main reason, though, was the life-changing opportunity laid out before their precious babies. Would Rosalinda now go on to find solutions to environmental issues confronting her country, such as freshwater pollution, waste disposal or fish depletion? Would Meliana go to the University of the South Pacific in Port Vila and even study law? After all, she wins every case against her brothers and sisters at home! Would Desmond have a future as a paid consultant at Port Vila Central Hospital? The possibilities, the hopes and the dreams are now much greater than they were.
A few more kicks of that ball and the children stop. They can see her: finally, it’s Ms Noella! They look at each other and, as small as they are, there is a deep knowing in their eyes. Their future belongs to them, thanks to a sponsor in that place, not too far away, called Australia. We often hear that we should be grateful for what we have and that there are those less fortunate than us. We hear it but it rarely goes past our ears and into our hearts. We must get this; we must really try to understand and let the message penetrate our hearts, somehow. How? We can start by remembering Rajesh, his heart and his story. We can remember little Rosalinda, Meliana and Desmond with a heart full of joy, and we can sponsor a child. Let’s truly be grateful.
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Overcoming prejudice t h r o u g h e d u c at i o n B rea k in g down barriers in P a k istan
The St Vincent de Paul Societies of Australia and Pakistan share a strong bond through three educational projects jointly run in Hyderabad, in south-east Pakistan. The midwifery school, centre for academic excellence and youth development centre are an attempt to overcome some of the difficulties faced by many Catholic youth in Pakistan. The shared joy of the success of these projects, run by the Society of St Vincent de Paul in Pakistan and supported by Vincentians in Victoria, is a spark of hope against the oppressive conditions that many Pakistani people endure. Australian Columban priest Fr Robert McCulloch supervises the projects and is also the spiritual director to the Vincentian conference in Hyderabad. The projects have been highly successful and continue to flourish and expand. The St Elizabeth School of Midwifery
St Elizabeth Hospital in 2007. The results have been fewer deaths during childbirth in poor and remote villages, and the chance for young women from less developed areas and marginalised communities to advance their socio-economic positions by becoming qualified midwives for maternal, neonatal, and infant care. In 2010, 70 students trained at the school. It is linked into the work of the St Elizabeth Hospital, the sole medical provider for 12,000 people in the villages, through the maternity department and outreach program that provides the context for hands-on training of midwives. Graduates return to all parts of Pakistan and are directly involved through hospitals and village clinics in caring for women. In addition, the students also receive a good grounding in their faith from the religious sisters who tutor them.
More than 200 midwives have been trained at the School of Young women from distant Midwifery since it opened at the parts of Pakistan and
Hardworking boys from the Catholic Centre of Academic Excellence learning to become future positive Christian leaders.
interior Sindh reside onsite. By the time they complete their second and final year, students have developed into confident, competent young women. There are some male nurses, but only very few, and they have been going out and staying with the people affected by the floods as, in the Pakistan culture, only males are able to do this. Excellent results have been obtained in final examinations conducted by the Sindh Nurses’ Examination Board. In several instances, students have attained higher grades and distinctions in the
public Provincial Nursing Examinations than students from the exclusive Muslim schools. The School of Midwifery is unable to be self-supporting and continues to require funding assistance to carry out its work. It is accredited by the Sindh Nurses’ Examination Board and the Pakistan Nursing Council, and interacts with the Shah Bhittai Public Health Centre, a government institute for the training of Lady Health Visitors in Community Health in Hyderabad. Left: A newly trained midwife from the St Elizabeth School of Midwifery attending to a newborn baby. Right: Three of the enthusiastic young women currently in Midwifery training at the St Elizabeth School of Midwifery.
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Christians in places such as the civil service is illustrated by the former problem of corruption in examination results. Christians who did well in exams were denied access to universities when results were tampered with. This blatant injustice has been stopped. Culturally, it is the men who need to be in these positions of influence.
The Catholic Centre of Academic Excellence The goal of the Catholic Centre of Academic Excellence (CCAE), set up four years ago, is to provide a sustained environment where academically capable Catholic boys can be assisted to attain high academic grades and gain university entrance on merit (totally free on the government scholarship basis). With its focus on moral, spiritual and personal development, the CCAE aims to equip students to enter confidently into tertiary education, successfully complete their studies and ultimately move into opinioninfluencing positions and employment. It is the hope that they become positive leaders in the church in Hyderabad and an influential Catholic voice in Pakistan. The two obstacles that the CCAE seeks to overcome are family poverty and anti-Christian religious discrimination. The importance of having educated
The CCAE runs on a nonresidential basis. Enrolment is limited to 60 boys and young men to ensure that the goal of the Centre can be achieved; no financial charge is made. Boys attend the CCAE on weekday afternoons and their own schools in the morning. They receive afternoon tea and a substantial evening meal. Admission begins at Class Nine level and extends for the four years crucial for admission to higher education. Selection of candidates is based on academic results, a letter of recommendation from their parish priest and an entrance test. This ensures a ‘level field’ in the selection process. Each candidate must enter into a commitment and behavioural covenant that includes that he will maintain or improve his school exam results.
and current affairs; public speaking; newspaper reading, reading techniques, and study methods; IT skills; and personal development. Staff members visit the families of all students, and parents attend regular parent-teacher meetings to ensure their ongoing involvement in the education and development of their sons. Academic results have been excellent so far. The Director and staff are continually urged by the Bishop of Hyderabad, Max Rodrigues, to keep before the students the vision of committed service to others and to the Church – both now at CCAE, and in whatever field they may enter in the
future. The professionalism and enthusiasm of the Board of Governors ensures the continuity of direction for the Centre. The support of the St Vincent de Paul Society of Australia gives life to these boys and to the community. The Catholic Youth Development Centre Catholic young people give great hope for the future of the Church in Pakistan. However, so many are still left behind! Since arriving in Pakistan in 1978, Fr McCulloch has observed and assisted in the socially upward movement of many Christians through education and employment,
One of the diligent teaching staff supporting the young men at the Catholic Youth Development Centre.
Costs equate to A$58 per student per month. All teaching staff must be committed and practising Catholics, as the CCAE wishes its staff to be role models for the students. Special emphasis is placed on English speaking, writing, reading and comprehension; religious instruction; Urdu; general knowledge, including politics, history, geography
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Overcoming prejudice t h r o u g h e d u c at i o n B rea k in g down barriers in P a k istan
and their growth in personal confidence and manifest pride in their Catholic faith. He recalls an incident in October 2008, where Faisal, an 18-year-old youth, came to him after Mass in his parish in Hyderabad with tears in his eyes. Holding the Bible, he said: “Father, I can’t read this”. Faisal explained that his schooling had ended in Third Class after he was beaten severely by a teacher, and he showed Fr McCullough the scars from that beating. This incident prompted Fr McCulloch to open the Catholic Youth Development Centre (CYDC) in February 2009. In 2010, 36 young men aged between 16 and 24 studied at the CYDC. Young men who never attended school or dropped out early are taken through a three-year
A life of inequality The contrasting nature of the country’s extreme wealth and desperate poverty, as well as the classification and segregation of people according to their religion, sect, caste and ethnic background, makes Pakistan a society of great inequality. People are classed as either ‘clean’ or ‘unclean’, depending on their occupation and work. Many Catholic youth in Hyderabad hold jobs regarded as the most degrading and socially unacceptable, such as street-sweepers. Many young Catholics drop out of education in the primary 32
accelerated program that takes them from illiteracy to 10th Class/Matriculation. The young men are enrolled for examination purposes in a Hyderabad school. After matriculating, they are encouraged and guided to move into technical education, with the goal of obtaining secure employment and breaking out of the repressive discrimination that they have experienced throughout their lives. Education, moral guidance, personal confidencebuilding, religious instruction and sacramental preparation are all part of the program. Students have a full medical check-up on enrolment and vaccinations. Classes run on weekday mornings, allowing time for students to work before or after the sessions. For many,
years to support their families. Boys especially leave school early, undertaking menial roles that deny them their dignity and childhood, and leave them vulnerable to abuse. They are caught in a life-long environment of discrimination, based upon both religion and corruption. The situation for the girls is also bleak because, if girls do not go on to study, they will be married off. Once married and pregnant, many Pakistani women do not have the assistance of a trained attendant during childbirth (more than 70 per cent); this leads high mortality rates for both mothers and babies during childbirth. The semi-nomadic tribal
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the meal provided by CYDC is their only substantial meal of the day. The program has seen the students, taught by two young female staff members, acquire a thirst for knowledge and new way of social interaction and behaviour, overturning the usual talk about male domination of women in Pakistan. The annual running cost of the Centre is A$12,000. Working together for success Each of the projects is subject to proper accountability and transparency, and Fr McCulloch provides feedback to Victorian conferences and State Overseas Development Committee meetings during visits to Australia. What is being achieved in Pakistan is a real success
people of Pakistan are forced into agricultural work. As bonded labourers, these people are economically enslaved to landlords. Pregnant women are often forced to work in the fields to the very last days before delivery and small children forced to work beside their parents because landlords insist that every member of the family is responsible for the family debt; teenage girls and boys are subject to the sexual demands of landlords; holidays and rest time are unknown realities. The people live in primitive dwellings, never knowing when they will have to move to another part of the landlord’s land. The villages have no electricity or gas. Drinking
story, due in large measure to the Societies in Australia and Pakistan working in partnership. Each organisation retains its own identity; each could not have accomplished what has been achieved without the assistance of the other. The St Vincent de Paul Society may not have been established in Hyderabad if not for these needs and projects. But of course it was, through God’s will. The projects, adapted to the local situation in Pakistan, have allowed Victorian Vincentians to significantly contribute to projects that otherwise may not have happened. This has resulted in good publicity and raised the profile of twinning in Victoria. It is hoped that this will spill over into increased, new and ongoing support for these projects, which currently require A$90,000 per year.
water is occasionally available from a hand-pump but, most often, the water supply is from residual water after rains. Women walk kilometres to fetch water in clay pots, often tending to infants at the same time. Few children attend school. Those who do are forced to sit on bricks at the back of classrooms in the government schools and bring their own drinking water. They are told that they are ‘unclean’ and should not pollute the seats and water supply that the other children use. Government vaccination teams avoid these villages, since vaccinators consider that they and their equipment will become ‘unclean’ if they or the instruments touch the children.
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OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT How A ustralian V incentians partner wit h our nei g h bours overseas The term ‘twinning’, as used by the St Vincent de Paul Society, means the pairing of a conference in one country with a particular conference in another country. In this way, the Society addresses the greater needs of conferences in developing countries. Through twinning, members support one another spiritually, financially, and through mutual encouragement. Conferences in Australia are twinned with a conference in a developing AUSTRALIAN TWINS BY COUNTRY Country Bangladesh Cambodia Caroline Islands East Timor Fiji India Indonesia Kiribati Myanmar Pakistan Papua New Guinea Philippines Thailand Vanuatu Total Twinning Partnerships: Twinning Grants (A$80 each quarter) Easter/Christmas Grants Total Grants: PROJECTS Country Bangladesh Cambodia Fiji India Indonesia Myanmar Pakistan Papua New Guinea Philippines Thailand Total:
country in a spiritual partnership in which the two conferences agree to:
the International Twinning Manual.
• Share some small material support if it is required.
Twinning is our small contribution to world peace and understanding through cultural exchange among peoples. The twinning approach is all about partnership in development and global solidarity, rather than globalised greed.
Conferences appoint a twinning officer who is responsible for ensuring that the twinning relationship is maintained in accordance with
Poverty is a vicious cycle. In many Asia Pacific countries, poverty means talented individuals lack opportunities. Through education, people
• Pray for the members of their twinned conference and its work • Keep in contact through correspondence
Conferences Twinned 35 18 1 1 23 1437 295 1 70 67 13 248 128 9 2346 A$750,720 A$280,955 A $1,031,675
DISASTER RELIEF Country Haiti India Philippines Samoa Sudan Total: ASSIST A STUDENT Country East Timor India Indonesia Myanmar Pakistan Philippines Thailand Vanuatu Total:
develops self-esteem and skills, which in turn positively affect the whole community. Education is a key to enabling an individual to support themselves, their families and their communities independently in the future. The Assist a Student program provides the funding for an education scholarship to train and educate a student for one year. The following figures apply for the 2009-2010 Financial Year
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Amount Given (A$) 161,000 90,000 90,000 32,550 135,000 A$508,550
Students Sponsored 148 1100 923 460 500 900 900 34 4965
Amount Given (A$) 19,500 1,779 800 77,224 6,810 2,260 28,063 22,160 7,181 23,672 A$189,449
N AT I O N A L C O U N C I L O F A U S T R A L I A 2 0 1 0
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Society Financial & property resources A t t h e service of disadvanta g ed australians
People-in-Need Services
Centres of Charity
Mental Health Services
Homeless Services
Provision by conference members on a one-to-one basis of:
Vinnies properties owned by The Society, enabling: • people in need of help to make contact with the Society • the provision of people-inneed services • the receiving and processing of donated goods • the sale of donated goods surplus to the provision of people-in-need services.
Assistance to people living with mental health problems to obtain: • professional services • volunteer friendships for social activities • training and productive work in supported employment facilities.
Facilities owned and leased by the Society, providing for homeless women, men and families: • accommodation, meals, clothing • medical and dental services • legal assistance for victims of domestic violence • services for people with alcohol and drug addiction problems • training and learning services to encourage and assist homeless people to return to independent living with security and dignity.
• food, clothing, household goods, furniture • accommodation and rental assistance • assistance with utilities and transport expenses • medical, dental and allied needs • school clothing, school fees • legal and related assistance • representations to Centrelink and other government entities
Funds raised by the sale of goods are applied by conferences and councils to the delivery of services for the poor and disadvantaged.
• companionship and friendly assistance on personal and family matters.
Aged Care Accommodation and services for aged people in need of lowto high-care in Society-owned and leased premises: • independent living units with access to care services • home care services.
Funds raised through these facilities are applied to delivery of the services.
Audited Financial Statements The St Vincent de Paul Society has eight state and territory legal entities. Each is incorporated under the relevant Associations Act and produces its audited annual accounts in accordance with the relevant statutory requirements. The following page presents key aspects of their aggregated accounts.
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N AT I O N A L C O U N C I L O F A U S T R A L I A 2 0 1 0
5%
0%
Income 2009-2010
27%
17%
$271,839,359 Government grants Sale of goods Client contributions
5%
Fundraising Other income Changes in value of investment
46%
Expenses 2009-2010
21%
32%
$266,467,422 Sale of goods Administration Fundraising Impairment of held-to-maturity investments
8%
People in Need Services Aged Care Services 10% 27%
0%
Homeless Services
2%
Application of Current Property, Plant & Equipment Assets
$412,049,833 Land & buildings Plant & equipment
0.18% 0.81% 0.47% 2.90%
Motor vehicles Computer hardware Furniture & fittings
2.99%
Office equipmen t
92.64%
N AT I O N A L C O U N C I L O F A U S T R A L I A 2 0 1 0
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...these are our people. These are the people in whom we are called to see
the face of Christ.
Let us never be afraid to stand with them. Let us never be afraid to speak out for them. Let us never betray them.
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N AT I O N A L C O U N C I L O F A U S T R A L I A 2 0 1 0
Above everything else,
listen to our sisters and brothers
we must
who are downtrodden and excluded. We must learn from these sisters and brothers.
We must take their side.
National Council of Australia, PO Box 243, Deakin West, ACT 2600. www.vinnies.org.au