http://vinnies.org.au/files/SA/Publications/The%20Saint%20Autumn%202009

The Saint AUTUMN

ST VINCENT DE PAUL SO CIETY (SA) NEWSLETTER

CHRISTMAS 2008

THANK YOU CHRISTMAS SUPPORTERS

CHRISTMAS APPEAL LAUNCH WHITMORE SQUARE

The St Vincent de Paul Society thanks everyone who contributed to the success of the 2008 Christmas Appeal. Your financial donations at a time of uncertainty, have been inspirational.

Kelly Nestor of Channel Nine launched our 2008 Christmas Appeal in Whitmore Square on the morning of the 12th November.

Kelly encouraged everyone to partner Vinnies, and encourage others to do so as well; by accepting responsibility for those who need our help this Christmas, we will CHANGE THEIR STORY. Guests and visitors enjoyed a breakfast of pancakes.

Christmas was much more enjoyable for some 3000 families – almost 10,0000 individuals – through food hampers and gifts donated by individuals and businesses.

Kelly Nestor (Channel 9) - Photographer – Grant Nowell

Terry Hubber (St Vincent de Paul Society), Tom Lawler, Todd Lange (George Weston Foods), Butch Moses (SAFF), Lorraine Burford (Australian Pork Limited), and John Haren (St Vincent de Paul Society).

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2009

In particular we acknowledge our ever loyal and committed donors and supporters, Conferences, the Catholic Parishes, schools and students, Adelaide Central Plaza, Adam Internet, the Motorcycle Riders Association, Adelaide City Council Market Car Park, Australian Pork Limited, Don Fresh a division of George Weston Foods, Regency College Meat Studies Unit, Australian Central Credit Union, Knights of the Southern Cross, Adelaide Bank Foundation and DIX Drycleaners.

CHRISTMAS HAMPERS Volunteers and staff worked together with Conferences to arrange collection of food and gifts donated in the spirit of Christmas, by individuals and businesses all around Adelaide.

They then assembled and delivered the food hampers, gifts and a little Christmas joy to those in need thus including them in the Christmas celebrations.

DON FRESH/ AUSTRALIAN PORK DONATION Over the past five years Don Fresh, a division of George Weston Foods and Australian Pork have made a wonderful contribution during the Christmas period towards the St Vincent de Paul Society Vincentian Centre in Whitmore Square, which provides accommodation and meal services for the homeless.

This Christmas 365 kilos, between $4,500 and $5,000 dollars worth of Pork was donated to the Society.

The pork was prepared by butchery students at the Tafe Regency campus. This donation will sustain the kitchen at Whitmore for over four months and is greatly appreciated.

13/3/09 10:06:49 AM

The Saint ST VINCENT DE PAUL SO CIETY (SA) NEWSLETTER

A Message from the State President.

Congratulations to Jenny Papps, Marie Woods, Marie Doyle, Paul Prior and team.

John D’Souza, State President

A HAPPY NEW YEAR TO OUR LOYAL SUPPORTERS. I want to thank you sincerely on behalf of the Society and those whom we serve for your kindness and generosity.

As my time as State President approaches its twilight months, it is fair to say that we have achieved together some very rewarding and exciting outcomes over the last few months.

• Christmas Appeal was well supported by a wonderful Vinnies “Family” donating both food hampers and gifts to those doing it tough.

• The campaign for the first time, features our Secret Santa concept, one we hope will encourage an even wider community sector to support our “good works” into the future.

• We have commissioned a new integrated IT database that will serve the whole of Vinnies in the years ahead.

• To add capacity, Ozanam House refurbishment has been eventually completed and was successfully relaunched on 25th February 2009, Ash Wednesday.

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• In recent weeks we have endured the very serious Victorian bushfires that have claimed hundreds of lives and thousands of homes. What a wonderful effort by South Australians for a sister state in their time of need. Some 30 semitrailer loads of donated goods have been sent to support the recovery process, in addition to the very generous financial contributions.

In particular I applaud the work of Sarah Lucas and her loyal followers who set up their collections warehouse at the Wayville Showgrounds.

National President Syd Tutten and I have spent four weeks in India visiting various Conferences. Of concern is the abject poverty that many endure. Inspirationally the conferences are all supported by many from across the Indian cultural divide. Interestingly the process involves no paid staff.

I was nominated for the Pride of Australia medal in 2008, it was a great privilege to accept this on behalf of everyone in the St Vincent de Paul Society.

Ahead we have Vinnies Week, a celebration of the Society in SA. Come and enjoy the significant ‘good works’ that continue to be performed by many. Then there is the Australian Central Community Lottery and the new Website.

BEQUESTS

COMPEER GROWS

There are many ways we can individually support the ongoing good works of the St Vincent de Paul Society in South Australia.

Compeer our Mental Health support program continues to grow under the guardianship of Sarah Taylor and Krystal Matthews and their dedicated team led by Dr Paul White.

One way is to not forget the St Vincent de Paul Society when making your Will.

By making your bequest or donation you enable Vinnies to continue to provide for an expanding poverty portfolio, grow its mental health support network, encourage its youth and schools participation program, provide food and toys for Christmas hampers, and provide the “hand up” that enables people to take charge of their lives.

Every gift, no matter how large or small, is important in the Society’s good works.

It now has 22 pairings, supplemented by trained volunteers who have formed partnerships with clients during the last year.

Sarah says the program is rewarding for both the volunteer and client.

Activities such as: • Trip to Victor Harbor • Cooking classes • Movies enable the partnerships to flourish.

More volunteers can now be accepted, so contact Sarah on 8112 8722 to discuss Compeer.

HEELS FOR WHEELS

If you would like information about our bequest program, please contact Wayne Broadbridge (08) 8112 8712.

Joan Curnow and Stephen Birrell took a group of our young people to World Youth Day 2008 in Sydney.

We thank you for your ongoing consideration and support.

They had such a wonderful experience they looked to continue the journey.

But what should they do?

How about a jog from Melbourne to Adelaide, a mere 900 km plus journey (off the beaten track) to raise funds for the St Vincent de Paul Society. So Michael Cormack and Joan have committed to the run commencing in April 2009.

You’ll hear more from this very committed and inspirational team in the months ahead. To keep it relevant, they will run up to a marathon per day for 12 days arriving in Adelaide on Sunday 3rd May 2009. We wish them every success.

We must not forget the challenges of drought and a global financial crisis and expected unemployment, which are all new issues to deal with.

One thing is certain; the Society is here for the long haul.

Yours in Christ John D’Souza

Michael Cormack, Joan Curnow, Stephen Birrell & ‘Blues Brothers’ at World Youth Day 2008

13/3/09 10:06:50 AM

The Saint ST VINCENT DE PAUL SO CIETY (SA) NEWSLETTER

VINNIES WEEK / 125 YEAR CELEBRATION The St Vincent de Paul Society in South Australia is 125 years old this year. History shows the Society was formed at a gathering that included E F Troy, “a man of considerable knowledge and experience in the Society overseas”, and attended by Archbishop Reynolds, in May 1884.

It has been a truly remarkable and enduring journey.

Our re-dedication and blessing of Ozanam House has followed a major re-development of the site that sees capacity increased by around thirty percent. Essentially a 1960s building refurbished internally with a new frontage and a new 5 metre extension to the north. Recycling buildings can have strong environmental and economic aspects and in the case of SVdP supports our reputation for recycling. It is now an attractive and functional headquarters that will enable St Vincent de Paul Society in South Australia to meet the future demands placed upon it.

The re-dedication and blessing was conducted by His Grace, Archbishop Philip Wilson DD JCL, Archbishop of Adelaide and

attended by His Excellency Rear Admiral Kevin Scarce and Hon Mike Rann MP, Premier of South Australia, along with 120 guests.

Also in attendance was Bishop Gregory O’Kelly SJ AM DD, Auxiliary Bishop and Vicar General, Monsignor David Cappo, Vicar General, Mr Syd Tutton (National President), St Vincent de Paul, John D’Souza (State President) Hon Rob Lucas representing the Leader of the Opposition, and Hon John Doyle AC, (Chief Justice of South Australia).

DES HANCOCK Congratulations Des on 50 years of dedicated service to the St Vincent de Paul Society in South Australia!

Des Hancock, current State Treasurer and Secretary of the Glenelg Conference, began his service to the St Vincent de Paul Society on 02 November 1958 with Harry Kay, Tom Hill (President), Leo Fahy (Secretary), and Jim Waite (Treasurer) of the Thebarton Conference.

Our congratulations to the steering committee - Marie Woods, Marie Doyle, Paul Prior, Jenny Papps – who together planned and delivered a very memorable occasion.

Des has seen many changes over these 50 years as to how the Society conducts its business.

Our generous Sponsors for the event were Vili’s catering, Burton Nesbitt Graphic Design, Catholic Education Office, Elena Scali, Jane Van Mierle, John Hemmings Photography, Laser 3D, Ochre Digital, Rev Fr Maurice Shinnick OAM.

• Essentially and fundamentally it was run by Conferences and Members.

Architect Steve Duddy and Buildtech (Tony Carrocci and Frank Ziona) have delivered for us a facility that is both “green” and one of which we can all be proud.

Congratulations everyone!

In the “early times”:

• Men’s and women’s activities were separated.

• Meetings were held on the Sunday morning following Mass, with the group referred to as ‘the sewing group’.

• Essentially the St Vincent de Paul Society and the Salvos were serving the poor.

Today Des recognizes the Society’s involvement in many programs – Compeer, Migrant and Refugees, Youth etc – along with increased Government regulations.

Central banking is one positive aspect in recent years, enabling procedures to now be completely transparent.

As South Australia grows, the Society will be challenged in the years ahead to continue to adequately care for the poor. It will need to arrange its activities in the areas of greatest need – such as the Northern and Southern wider Metropolitan area, and will need to work handin-hand with other providers.

The challenge is ahead of us, but we are building a capacity to meet it. Providing we maintain our oneness with Frederick Ozanam, the St Vincent de Paul Society, in its 125th Anniversary, will continue to serve the poor long into the future.

All thanks to all members and volunteers like Des. We most sincerely thank you, Des!

• Clients were referred by the Parish Priest (Fr Smith), who often delivered food parcels at night, to avoid embarrassment to families.

• Conferences were autonomous and paid a levy to the next higher council, and were supported by the local butcher (Jerry Touhy), baker and greengrocer (Cedric Radford).

• Income was from a Secret Collection and the Poor Box. • Soup kitchens were set up in two Catholic Schools in the 1960’s.

• Very little form filling; instead there was a President’s Book.

Archbishop Philip Wilson DD JCL and dignitaries at the re-dedication of Ozanam House

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Des Hancock

13/3/09 10:06:51 AM

The Saint ST VINCENT DE PAUL SO CIETY (SA) NEWSLETTER

MRA TOY RUN 2008 was the 14th year the Society has been the recipient of the toys donated at the Motorcycle Riders Association Toy Run which was held on Sunday 14th December.

It was another successful event and thousands of dollars worth of toys were donated.

This event is always a lot of hard work on the behalf of MRA so we extend a big thank you to them for their wonderful efforts.

We also send a special thank you to Doreen Heslop and her team of volunteers, who each year, spend many hours sorting and packing the toys to be distributed to our Conferences, who then give the toys to the families they are helping at Christmas.

Thanks also to our Mt Barker Conference and Dernancourt Conference who cooked the meat and ran the BBQ and staff who helped on the day. Your assistance and help is very much appreciated!

SECRET SANTA

GIFT WRAPPING AT ADELAIDE CENTRAL PLAZA Adelaide Central Plaza plays an active role in supporting St Vincent de Paul Society, this Christmas they offered a gift wrapping service to their customers with a gold coin donation to Vinnies. Their efforts produced beautifully wrapped gifts for their customers and a wonderful donation of $774 for our Christmas Appeal.

AROUND THE PLACE • Kylie Stagg (nee Turner) gave birth to Ethan Thomas at Calvary Hospital on 1st November 2008.

Congratulations Kylie and Damian.

• Lorraine Martin, our Donor Database Coordinator has left to enjoy life on the farm; we welcome George Abrams to database duties.

• Michelle Mitolo has left for greener pastures at the West Torrens Council.

This year was the first time St Vincent de Paul operated a Secret Santa (or Kris Kringle as it is sometimes known) appeal. This campaign was targeted towards the present giving process in offices and social clubs around Australia where the norm is to receive novelty gifts, calendars or t-shirts.

• We are excited to welcome new members, Annie O’Neill and Amie Brokenshire to the Public Relations and Fundraising Team.

St Vincent de Paul Society’s Secret Santa gave the opportunity to take part in the fun while giving something more meaningful - like support to the many thousands of Australians in need. The way it worked was simple - the Secret Santa money was donated online through vinnies.org.au/secretsanta helping to change the story of someone in need. A number of downloadable cards were available to choose from and were given to colleagues or friends instead of a present, which kept in the spirit of things by poking fun at them.

2009 marks the 25th anniversary of the Community Lottery and it is bigger and better with 130 prizes including a Mitsubishi Lancer, Jurgen Caravan, Boat Jet Ski, a $20,000 International holiday and a $25,000 shopping spree and much more! The value of the prize pool has increased by 40% to over $260,000.

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Terry Hubber from St Vincent de Paul Society is handed over money tins from Rebecca Sutton from Adelaide Central Plaza.

New faces – PR & Fundraising team, Annie O’Neill and Amie Brokenshire

AUSTRALIAN CENTRAL CREDIT UNION LOTTERY

The 2009 Australian Central Community Lottery is now open for sale with tickets available from the St Vincent de Paul Society Conferences or from our office at 202 Franklin Street, Adelaide.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS We wish to thank the following for their ongoing valuable support to the Society: Donors, Members and Volunteers Knights of the Southern Cross

St Vincent de Paul Foundation Adelaide Central Plaza Australian Central Credit Union Community Benefit SA KICK creative

COMING EVENTS 2009 Vinnies Solemn Mass - Sunday 26th April Winter Appeal Launch - Friday 1st May Walk for Warmth - Sunday 3rd May Government House Reception - Monday 4th May Pillars of Society Lunch - Friday 8th May

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