A PUBLICATION FOR SOCIETY MEMBERS, VOLUNTEERS AND S TA F F
St Vincent de Paul Society Victoria Inc.
Through the hope of children with their messages of support and the many donations from local, national and international communities, Victorians have endured one of the State's most devastating natural disasters. In those first difficult weeks, every fire-affected conference immediately did what they do best and responded quickly to the needs of those who required assistance. Many of our volunteers and staff at Central Office also gave freely of their time to assist. While time has slowly passed since the initial shock of Black Saturday, the Society members continue to provide practical assistance, material and financial aid, counselling, emotional support and referral services to those affected by the tragedy. Following the generous donation of warehouse space in Rowville, the Society implemented processes to collect, sort and distribute thousands of tonnes of material goods, with support from 200-400 volunteers each day. Centres State Manager, Tony Thornton said, "It was the most amazing sight to see, hundreds of volunteers sorting through material donations in a space the size of the MCG." Goods were then distributed to our relief centres in fire-affected areas, while other relief organisations received inventory lists daily and were invited to request specific items to fulfil immediate needs. State President, Jim Grealish said while so much assistance has already been given, the Society recognises that there is still a great deal to be done. The effects of this disaster will be evident for years to come and we are committed to helping affected communities rebuild their lives. Conferences are continuing to respond in positive and creative ways. They are assisting families some of whom have fallen through the cracks and are daily struggling to survive. The work of our members has been incredible and humbling. However we should be mindful that our normal welfare work is increasing and we need to keep supporting our members through this difficult time. The Society is in it for the long haul and our members will be continuing to assist in fire-affected communities for years to come.
S Christine Nixon with volunteers at the Rowville warehouse
Newsletter 241 May 2009
Premier John Brumby and Jenny Macklin MP visit the Rowville warehouse
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U P D AT E
New National Website The St Vincent de Paul Society’s new look national website went live on Wednesday 29 April 2009.
State President ’s Update BY JIM GREALISH
Dear Members and Friends of the Society Welcome to this issue of the Societynews. With the Royal Commission now taking evidence the bushfire situation still weighs heavily across the State of Victoria. The response to the Society’s fundraising appeal for The new website allows us more bushfire survivors was outstanding. Donations came from flexibility in the presentation of the all over Australia and from other countries as well. A total information and we hope all of $3M was received by the St Vincent de Paul Society and up to the present browsers will find navigation more time, about a quarter of that sum has been expended. But, please note that user-friendly. some of the devastated areas are only just beginning to be reopened to As always websites are a work in residents which means that the demand for our services is only beginning. As progress and we hope to continually we have stated on numerous occasions the Society is there to help people in improve and develop the site. need over the long haul, so all our funds may not be disbursed until 2010 or We welcome your feedback and, in 2011 as people resettle permanently back into their communities. the mean time, happy webbing. Competing with the bushfire situation for news coverage has been Wayne Swan's so called ‘horror budget’. Deceased Members, Volunteers, Family and Friends In reality it was a horror budget for Fr Pat Bohan Chaplain, Ballarat North Conference those who are on unemployment Nick Baré Member, Rowville Conference and sole parent benefits. While age Alf Belman Member, St Gabriel’s Reservoir Conference pensioners received well-deserved Pauline Bright Volunteer, Upper Yarra Conference/Warburton Centre John Cadwallendar Husband of Olive, Wonthaggi Conference increments, the unemployed and Pat Canty Member, Ringwood Conference sole parents were totally ignored. Les Coleman Member, Queenscliff Conference Much of the care we give is to Jack Colwell Ex-President, Springvale Conference people in these two categories. Joe Cummins Founding Member, Moe Conference With unemployment rising Jim Curtain Ex-President, Brighton East Conference dramatically the demand for the Kevin Delany Husband of Bernece, Bright Conference Bob Dight Acting President, Yarrawonga Conference Society's services is increasing as Alfred Dupuy Member, Sorrento Conference well. In the current financial year Tom Farrelly Member, Airport West Conference we are providing 20% more aid Jack Flanagan Member, Croydon Conference than we did in the previous year. Ralph Foster Husband of Kath, Highett Conference There is no sign of the drought Pam Griffin Wife of John, Ringwood Conference abating and that is continuing to put Dorothy Hager Member, Dallas Conference1 pressure on our resources in the Jean McCarry Ex-Member, Airport West Conference country areas. Don McConville President, Keilor East/Avondale Heights Conference Lil McCormack Wife of Ted, Geelong East Conference We are acutely conscious of the Gerry McInerney Ex-President, Langwarrin Conference generosity of all our supporters in Ken McIntyre Member, Ormond Conference responding to the bushfire Peter McMullen Founding member, Pakenham Conference emergency, but we urgently need Les Moore Husband of Noelene, Hadfield Conference assistance in our Winter Appeal to Dan Murray Volunteer, Bennettswood Conference meet the increasing demands being Denise Paholski Member, Blackburn Conference made on us in these winter months. John Patena Member, Hawthorn Conference Jack Pola Member, Warrnambool West Conference Whatever you can do will be greatly Trevor Powell Ex-Member & Husband of Fay, Strathmore Conference appreciated. If the situation was not Bill Roberts Ex-President and member, East Bentleigh Conference so grave we would not be calling on Frank Rorke Member, Strathmore Conference you again so soon. Peter Ryan Member, Mortlake Conference With every good wish Barbara Sanday Treasurer & Member, Newport/Spotswood Conference The redevelopment of this website has now truly brought a national feel to the organisation. When browsing through the website you will find National content initially, then followed by State-specific content.
Prayers are requested for...
Maria Tesoriero Carmel Trevaskis Elisabeth Van Gemst
Sister of Paul De Luca Member, Mooroopna Conference Member, St Albans 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.
Jim Grealish State President
U P D AT E Winter Appeal 09
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Vinnies 100th Centre opens in Dandenong
Each year as winter approaches the St Vincent de Paul Society conducts a fundraising appeal. Following on from our 2008 appeal, in which photographs representing the lives of people we assist were featured; this year we have launched another visual campaign for our 2009 campaign. Through the messages drawn and written by our service users, such as the one pictured below, the Society is aiming to help the wider community understand the stark realities of day-to-day life for the many disadvantaged Victorians we assist and, in turn, to assist by donating to our appeal. To donate to the appeal call 13 18 12 or visit www.vinnies.org.au/vic
W (Pictured left) Ian Smith helped celebrate the opening of the 100th centre while customers received treats of fairy floss
The St Vincent de Paul Society opened its 100th Vinnies Centre in Victoria on Wednesday 1 April 2009. The celebrations included a sausage sizzle, fairy floss, face-painting, clowns and special guest Ian Smith, pictured above, who is best known for his alter ego, Harold from 'Neighbours’! Vinnies State Centres Manager, Tony Thornton said the Dandenong Centre would continue Vinnies' proud history of helping Victorians in need by providing material assistance, support and friendship.
In congratulating and thanking everyone involved, Tony said, "The opening day celebrations were very well received by the people of Dandenong, with takings for the day in excess of $4,400. The quality of the shop’s layout and its presentation, is a credit to everyone. This was truly a team effort and we all came together to make our 100th centre opening an excellent celebration." Regional President Michael Cashman hosted a formal blessing and opening ceremony at the new centre on Tuesday 30 March 2009 which was attended by Society staff, volunteers and local community members. The centre is located at 119-123 Lonsdale Street, Dandenong and is open MondayS (l to r) Tony Tome, Jim Grealish, Michael Cashman, Ray Saturday, 9am-5pm. Oliver and Fr Anthony Guelen
Walk this way... Happy Feet is a fun campaign promoting Vinnies Centres. Launched in April 2009 by the Society, it featured television and radio commercials as well as print advertisements. The campaign was designed to promote our centres as a venue for fashion and budget conscious Victorians to find great bargains and support their local community at the same time.
U P D AT E Ozanam Lecture 2009
Congratulations
The 2009 Ozanam Lecture was delivered on Thursday 21 May 2009 by Dr Rosanna Scutella. Held annually in honour of the Society’s founder, Blessed Frederic Ozanam, the lecture aims to raise community consciousness on contemporary social justice issues. Dr Scutella spoke eloquently about the issues of inequality, poverty and social welfare. Having completed her PhD in Economics in early 2005, Dr Scutella was an informed speaker on the subject, and shared her many insights with the enthusiastic audience who gathered at St Francis' Church in Melbourne to hear the lecture. Victorian State President, Jim Grealish said, "Dr Scutella's address helps us to set up a framework in which we may comprehend many of the issues Vincentians encounter as they carry out their work supporting disadvantaged people in their local communities." A transcript of the 2009 Ozanam Lecture, including the response from Dr John Falzon, sociologist and Chief Executive Officer of the St Vincent de Paul Society National Council, will be produced and made available on our www.vinnies.org.au/vic. Congratulations to all St Vincent de Paul Aged Care Services staff who worked tirelessly to gain accreditation for their respective facilities. We are pleased to announce that the following Aged Care facilities gained accreditation: z Bailly House Three year accreditation July 2009- July 2012 z May Noonan Hostel Three year accreditation January 2009-January 2012 z Nursing Home Three year accreditation June 2009-June 2012 z Vincenpaul Hostel Three year accreditation March 2009-March 2012 z Vincentian Village Three year accreditation July 2009-July 2012 Accreditation for St Anne’s Hostel is scheduled for July 2009 and dates for O’Mara House are yet to be confirmed.
Some of Australia's most talented singers, songwriters and musicians have created a collection of recordings which have been released on the After the Fire CD. This touching album is a tribute to those devastated by the Victorian bushfires. All profits from the sale of the CD will be donated to the St Vincent de Paul Society’s Victorian Disaster Appeal and will assist bushfire survivors to rebuild help their lives. State President Jim Grealish said, "The album encapsulates the community’s goodwill toward everyone affected by the fires." Copies of the CD are available for $20 online via the Vinnies website www.vinnies.org.au/vic, at JB HiFi stores, Vinnies reception at Box Hill and selected Vinnies Centres. More information is available from: www.myspace.com/afterthefirecd
Calendar Dates z
Winter Appeal Monday 4 May 2009 - Sunday Friday 11 September 2009
LOVE AND POLITICS The Revolutionary Frederic Ozanam
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Email to: dianneb@svdp-vic.org.au or send to:
Copies of Dr John Honner’s “Love and Politics: The Revolutionary Frederic Ozanam” are available from the Society. Cost: $10 (Members) $18.95 (non-Members) Postage: 1-2 books - $4.50 3-5 books - $7.50 5 or more - POA Contact Reception on 03 9895 5800 for more details and/or an order form.
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.