A PUBLICATION FOR SOCIETY MEMBERS, VOLUNTEERS AND S TA F F
St Vincent de Paul Society Victoria Inc.
Newsletter 249 | January-February 2011
Natural disasters strike home
Current extremes in our weather are resulting in hardships being experienced by many Australians. While Queensland has been hardest hit with flooding of catastrophic proportions as well as Cyclone Yasi, here in Victoria we've faced flooding and bushfires in close succession. In Victoria, over 75 towns have been impacted by the floods. Where the Society has a presence on the ground in affected areas, our volunteers have already mobilised to assist those who are in need. The Victorian
Flood Appeal launched and a letter was recently forwarded to donors as we continue to raise funds in an attempt to keep up with demand. Despite the growing financial pressures we all face, the Society are so grateful for the generosity of people who have donated what they can. Vinnies Centres have also been inundated with donations and our volunteers continue to work tirelessly to keep up. All Australians faced with these challenging circumstances are in our thoughts and prayers.
Serving up Christmas with a smile... The Christmas Appeal ran again over summer with a strong reaction from the public. The every day family situations struck a chord with the public, who continued to donate despite the rising cost of living. Thank you to everyone who contributed to the campaign financially, as well as those who promoted it in their local parishes and communities. Our work at Christmas also included traditional Christmas lunches at our homeless services, Ozanam House and Ozanam Community Centre. A full spread of roast meats with vegetables and gravy smelt delicious as it left the kitchen headed for the 300 hungry and grateful recipients who had gathered to share the special meal together in the two locations. Pudding and good cheer followed, with Father Christmas handing out presents to people as they left.
ď ° Ozanam Community Centre Ozanam House
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U P D AT E
2011 Ozanam Lecture Join us at the 14th annual Ozanam Lecture
State President’s Message
Dear Fellow Vincentians, Volunteers, Staff and Supporters, Date: Thursday 24 March 2011, 7pm I trust that you all had a wonderful Venue: St Francis Church time over Christmas with family Cnr Elizabeth & Lonsdale Streets and friends. I had a break, from Melbourne Christmas Eve till 17 January. Lecturer: Rev Fr Desmond de Sousa CSsR The New Year has not started Redemptorist Priest & member of well for the many people affected Congregation of the Most Holy by the widespread devastating floods that have occurred in Redeemer in India for over 50 years Queensland, New South Wales, Tasmania and Victoria. Our emergency relief people, in consultation with Regional Respondent: Maria Minto Cahill Council Presidents, are responding on a local level to Membership & Development requests as they come in. Advisory Committee In response to the floods, we have launched the Victorian St Vincent de Paul Society Victoria Flood Appeal. Donations to the Flood Appeal will assist RSVP: Monday 14 March 2011 people and communities affected by floods now impacting Phone Reception on 03 9895 5935 on large sections of Victoria. Light refreshments will be served from 6pm in St Francis When the water goes down we will still be there. Pastoral Centre. Parking at the St Francis Car Park is Financial donations are the easiest way to make sure we available until 9.00pm. Parking tickets must be validated. can quickly provide assistance to those who desperately need it and help people to get back on their feet. Donations can be made via the Deceased Members, Volunteers, Family and Friends website at www.vinnies.org.au Teresa Abraham Ex-Member, Ferntree Gully Conference Hugh Bourke Brother of Eric, Oak Park Conference The last State Council meeting was Patricia Dickinson Wife of Ted, Manifold Heights Conference devoted to revisiting and upgrading Ray Ellingworth Past Member, East Bentleigh Conference our strategic plan to 2015. We looked Kath Franke Member/volunteer, Kerang/Murrabit Conference/Centre at what we have achieved and what John Heanue Member, Burwood Conference we did not achieve from the previous Agatha Kinsella Ex-Member, Highett Conference, and widow of ex-State plan (2009-2013). We assessed our President, Bill Kinsella Donald McCalman Member, Oak Park Conference current situation with regard to our Elizabeth Moore Ex-Member, Queenscliff/Ocean Grove Conference & strengths and weaknesses. We have Volunteer Manager, Queenscliff Centre reassessed our goals, and our Damien Mulroy Member Jordanville Conference opportunities and threats to reaching Tess Myers Member & sister of Margaret Oates, Lilydale Conference those goals and our strategies to Denise O’Connor Widow of Frank, Mentone Conference achieve our goals. Patrick O’Hara Member, Numurkah Conference Alice Robertson Member, Wendouree Conference Particular emphasis was given to our Moya Robinson Member, Armadale Conference financial goals to 2015. We now need Noel Ryan Member Ferntree Gully Conference to look at action plans to achieve our Josephine Schembri Volunteer, Vinnies Centres Port Melbourne & Lalor strategies. A further meeting will be Martin Schroeders Daylesford Conference held to finalise the plan. Frank Shaw Member, Leongatha Conference Margaret Taylor Volunteer, Vinnies Centre Sunbury Don't forget the annual Ozanam Syd Tutton National President, St Vincent de Paul Society Lecture at 7pm on Thursday 24 Br John Webster Secretary, Wendouree Conference March 2011 at St Francis Church, Seriously Ill Members, Volunteers, Family and Friends Corner Elizabeth and Lonsdale Gerald Butler Member, Wendouree Conference Streets, Melbourne. Light refreshEileen Caelli Volunteer, Wendouree Conference ments will be served in the Pastoral John Cahill Member, Geelong Conference Centre at 6pm and there is also a Daryl Clark Volunteer, Wendouree Conference 5.30pm Mass at St Francis. Maureen Daly Member, Wendouree Conference Nicholas Dureau President, Glen Huntly Conference Nominations for the election of the Matt McMahon Member, Geelong Conference new National President closed on 31 Alan Ryan Volunteer, Wendouree Conference January and there were five nominees Maree Sexton Wife of Justin, Geelong Conference put forward. The election will take To ensure correct acknowledgement please forward any requests for prayers to place at the next National Council Philip Mackey by phone on 03 9895 5837 or email philipm@svdp-vic.org.au. meeting on 19 March 2011.
Prayers are requested for...
U P D AT E RED CLIFFS ILUS Bishop Connors and State President Tony Tome opened nine Independent Living Units (ILUs) for elderly locals at risk of homelessness in Red Cliffs in December. Recognising the need in the local area, the Society funded the units, which are designed so that residents can remain independent. The design allows this independence but also facilitates much needed and valued opportunity to socialise for those who wish to do so. Tenants have a lifetime lease and pay a portion of their income in rent, set at a level which will not compromise their pension.
At the time of the opening North Western Central Council Vice President, Mr Bob Pollock, said "We're thrilled to be celebrating the opening of the units. Waiting lists for housing in the area aren't getting shorter, so the demand for this project is certainly there. The units are secure and affordable, things that many of us take for granted." To be eligible for one of the units, a person must be over the age of 55, on a Centrelink pension and have minimal assets. The units have five star energy rating which helps to reduce the costs to tenants, who will pay their own utility bills.
Three Gens On 19 November 2010 during 6pm mass at St Joseph's Church Red Cliffs, Barry Pollock was commissioned as the Regional President for the Sunraysia Region of the St Vincent de Paul Society. His wife Maureen was commissioned as the president of the Red Cliffs Conference and their daughter Danielle McCarthy was acknowledged as a conference member. Barry's parents Bob & Pat Pollock have been stalwart workers for the Society for many years and Bob has been instrumental in establishing Mildura’s Vinnies Budget Grocery and the newly finished Independent Living Units in Red Cliffs. Sr Rosemary Graham
INFORMATION
SESSION
Wills & Powers of Attorney
(l to r) Bishop Connors, Society State President Tony Tome and VincentCare Board Chair, Peter Johnstone
Gift2Asia to establish meals program VincentCare was recently granted US$100,000 by Give2Asia to start up an evening meals program at Ozanam Community Centre. The program will begin in May and assist approximately 100 people per evening with meals as well as other support such as health, housing and legal assistance. With additional corporate and philanthropic support it can be expanded. For more information contact Claire Nettley, Major Donor Coordinator on 03 9895 5877.
Sureway Employment gift assists Bendigo In November 2010, Sureway Employment donated $3,000 to the Bendigo Conference for Christmas hampers for local families in need. Sureway is a work experience agency who provide volunteer participants at the Bendigo Centre (the program was formerly known as 'work for the dole'). They are great supporters of the organisation and we thank them for their generous donation.
The Society is hosting an information session on Wills and Power of Attorney. It will be presented by a lawyer specialising in wills and estates and include topics such as the formalities of preparing a will, intestacy, common pitfalls, choosing an executor, distribution of personal chattels, changing a will, contesting a will, assets not covered by the will, special needs of beneficiaries, maintenance of records, powers of attorney and guardianship. The presentation will be followed by time for questions. Members are warmly invited to attend. The session is also open to donors and other Society supporters. Where: St Vincent de Paul Society 43 Prospect Street, Box Hill When: Friday 18 March 10.30am - 11.30am RSVP: Is essential as numbers are limited.Call 9895 5800 and leave your name, the number attending and a contact phone number. For further information contact Sue Pitt on 03 9895 5821 or suep@svdp-vic.org.au
U P D AT E N u r s i n g H o m e Tr o u b a d o u r s
Two septuagenarians, Blackburn South Conference members, Bill Goodwin and Terry Wells, visit 1011 nursing homes and hostels each month, entertaining residents with mini-concerts that last for an hour and comprise about 25 songs, most of which are known to those listening to the concert. Bill plays the keyboard and Terry sings. The concerts are attended by 10-30 people, the majority of whom are confined to wheelchairs or mobile beds. Residents are invited to join in the singing, tap their feet or get up and dance if they so desire. Some do join in but often many appear to be asleep. However on closer
inspection they are seen to be moving their lips, fingers or toes in time to the music and this makes the whole effort most gratifying to the performers. The residents are always happy to see Terry and Bill when they return. The venues vary. Four are run by the Catholic Church, including three run by the Society, three by other denominations and four by private organisations. Occasionally there are one-day-stands. Last year the they performed 114 times. Bill drove over 25,000 kilometres, carting his keyboard, amplifier, music and Terry. Well done Terry and Bill - ED
Farewells & Welcomes In Vinnies Centres, we said farewell to Kerry Rohrich after almost ten years of faithful service. Kerry is a Centres stalwart and will be missed by those who had the pleasure of working with him. Michael Rawlinson takes over as Retail Operations Manager from his role as an Area Support Manager, which will be filled in due course. We also said a fond farewell to General Manager of Policy and Research for VincentCare, Anne Tuohey and General Manager of Facilities, Assets and Procurements, Ray Kelleher. We wish both Anne & Ray well as they move on to new challenges and thank them for their significant contributions to the organisation. We welcome Livia Carusi who has commenced in the role of Mission Integration Officer in the Membership & Development team. In Finance we welcome Eva He to the role of Management Accountant as well as Christelle Perez and Nicole Robinson who have also been appointed as team leaders at our two family violence services.
Amalgamation in Geelong St Margaret's Conference at East Geelong were experiencing an increasing number of calls for help and a decrease in members able to respond in the East Geelong area. Therefore the decision has been made for St Margaret's Conference to amalgamate with St Mary's, Geelong Conference commencing in 2011. St Margaret's Conference has been continuously functioning for the poor in the East Geelong area for over 50 years. A 'finishing up'/Christmas dinner was enjoyed by conference members at the home of the President. Brian Chandley Retiring President
U P D AT E
Syd Tutton, National President of the St Vincent de Paul Society in Australia and former Victorian State President, died in the early hours of Sunday 12 December 2010. He died at the age of 73, having recently been diagnosed with cancer. Syd lived, and died, as a fighter for social justice. For him this was what it meant to be a man of faith. Following the example of Jesus, 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. Born in Richmond, 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. In Richmond 1958, he founded one of the first credit unions and also served as the vice-chairman of the board of the Hospital Benefits Association. Syd had a remarkable ability to enthuse and energise those around him. His interests ranged from cricket to the Loyola Musical Society, where he met and fell in love with Josephine Reay. They married in 1966 and had six children and 10 grandchildren. 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 involved in both the ALP and the DLP, standing for the latter as a candidate for the state seat of Richmond. Syd had a deep appreciation of literature, the arts, theology, political and economic theory, and history. He would astonish all of us 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 Tchaikovsky or Elgar blaring in the background. Syd applied himself assiduously to further studies in business management and accountancy. He spent 51 years in the electricity supply industry, serving as manager and company secretary 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. 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 before being elected as 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. He was highly respected and loved by Vincentians across the globe, representing Australia and making significant contributions to reform and renewal of the Society’s International Confederation. He also touched people in a profoundly personal way. Syd was the living embodiment of human solidarity. "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 highly respected Social Anthropologist Fr Gerald Arbuckle. Syd gave himself completely to the cause of people who 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 incurred for this courageous stand. His practical achievements are too numerous to list but he was not interested 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! 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. He loved to foster critical thinking taking a personal role in editing the Society's national magazine, The Record, commissioning books and inaugurating the annual Gerald Ward Lecture on social justice. Syd is survived 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. Edited version of an obituary written by National CEO John Falzon
U P D AT E
Ozanam Enterprises: Celebrating Abilities & Training On Thursday 2 December 2010, the day before International Day of People with Disabilities, a group gathered at Ozanam Enterprises in Mornington to celebrate the opening of their new training room. Ozanam Enterprises, a service of VincentCare Victoria, provides training and employment opportunities to people with disabilities. The company has been in operation for over 30 years and provides production, packaging and manufacturing services to businesses in southern Melbourne. Local MP Bruce Billson officially opened the training room at the function which was also attended by Senator Mitch Fifield, Shadow Minister for Disabilities, Carers and the Voluntary Sector. The building of the training room was made possible with a grant from the Gandel Charitable Trust as well as an investment from VincentCare Victoria itself. At the time of the opening, VincentCare Victoria CEO John Blewonski said, "Prior to
the development of the training room, we've been conducting all our vocational skill training in the canteen or a small office, neither of which are ideal. “This new training room allows us to train our staff in a more appropriate and comfortable environment. Clients will be learning computer, independent living and employment skills in there, just to name a few."
"The service started in 1976 with only 10 clients but now we offer training and employment for 60 people with disabilities and have a total workforce of 90. The need for the training room reflects that growth, so it's a proud day for us. Everyone's really excited that the building is finished and ready to go." Festivities for the day continued with the annual barbecue where Louise and Lincoln (pictured above) enjoyed the celebrations.
Calendar Dates
Victorian Flood Appeal Monday 17 January 2011 Monday 28 February 2011 Ozanam Lecture Thursday 24 March 2011, 7pm St Francis’ Church, Melbourne Vinnies CEO Sleepout 2011 Thursday 16 June 2011 Contributions to Societynews are always welcome.
Ozanam Enterprises’ new training room provides an area for up to 30 clients and/or staff with access to computers to develop independent living and employment skills.
Did you know... Societynews can be downloaded from the publications area on our website, log on to:
www.vinnies.org.au
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.