Newsletter 279 | November-December 2015

A P U B L I C A T I O N F O R S O C I E T Y M E M B E R S , V O L U N T E E R S A N D S T A F F

This year the 2015 Vinnies Christmas Appeal focuses on restoring hope and highlights the work undertaken by the St Vincent de Paul Society's dedicated members and volunteers who make a real difference to the lives of so many, not only at Christmas but throughout the entire year.Our Christmas Appeal will be supported by TV, radio, press, online and social media activity from 1 November-25 December 2015. We will also share a collection of stories from our conferences.State President, Michael Liddy, said, “Sadly, Christmas can be a stressful juggling act for many people, as they struggle to pay their bills, put food on the table, petrol in the car and find time for their loved ones too. The notion of buying gifts for their children or preparing a special Christmas meal is often completely out of reach.“With housing affordability putting more pressure on families than ever before, many members of our communities are left with little income and simply can’t afford to make ends meet," Michael said. This Christmas the Society's members will provide people in Victoria with financial assistance, clothing, utilities, food hampers and gifts for children.

Last year during October-December 2014, the Society provided over $3.2 million worth of assistance to people in need across the State, including over $2.4 million worth of food assistance and $166,000 worth of assistance for utility bills.Vinnies members work tirelessly across the State to ensure that people experiencing disadvantage have someone to turn to for help.We thank you all for your work and commitment in helping others. Through your good works we are restoring hope to many people who are finding it difficult to celebrate during this time.

SocietynewsVICTORIA

Sincere thanks one and all for your work in

Seasons Greetings

2015

VINNIES CHRISTMAS APPEAL RESTORING HOPE

ST VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY VICTORIA INC.Locked Bag 4800, Box Hill Vic 3128P 03 9895 5800 | F 03 9895 5850E info@svdp-vic.org.au | W vinnies.org.au

Dear FriendsThe Society recently launched the 2015 Chapter of “A Call to Serve | Vincentian Stories”. This is the third year in which the Society’s Victorian State Council has sought to honour a small number of members for their dedication to service, and for their compassion, courage and selflessness. We also recognise them for being modern day examples of servant leadership within their respective communities and in our Society more broadly.I would like to mention Br Doug Walsh, a Marist brother, Society member and President of the Society’s Soup Van Services.

The Fitzroy Soup Van is the oldest of six soup van operations in Victoria, the others based at Footscray, Collingwood,

Moe, Berwick and Endeavour Hills. As the soup van program expanded and as it became obvious that there were many

regulatory issues to be complied with, the Society recognised the need to review and update their operations, a process which

continues.

There have been many changes in practices over the years, many relating to safety. The Society is most appreciative of the loyal

supporters and donors who have contributed to the expansion of and better service offered by the vans.

The Society’s patron, the Governor of Victoria, Her Excellency the Honourable Linda Dessau AM and her husband Judge Anthony Howard spent the evening of Tuesday 29 September with the Fitzroy Soup Van, helping to prepare the soup and sandwiches and then serving them at several of the street stops. We thank them both for their interest in this aspect of the Society’s work for our friends in need.

The Fitzroy Soup Van celebrates its 40th anniversary this year: my congratulations and thanks to all who volunteer on the van, and for the many who have volunteered on the van and supported its work over the past 40 years.

To every member, volunteer and employee of the Society, I thank you for your contribution in assisting the many people in need who have sought help through our programs and services. Our work is about the people we serve and I trust that we will all continue to work and serve each other in 2016.

I take this opportunity to reflect on Christmas which is a key feast in our Catholic life. It is also an important time for each of us with our families and friends.

I sincerely wish each of you, and your family, peace and happiness this Christmas, and good health and harmony throughout the New Year.

Yours in Christ,

STATE PRESIDENTMichael Liddy

Michael Liddy State President

PRAYERS ARE REQUESTED FOR...Deceased members, volunteers, family and friends• Lyn Considine, Ex-member

Kilmore Conference• Kath Kukielka, Member

Dromana Conference• Ray Rolando, Member

Mount Evelyn Conference• Peter Stapleton, President

Fitzroy Mobile Conference• Malcolm Taylor, Ex-member

Wonthaggi ConferencePlease forward any requests for prayers to

Philip Mackey on 03 9895 5837 or email philipm@svdp-vic.org.au

STAFF FAREWELLSSadly as the year ends we will bid farewell to well known and valued staff members including:

GARRY WEBB Manager, Internal Audit & Risk Management

After 11 years Garry is leaving the Society and heading north back to his state of origin, Queensland. Garry's work with the Society has been invaluable providing expertise and working closely with the

Audit Risk & Compliance Committee to ensure proper processes are adhered to within the organisation.While Garry's retirement brings him joy there is a tinge of sadness; he will no longer be able to attend as many AFL matches to support his beloved Collingwood.Thank you for all your work Garry and we wish you well for the future.

PAULA SALEMME PA to CEO & General Secretary

After 13 years Paula is leaving the Society. Paula's retirement leaves behind a legacy of work and love for the Society both personally and professionally. In her role as PA to the CEO and General Secretary, she has

been part of many new initiatives and worked with great leaders and colleagues.Paula's retirement is well deserved and she intends to focus on her family, doting on her little grandson, as well as enjoying her hobbies. I am sure travel will be in her future too.We wish Paula every happiness and thank her for commitment to the Society.LEONI PHELAN & FRIEDERIKE MUTTTRAY CompeerSadly Leoni and Friederike from the Compeer program are also leaving to pursue other opportunities. We wish them well for the future.

M I N I V I N N I E S TRINITY CATHOLIC SCHOOLThursday 16 July 2015 was a very busy day for the Trinity Catholic School’s Mini Vinnies Core Teams in North Richmond. The 2014 Mini Vinnies had the privilege of presenting the 2015 Mini Vinnies Core Team with their badges when they were commissioned as the 2015 Mini Vinnies. The 2014 Core Team were also acknowledged for their great work. In a short time this group worked extremely hard to raise an awareness of how we can make a difference in others’ lives. They were congratulated on their wonderful work over the last eight months achieving so much in a short time. We hope that we can continue their wonderful work. Later in the morning Mrs Neill, one of our parents, Mrs Herbert, and the 2014 and 2015 Mini Vinnies Core Teams visited the St Vincent de Paul Society distribution centre in Collingwood. When we arrived we were met by a familiar face - Sophia one of the volunteers who is a regular visitor at Trinity collecting all our donations. Sophia is always so friendly and is so happy to collect our donations and delivers them to Collingwood. It was a privilege for us to meet and see the other volunteers at work as well as seeing where all our donations go. The volunteers were very friendly and helped to organise us.We were soon put to work and we enthusiastically assisted the volunteers in stacking shelves, making up packs of tea, rice, salt and packing other goods which are supplied to those in need. While we were there many people visited the centre to collect their goods. Once we had finished helping, Jen one of the

volunteers gave us a little tour and talked to us about volunteering and putting

our faith into action.It was a great experience giving

us firsthand experience of seeing the hard work of the St Vincent de Paul Society. We saw how the volunteers showed us in their actions how to be more like Jesus.The founder of the St Vincent de Paul Society, Frederic Ozanam said, “Yours must be a work of love, of kindness, you must give your time, your talents, yourselves.”“I think it was a great firsthand experience of being a Mini Vinnie.” Michael

Submitted by: President Emily, Vice President Emma, Treasure Vinh, Secretary Michael, Spiritual Advisors Phi and Angela

A Leap of Faith

Faith is a Year 3 student at St Agatha's School in Cranbourne. Faith made contact with the Membership & Development's School Liaison Officer, Catherine Smith, regarding her idea of having a year round poor box where spare change could be collected and donated to help people in need. On responding, Catherine highlighted that the Society didn't have any small collection boxes and suggested that Faith could create one herself.

And so Faith did...producing and decorating her very own small collection box. Here she is pictured with The Box of Faith!

With the help of St Agatha's Mini Vinnies team, Faith has advertised The Box of Faith throughout the school, even making their own advertisement using a green screen. The box is now in the school canteen and performing its role of raising funds for people in need.

"We are proud of Faith's initiative and the support provided to her by the Mini Vinnies team. This has been a totally student-led campaign and we hope that it generates great funds. We have taken the time to ensure it can be totally student-led and a full learning experience. In its first week it generated approximately $80," said Deputy School Principal, Paul Sharp.

As Catherine had written in her initial email to Faith, "I’m a big believer in small change creating big change in our world."

Thank you Faith, St Agatha's and the Mini Vinnies team for making a difference and inspiring others with this beautiful initiative.

VINNIES YOUTH BALL REVISITING THE 1970s

The Vinnies Youth Ball is an annual event that celebrates the work of Vinnies Youth members throughout the year and coincided with the Fitzroy Soup Van's 40th anniversary. Held at the Regal Ballroom in Northcote, the event raised $1,500 in support of the Soup Van Services.

Our theme was the colourful 70s with many outrageous costumes from that era placed on display.

Once again the Vinnies Youth Ball was well attended with almost 200 Vinnies Youth members and soup van volunteers. Needless to say a great night was had by all!

The St Vincent de Paul Society was established in Australia (Melbourne) under the stewardship of Father Gerald Ward in 1854. It is fitting therefore that as Vincentians we return to our founding birthplace, St Francis Church, Melbourne, to celebrate Thanksgiving Mass and all Vincentians, their families and friends are welcome to be part of this very special celebration and give thanks for members, volunteers and staff who passed away in the last 12 months. This year the Southern Central Council hosted the Thanksgiving Mass and we thank the Central Council President, Michael Cashman and all the members and volunteers for their leadership and involvement in the ministries.

Monsignor Ireland the Spiritual Adviser for the Victorian State Council, delivered an emotional homily which recognised the service given to people in need by all our deceased Vincentian family members and also offered the support of the rest of the Vincentian family to those mourning their loss. He reminded us that we gather to remember, to support, to pray and to live out our Gospel call. Reverend Herald Thamel, community leader at St Francis, and Fr Bung, a Divine Word Missionary Priest, con-celebrated the mass with Monsignor Ireland and we thank them for their prayerful support.

Over 280 people came together to remember and celebrate the lives of members, volunteers and staff.

Candles representing the deceased were carried by family representatives, conference members and volunteers in a ‘Procession of Light’ to the altar as the name of each deceased person was read out by Michael Cashman, Central Council President, Southern Region. The candles were then placed near the altar where they remained alight during the mass as an expression of remembrance for deceased loved ones. At the conclusion of mass, family representatives were encouraged to take home the candle lit for their loved one.

The mass was a moving and fitting tribute to our deceased members, volunteers and staff and gave families and friends the opportunity to celebrate their lives. After the mass in the pastoral centre we shared in a supper where we were able to tell stories, remember and catch up with each other.

May they Rest in Peace

Brendan Podbury Membership & Development Officer - Western

THANKSGIVING MASS F O R D E C E A S E D M E M B E R S , V O LU N T E E R S & S TA F F

The Vinnies Fitzroy Soup Van commenced in 1975 and this year celebrates its 40th anniversary of service.

This project was instigated by a small number of people who wanted to provide soup, sandwiches and friendship to people experiencing homelessness and disadvantage in the city areas. With considerable assistance from the St Vincent de Paul Society and the Catholic parish network, the small group of volunteers acquired a van and permission to operate from Ozanam House in North Melbourne. Since then, the Fitzroy Soup Van has grown into a trusted and reliable service for a daily meal and friendship for those experiencing homelessness and disadvantage across the inner city. 2015 marks 40 years of service for our Fitzroy Soup Van and, as part of this momentous occasion, the Society is acknowledging the volunteers that have supported the service throughout this time. Our volunteers have played a vital role and we would like to thank them for their contributions to the soup van’s journey. In addition to providing a meal, our dedicated volunteers have brought hope and comfort to the people sleeping rough each night. Last year the Fitzroy Soup Van provided more than 146,000 meals to people experiencing disadvantage and homelessness throughout the Melbourne CBD, Fitzroy, East Melbourne and South Melbourne. Each night over 400 people are physically served on the van, however, hundreds more could actually be receiving a meal from the soup van service as often one person comes to the van and takes several meals back for friends and family in their ‘home’. A ‘home’ for people sleeping rough can be a squat, camp, car, boarding house or any other place that offers some form of protection. Our volunteers see families sleeping in cars, individuals sharing a room in a boarding house, victims of domestic violence seeking shelter in a 24-hour internet café, young people squatting in a disused warehouse, refugee families living in high-rise apartments, victims of

elder abuse sleeping on a park-bench or a person sleeping in a bunk-bed in back-packer’s accommodation.The Vinnies Soup Van Service continues to partner with like-minded organisations to provide access to medical and dental care, homeless services, local government and those committed to improving the circumstances of people experiencing disadvantage, isolation and marginalisation. We are most grateful for community support, our partners and the dedication of our volunteers that continue to serve people in need, with respect and dignity. We look forward to continuing this invaluable service for the next 40 years!

Danusia KaskaSoup Van Operations Manager

FITZROY SOUP VAN CELEBRATES 40TH ANNIVERSARY

GOVERNOR GETS HANDS-ON @ THE SOUP VANNewly appointed Governor of Victoria, The Honourable Linda Dessau AM and husband, Judge Anthony Howard joined us on a nightly run with the Fitzroy Soup Van.

The Governor and Judge Howard were accompanied by State President, Michael Liddy, and assisted with preparations in the kitchen at our North Melbourne base before heading out to experience and help distribute food on the nightly run.

IT'S ALL HAPPENING...The new look Vinnies Malvern is now complete. Undergoing a substantial refurbishment, Malvern now boasts new fixtures and fittings, signage as well as physical upgrades including new carpet, painting, etc. The shop is looking great! A big congratulations and thanks for the management and volunteers who managed to continue trading right throughout the store’s renovation.

We are also well underway with our newest store, Vinnies Northcote. The shop will showcase the new concept design and layout, together with some unique touches to ensure it reflects the local environment and community. The store is set to open early December.

VINNIES SHOPS UPDATE

WHAT'S NEW...October saw a strong focus on spring and spring racing. We celebrated the change of season and some warmer weather – showcasing looks from our recent spring/summer photo shoot. For the second year, shops were asked to build a display that celebrated all things spring – frocks, hats and accessories. We encouraged stores to be creative and have some fun with the displays they built. Featuring dresses, men’s suits and an abundance of accessories, the shops demonstrated how you can look good on a budget.Our shops were encouraged to maintain their displays for as long as possible. Topping up and changing items if/where needed as customers shopped from the amazing displays.We received a total of 53 entries from Vinnies Shops across the State and short-listed those to seven. We created an album on Facebook featuring the seven short-listed shops and let our Facebook community decide which shop had the best display. The Vinnies Shop with the most votes wins!Competition between the shops was fierce (and close) with a total of 1,023 votes received.

The winning store was Daylesford, with 330 votes in total.

Calendar Dates 2015 Christmas Appeal 2 November 2015 - 29 February 2016

Gerald Ward House - Office Closure 22 December 2015 - 1 January 2016 Reopening: Monday 4 January 2016

2016 Ozanam Lecture SAVE THE DATE: Sunday 20 February 2016, 2pm

Social Justice in the City SAVE THE DATE: Wednesday 24 February 2016

2016 Vinnies CEO Sleepout SAVE THE DATE: Thursday 23 June 2016

ST VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY VICTORIA INC.Locked Bag 4800, Box Hill Vic 3128P 03 9895 5800 | F 03 9895 5850E info@svdp-vic.org.au | W vinnies.org.au

We endeavour to include as many items as possible in each issue of Societynews. Send contributions to: E dianneb@svdp-vic.org.au

WELCOME TO VINNIESThe Marketing & Fundraising team are pleased to announce the appointment of Haley Price as Manager of Marketing & Communications.

Haley is responsible for managing a team of marketing specialists, developing a coordinated integrated marketing program and directing the Society's public relations program. Haley will be the primary

contact for all media enquiries and will manage the Vinnies CEO Sleepout event held annually in June, which raises vital funds for people in need and aims to create a shared understanding of homelessness in Australia. Haley’s previous role was Chief Communications Officer for Health&. Prior to that she has worked as an independent consultant and an account director for integrated communications agencies. "The Society has such a rich history and so many important stories to share. I am eager to meet everyone in person and to help build awareness of the good works of our members and volunteers with the wider community." Get in touch with Haley on 03 9895 5923 or haley.price@svdp-vic.org.au