A PUBLICATION FOR SOCIETY MEMBERS, VOLUNTEERS AND S TA F F
St Vincent de Paul Society Victoria Inc.
Newsletter 247 | September-October 2010
Spring Racing This year we have again embarked on a campaign to promote Vinnies Centres as a great place to buy outfits for the Spring Racing Carnival. You will see it appear in the media featuring Jo Stanley (pictured) from the Fox FM breakfast show in some fabulous outfits, sourced completely from Vinnies Centres. A fast emerging fashion trend is more and more race-goers are heading into Vinnies Centres to find unique, stylish outfits that don't cost the earth. General Manager of Vinnies Centres in Victoria, Garry McBride says both guys and girls are realising that fashionable race-wear does not have to cost a fortune. "Fashion conscious bargain hunters have long been in pursuit for vintage, retro and designer items at Vinnies Centres, but spring racing is a perfect time for those who don't often embrace pre-loved pieces to try something new and bag a bargain. “Demand for racing essentials such as suits, dresses, hats, fascinators, bags, belts and shoes continue to grow and sale of these items have gone up 17% during August to October, the leadup to spring racing season over the past three years. "Shoppers can express their own individual flair and stand out in the crowd for a fraction of the cost - plus they can rest assured that fellow race-goers won't be sporting the same look. "It's a winning trifecta of affordability, an exclusive outfit and a contribution to help the community, and it is all found in the one place. Shoppers will also discover that hidden treasure will not only impress on the track, but can be a lot of fun," said Garry. Vinnies Centres assist the St Vincent de Paul Society to provide material goods, financial aid, practical support, counselling and referral services to more than 660,000 Victorians in need each year.
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U P D AT E
State President ’s Update BY TONY TOME Dear fellow Vincentians, Since the last Societynews publication I have attended the Eastern Central Council Festival Mass and the commissioning of Michael Liddy as Eastern Central Council President, as well as the commissioning of Conference Presidents and new members. I also attended the Northern Central Council Festival Mass and commissioning of Regional and Conference Presidents. On Sunday 5 October I attended the 100th Anniversary of the Yarraville Conference at St Augustine's Parish Church, which has just been restored as part of its centenary year. During the month I attended the seventh Pan Asian Congress of the Society in Goa, India from 13-17 September. The Congress, held every four years, brings together delegates from Australia, New Zealand, Tonga, Fiji, China, Malaysia, Singapore, Korea, Japan, Thailand, India, Myanmar, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Bangladesh, Kiribati, Cambodia, Vietnam, Philippines and Sri Lanka. Topics discussed and workshops focused on Twinning, Social Responsibility, The New Poor, Spirituality, Youth and HIV/AIDS. Each workshop had as its theme an international project related to the topic, eg What role could young Vincentians and volunteers have in a practical international project that serves the needs of and listens to the poor? The next Congress, PANASCO 8, will be held in Malaysia in 2014.
Society Honours Jim Grealish Congratulations to former State President and long serving Beaumaris Conference member Jim Grealish on being conferred the Papal Honour of Knight Commander of St Gregory by Pope Benedict XVI. Archbishop Denis Hart conferred the honour to Jim at St Patrick's Cathedral on Sunday 29 August 2010. Peter Johnstone Congratulations also to Peter Johnstone, Chairman of the VincentCare Victoria board of directors, who was awarded an OAM in the Queen's birthday honours in June this year for services to local government and to Jesuit Social Services.
The Vinnies Youth Ball was held on Friday 10 September and was again a great success. The organising committee is to be congratulated on the great work they do each year to make this event a success. Deacon Nicholas Pearce was ordained a Priest on Saturday 11 September at St Patrick's Cathedral and celebrated Mass for the Staff, Volunteers and Friends of the Society in the Chapel at Gerald Ward House on Friday 24 September. Fr Nicholas was a former Youth Representative on State Council and continues his links with the Society as a Spiritual Advisor to the State Youth Team. He also sits on the State Youth Formation Committee and participates in Society events whenever he can, last year joining us for the St Vincent de Paul Society Annual Golf Day.
Prayers are requested for... Deceased Members, Volunteers, Family and Friends Kathleen Allsopp Wife of Harry, ex-member of Blackburn South Conference Tony Brennan Ex-Member, Croydon Conference John Cox Ex-Member, Maffra Conference Frank Dalton Father of Brian, CEO of the St Vincent de Paul Society & Member of Altona & St Francis’ Conferences John Davis Ex-Member, Maffra Conference Molly Egan Founding member, Cobden/Simpson Conference Pat Fogarty Wife of Brian, Ashburton Conference Bill Love Volunteer, Mooroopna Centre Nan McKessy Ex-President, Kilmore Conference Peter Murphy Member, Hawthorn Conference Joan Noonan Volunteer, Mooroopna Centre Jack Sleeth Volunteer, Mooroopna Centre John Wain Brother of Jan Placentini, St Albans West Conference William Wain Father of Jan Placentini, St Albans West Conference To ensure correct acknowledgement please forward any requests for prayers to Philip Mackey by phone on 03 9895 5837 or email philipm@svdp-vic.org.au.
Bryan Jongebloed Congratulations to long serving Melton Conference member Bryan Jongebloed who was awarded the Benemerenti Medal on Saturday 28 August 2010. The Papal medal was presented by Archbishop Denis Hart and is conferred on people who have demonstrated long and exceptional service to the Catholic Church, their families and their community.
Let us know... Details of any other award recipients can be forwarded to PR’s Stephanie Puls on: stephanie.puls@svdp-vic.org.au
U P D AT E CHRISTMAS APPEAL 2010
Welcomes & Appointments
Help make tomorrow a better day This Christmas we spoke to many Australians suffering hardships and asked them to share with us what a day in their life is really like. Some told us what a day is like living homeless on the streets. Others suffering mental illness told us of their anguish and social isolation. Families told us of their daily struggle to feed, clothe and shelter their loved ones. One common theme to emerge from listening to these people was that crippling financial problems are nothing compared to the emotional grief and anguish such hardship brings. Key to bringing people hope is the fact that our members and volunteers respond to calls for help by going out to visit people in crisis in their own homes. Very few organisations in Australia do this but we believe it is crucial and provides an immediate lifeline. Simple things like sitting down, having a cup of tea and talking people through their options can bring hope
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where despair prevailed. We chat with lonely men and women who may not have another visitor during the week and as their stories show, this makes a tremendous difference to their lives. To find out more visit vinnies.org.au
Ben Burrows VincentCare Victoria has recently welcomed a new team member in the role of General Manager Risk Management & Continuous Quality Improvement. On 4 October 2010, Ben Burrows joined the senior management team to take up the significant challenge of leading the development and implementation of VincentCare's Risk Management, Clinical Governance, Business Continuity Framework and Quality Framework. Welcome Ben. Anne Tuohey Existing staff member Anne Tuohey has taken up the role of General Manager Social Policy & Research for VincentCare Victoria. This new role will enable a more strategic approach to policy and research as well as opportunities for advocacy across aged care, disability and community services. Anne will also work with Gavin Dufty in his role of Policy and Research Manager for the St Vincent de Paul Society to achieve the best possible outcomes across the whole organisation.
Dandenong Conference Compeer’s Regional Rep I was appointed by the St Vincent de Paul Members recognised Recently Society's National Council to be the Regional Dandenong Conference members Maria and Ernie Mastrionni were recently recognised for their contribution to the local community in the Greater Dandenong Weekly. The following is an excerpt from the article that featured in the 27 September edition: "People like Ernie and Maria Mastrionni are what make a community tick. A life-long dedication to helping others and a goal to get the most out of life make the humble Dandenong couple an inspiration… “Perhaps the best way to sum up the pair's philosophy to life can be found in Mrs Mastrionni's favourite quote from American poet James Lowell. “It's not what we give but what we share, for the gift without the giver is bare."
Representative for Australian Compeer Programs to Compeer Inc. This position assists the coordination of information exchanged between Australian Compeer Programs and Compeer Inc's administration in the USA. The position encompasses a role of guidance and assistance for new programs as well as established ones. Essentially it is about supporting Australian programs to fulfil their Affiliate requirements within the local context. Similar demographics between the USA and Australia mean that the Compeer Program translates well to the Australian context, but there are always regional differences between Australian states and even between urban and regional areas. The Compeer Program needs to fulfil its core roles with sensitivity to local conditions. I work in conjunction with the New South Wales state coordinator Loretta Nichols, who also represents NSW with Compeer Inc. With increasing recognition of the importance of friendship and social inclusion on health and wellbeing, Compeer provides simple but powerful support for people who experience serious mental health issues. Dr Ann Tan Manager, Compeer Programs Victoria Australian Compeer Regional Representative
U P D AT E Sunshine Learning Together Update
Red Cliffs | Independent Living Units Red Cliffs near Mildura in North Western Victoria has a lack of affordable housing and insufficient public housing. Because of this many elderly locals in the area are homeless. The St Vincent de Paul Society is helping this situation by building nine new Independent Living Units in Red Cliffs. The three two-bedroom and six one-bedroom units include private yards, communal gardens and car parks and will house up to 12 elderly tenants who are disadvantaged and would otherwise be homeless. Tenants will be supported by our members and volunteers who will keep them connected to the local community and help them with daily activities. Building on this project is moving quickly with the brickwork now finished. The next month will see the plastering and landscaping of the gardens completed. Fundraising is also proceeding well with the local community and a number of charitable trusts, foundations and service groups getting behind the project. We are still looking for project funding and also for appliances such as dishwashers for the units. If you can help, please contact Lucy Menting, Fundraising Coordinator on 03 9895 5800.
We were delighted to receive an update on the Sunshine Learning Together project recently. Participants have been learning about Australian culture and foods. Mothers and children have been enjoying cooking together and tasting new things. They have been learning about accessing local resources including the local library which has meant an increase in reading and therefore improved English language skills which they have all found valuable. There has been an increase in the number of participants which is a great sign that the project is indeed meeting community needs. Parents report that they are happy because of the healthy eating ideas received at the sessions, which they can then use at home with their families. Maurie Taylor Program Coordinator
Calendar Dates Kevin Sherry turns 90 We have a founding member of our conference here at Blackburn who recently turned 90. He is Kevin Sherry, a still very active member with 46 years exceptional service. The first conference meeting at Blackburn was held on 3 March 1964, at which Kevin was present and took the role of Treasurer. Kevin has held every executive position at Blackburn and worked tirelessly over those years. Currently Kevin liaises with all the local schools including coordinating their donations of toys and food at Christmas; arranges birthday and Christmas presents for children in families being visited by the conference; leads a team of conference members who play bowls with people from a local hostel and of course does home visitation work. Few, if any, conference members would take on a workload such as Kevin's over the years. He is exceptional and we are most fortunate to have him at Blackburn. Congratulations on this milestone, Kevin. Wal Stevens Blackburn Conference President
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Mass for Deceased Members Tuesday 9 November 2010 Annual General Meeting Saturday 13 November 2010 State Youth Festival Mass & Christmas Party Sunday 28 November 2010, 3pm Carmelite Monastery 94 Stephenson Street, Kew & BBQ, Studley Park, Kew from 5pm until late Vinnies CEO Sleepout 2011 Thursday 16 June 2011 Contributions to Societynews are always welcome. Email: stephanie.puls@svdpvic.org.au or send to: The Editor Societynews St Vincent de Paul Society Locked Bag 4800 Box Hill Vic 3128 Phone: 03 9895 5800 Fax: 03 9895 5850 We endeavour to include as many items as possible in each issue.