Newsletter 269 | March-April 2014

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

The MFB and St Vincent de Paul Society teamed up to supply smoke detector batteries for Victorians in need as part of MFB’s daylight saving fire safety campaign ‘Change Your Clock, Change Your Smoke Alarm Battery’. Duracell donated 6500 nine volt batteries and MFB approached the St Vincent de Paul Society to distribute more than half of those to people who may find it difficult to

purchase them. Information on the importance of working smoke alarms was distributed with the batteries.

MFB’s Community Engagement Strategist Marc Florio said, “I’m aware of the work of the St Vincent de Paul Society with people struggling to make ends meet so I thought their network would be a great way to ensure the batteries get to people who need them the most.”

Thank you to Duracell and the MFB for the donation which has now been distributed through conferences.

Societynews

2014 WINTER APPEALTHE REASONS TO DONATE ARE ALL AROUND USThe St Vincent de Paul Society's Winter Appeal was launched on 1 May with the message, ‘In every state, every neighbourhood, every community. The reasons to donate are all around us’.

This appeal offers the opportunity to show the breadth and scale on which Vinnies is ‘doing something about it’ to transform thousands of lives around the country.

Although the work of the Society is vast, the key message of the appeal lies in the work done at a community level, helping people in the local neighbourhood, which is what makes us unique.

You will find the appeal on TV, radio, cinema, online, direct mail and through your local Parish.

VICTORIA

MFB PARTNERSHIP FOR FREE SMOKE ALARM BATTERIES

Best&Less shop for good campaignThank you once again to the team at Best&Less for their amazing national ‘Shop for good’ campaign which raised funds for the St Vincent de Paul Society return-to-school period, which puts great pressure on many of the people we assist.

State President, Michael Liddy and Deputy State President, Carol Messer are pictured above with Paul Larsen (centre) from Best&Less who visited Gerald Ward House on 3 April to hand over a cheque for $40,798, Victoria’s share of the $225,411 raised nationally with the great work of

Best&Less customers and staff.

PROFILE | MICHAEL LIDDY

Michael has been an active member of the Society since joining the Donvale Conference in 2000. From 2007-2009 Michael was the Ringwood Regional Council President and from 2009-2013 he served on State Council as Eastern Central Council President. During his term on State Council Michael was part of the following groups:

• Retail advisory committee

• Membership and development advisory committee

• Fundraising, marketing and public relations committee

• Mission identity advisory committee

• Melbourne Vinnies CEO Sleepout event committee (chair)

• Constitution review working group

• Social justice committee

Until his appointment as State President Michael was a member of the VincentCare Victoria board and sat on their governance committee and social policy and research committee. Outside of the St Vincent de Paul Society and VincentCare Victoria, Michael is also a board member of Social Policy Connections and has served on the pastoral council of Our Lady of the Pines parish in Donvale and represented the parish on the Yarra Deanery.

Michael is married to Helen and has one son who lives in Perth with his wife and two daughters.

State Council has elected me to take on the responsibility of leading our Society in Victoria in the next four years. I have no doubt that this will be a challenge, not only for me, but for all Society members, volunteers and staff – to focus our prayers, works and friendship towards those in need, who seek our help.We are encountering the consequences of job losses in several large Victorian companies and the flow-on effects that has. This is likely to increase the number of people seeking assistance from our Society, and other welfare providers. State and Federal Government funding for a range of social welfare programs is not likely to increase in the coming budgets. We are noticing that donations to the Society are not increasing sufficiently as the demand for our assistance grows.

I know that conference members will continue to do their best to respond.

BUT, are we really doing our best to provide “a hand up”, and to listen better to the people we assist, to better understand their

plight? That is the challenge I see for all of us, which we can start to understand as we develop a four year strategic plan for the

Society. State Council cannot do it alone, which is why we will seek active input from members. We will seek new, innovative ideas as

to what projects or special works are most likely to give us a better understanding of the needs of those who seek our help, both material

and by way of advocacy, and to influence how we can better respond to their needs in the Vincentian spirit.

Pope Francis is striking a chord with many people of all faiths, some of little faith. He is not saying anything which doesn’t reflect the Church’s teachings, but he has a special way of making it meaningful to us, and to many other people. Just one of his messages asks us to be a poor Church. He invites us to walk in the shoes of the poor, needy, disadvantaged and homeless. I want us to discern what he means, so that our Society in Victoria can respond meaningfully.My message to members of State Council before the election was:It’s not about us, it’s about the people whom Frederic Ozanam challenges us to serve.I will expand on this theme from time to time, as we continue to discern our mission as members of the St Vincent de Paul Society in Victoria.I will tell you the names, backgrounds and roles of our new Deputy State President, Treasurer and Vice Presidents, after the State Council endorses their appointments on 26 April.Finally I wish to acknowledge and thank Tony Tome for his leadership of the Society during the past four years. In doing so, I also thank his wife Helen for all the support she has given to Tony and to the Society throughout that time – and previously in Tony’s other senior roles in our Society.May God bless us in all our efforts and, especially, may He bless

those who seek our assistance and our friendship.

STATE PRESIDENTMichael Liddy

Michael Liddy State President

ST VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY - 160 YEARS OF SERVICEThis year is the 160th anniversary of the St Vincent de Paul Society, founded in Australia at St Francis’ parish in Melbourne.

Two events have recently been held to mark the milestone. At celebratory event at Gerald Ward House on 5 March, in addition to acknowledging the significant milestone of the Society, the following members were recognised for 50 years of service as a Vincentian:

• Eoin Dillon - Moonee Ponds Conference

• Ken Holmes - Niddrie Conference

• Brian Taylor - Gardenvale Conference

• Alan Cox - Fawkner Conference

• Kevin Sherry - Blackburn Conference

• Mick Ellis - Deepdene/Balwyn Conference

The following conferences were also recognised for milestones:

• 50 Years: Diamond Creek, Blackburn, Hadfield, Ivanhoe West, Boronia, Bennettswood, Sunbury

• 60 years: Lilydale Conference, Bentleigh East, Maryborough, Horsham, Ararat

• 70 years: Burwood

• 80 years: Kyabram, Sale, Echuca

• 90 years: Brighton

Then on 25 March 2014, a function at Government House hosted by His Excellency the Honourable Alex Chernov AC QC, Governor of Victoria and Mrs Elizabeth Chernov was held for donors and friends of the Society.

The Governor and Tony Tome gave speeches at the event, the Governor congratulating the St Vincent de Paul Society on the work done to support people in need, and Tony reflected on the history of the Society and the way we live the vision of Frederic Ozanam.

THANK YOU TONY!Tony Tome concluded his term as State President on 29 March 2014. We thank Tony for all he contributed to the Society in his four year term as State President. Tony is pictured here with his wife Helen at one of his last official functions, our 160th anniversary reception at Government House. Best wishes Tony for the future, may it be happy and restful!

ENERGYAUSTRALIA ONBOARD WITH SOUP VANSThe positive relationship between our soup vans and EnergyAustralia continued in March and April this year. In March the Fitzroy soup van team attended an EnergyAustralia staff rowing regatta event to sell sandwiches and drinks as a fundraiser for the soup van.

The EnergyAustralia staff were all very pleased to see the vans there and many supported by buying their lunch from us.

In April, the new Moe soup van purchased through the sponsorship was celebrated at the EnergyAustralia Yallourn power plant.

Member for Eastern Victoria, Danny O’Brien, and former Commonwealth Minister for Energy and Resources, Martin Ferguson attended the launch in addition to representatives of the Society and EnergyAustralia.

Again we were met with much enthusiasm from their staff who are all very proud of the sponsorship and delighted to meet some soup van volunteers and see the van itself.

We remain grateful for the $150,000 sponsorship EnergyAustralia provided for the soup vans and for their continued support of our organisation through other events such as the annual Vinnies CEO Sleepout.

ONLINE REQUEST FOR BEQUEST BOOKLETS

The St Vincent de Paul Society website www.vinnies.org.au is a great source of information about the Society’s activities and events.In the Victorian section of the website there is an online facility to request copies of the popular booklets on the topics of bequests and related areas. These three booklets are:

• For All Who Care – a guide to wills and bequests• Executor of a Will – a guide to the role• The Four Powers – an overview of powers of attorney and guardianship

To obtain your free copies of the booklets from the website, click on the following tabs: Wills and Bequests | VIC | Booklets available.Scroll down and complete the online formThe booklets will then be mailed to you. Alternatively, to explore the area of wills and bequest further, simply go to the 'Wills & Bequests' tab and follow the various links which include suggested will wording, the Forever Friends bequestors group, the Endowment Fund and a more detailed description of each of the booklets

mentioned above.

A luncheon was held at the Bentleigh RSL Club to farewell Frank Gill, ex-president of the Moorabbin/Bentleigh Conference. The members of Moorabbin/Bentleigh Conference recognised and thanked retiring President Frank Gill for his tireless dedication, service and support over the past 18 years, and the last three as President. They also thanked Mary Gill for her assistance and help over the years. Frank Gill was awarded a St Vincent de Paul Society Certificate of Appreciation in gratitude for many years of dedicated service to the Moorabbin Conference.

Herbert Portanier, President Moorabbin Conference

FAREWELL TO FRANK GILL | MOORABBIN/BENTLEIGH CONFERENCE

M E M B E R S H I P & D E V E LO PM E N T | N E W S TA F FThree new staff members have recently commenced in the membership and development team at Gerald Ward House. Danusia Kaska is the new Soup Van Operations Manager and has a very long history as a Vincentian and has been involved in many works and councils of the Society including extensive experience on our soup vans.

Michael Walter is the new Youth Officer and Cheyne Pettit is the new M&D School Liaison Officer – College Conferences. Michael and Cheyne both come with a strong Vincentian background through their involvement with Vinnies Youth, kids camps and extensive experience working with young people. Welcome, Cheyne, Michael and Danusia!

VINNIES UPDATE

VINNIES WARRAGULA blessing and opening ceremony was held for the new Vinnies Warragul shop late last year. Warragul moved to a bigger site as they had outgrown their premises in recent years and were in need of a new home.

There was a great deal of planning, cooperation and many meetings held in the months leading up to the opening with

many levels of management involved, always ensuring our principles and values supported our Vinnies brand.

Throughout this transformation, moving from the old premises of Normanby Street to Gladstone Street Warragul, the Store Manager

Liz Els and the wonderful team of dedicated volunteers were there every step of the way.

The Warragul community has embraced the new home and we are very thankful for the generous support of the local community. Liz Els

and the volunteer team are to be congratulated on how successful the shop is as they continue to embrace the good works of the Society.

Anne Pellicano Area Support Manager

PRAYERS ARE REQUESTED FOR...Deceased members, volunteers, family and friends

• Judith Dawn Hill, Volunteer Vinnies Wendouree

• Molly Hoey, Volunteer Vinnies Geelong South

• Kevin McGrath, Ex-member Warrnambool & Warrnambool West Conferences

• Colleen O'Connor, Member Romsey/Lancefield Conference

• Eddie Sadler, Associate member Geelong & Geelong East Conferences

• Corry Schelling, Wife of Bert and ex-member, Leongatha Conference

• Kevin Smith, Associate member and ex-volunteer, Traralgon Conference & Traralgon Vinnies

• Mavis Sullivan, Associate member Red Cliffs Conference

• Paddy Fitzgerald, Ex-member and volunteer, Croydon Conference & Vinnies Croydon

Calendar Dates 2014 Winter Appeal 1 May-31 August 2014

2014 Vinnies Blanket Appeal 5 May-18 July 2014

Vincentian Stories | A Call to Serve Thursday 8 May 2014, 10.15am-1pm Gerald Ward House

Regional Council President’s Day Saturday 24 May 2014

2014 Vinnies CEO Sleepout SAVE THE DATE: Thursday 19 June 2014

Regional Council President’s Day Saturday 25 October 2014

Annual General Meeting Saturday 25 October 2014

Thanksgiving Mass for deceased members, volunteers and staff Tuesday 11 November 2014

To ensure correct acknowledgement please forward any requests for prayers

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

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: stephanie.puls@svdp-vic.org.au