www.therecord.com.au
23 February 2017
Edition #120
OZANAM HOUSE - BIGGER, BRIGHTER FUTURE FOR VINNIES By Natashya Fernandez A STATE-OF-THE-ART facility sitting on 15000m2, a 5000 m2 depot, a modern op shop, a chapel and many other quirks are just some of the things that will greet you at Ozanam House, the new St Vincent de Paul Society premises in Canning Vale. A two-year vision, it was no small feat finalising on a premises that would not only be an important vehicle for the SVDP Society but also play an important role to all the people we work with in the community, said Mark Fitzgerald, former CEO of St Vincent de Paul Society. In acknowledging all the dignitaries present on the day, Mr Fitzgerald first and foremost recognised the people in the community. “It’s the people who are down on their luck, the people who have trouble in their lives and who we are here for,” Mr Fitzgerald noted. “That’s the most important people we need to thank, for without them we would not be doing this but also because
Auxiliary Bishop of Perth, Donald Sproxton blesses Ozanam House at the opening of the new premises for St Vincent de Paul Society in Canning Vale. PHOTO: SUPPLIED
they are the ones who give us hope and joy in what we do. “It’s important not to ever forget why we’re doing the work that we do,” he said. The evening soon picked up with salutations all around the room with Honourable Andrea Mitchel MLA, Minister for Mental Health; Child Protection, representing the Premier, Hon Colin Barnett ML A, Hon Dr Michael (Mike) Dennis Nahan MLA, member for Riverton and
State Treasurer and the Most Reverend, Auxiliary Bishop of Perth, Donald Sproxton who presided over the evening with a prayer and blessing of the premises. Mr Fitzgerald also thanked members from Canberra, Frank Brassil and Donna Scheerlinck, Bob Burns, State President and Adele Stewart, Acting CEO as well as the team who made this journey happen. It was impossible to not
thank Lotterywest for their generous funding, donors, people who helped in the campaign and in particular, Jeff Trew, who was recognised posthumously for all his work in getting this project up and going. “He was our state president at the time. He was the person who started this process and in his memory we acknowledge the role he played not only in terms of getting this place up and going but also for the work he did with The Society as well,” he said. Walking around the facility, it was no surprise to see why it is such a special place for the SVDP Society. A b e aut i f ul, moder n building yet simplistic in structure, the building aims to be a vehicle for tens of thousands of people in the community. Functional and spacious, all the rooms are designed to open and close and change size to maximise efficiency wherever possible. Full Text available at
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