Share
The National Council of Australia
The St Vincent de Paul Society National Council of Australia aspires to work towards a country transformed by compassion and built on justice.
National Council of Australia purpose
The purpose of our National Council is to represent and guide the Society nationally enabling our State and Territory Councils to achieve the Society's mission.
Our National Council is instituted by the International Council General and guided by the Society’s statutes outlined in The Rule.
National Overview 2023/24
National Overview 2023-24 highlights the broad activities of the Society's National Council, from the revitalising Congress 2023+ in Sydney to our social advocacy work and the commitment of National Membership, Mission, Spirituality and Youth.
Our governance
NATIONAL COUNCIL PREAMBLE
The St Vincent de Paul Society National Council of Australia is united in its spirituality and management through the International Confederation of the St Vincent de Paul Society (The Rule, Part II, Art. 1.1). National Council is instituted by the International Council General (Part III, Art. 15) and follows the international and Australian statutes outlined in The Rule.
The St Vincent de Paul Society in Australia (‘the Society in Australia’) is governed by The Rule which embraces the principle of subsidiarity such that decisions are made as close as possible to the level where activities are performed ensuring local circumstances are taken into consideration (Part I, Art 3.9).
The Society in Australia consists of the National Council and six State Councils and two Territory Councils that together assist the Society’s Members carry out good works.
Under The Rule, the National Council is the Society’s superior council in Australia (Part II, Art. 1.6). National Council authorises the legal entities that operate in Australia in the name of the St Vincent de Paul Society. Each of the Society’s nine councils in Australia is registered as a charity with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profit Commission (ACNC).
National Council and some of the state and territory councils have established and control separate subsidiary legal entities to assist in the good works of the Society. Each subsidiary entity is registered with the ACNC.
This policy integrates The Rule with the Constitution of St Vincent de Paul Society National Council of Australia Inc.
Members of our National Council
Members of our National Council include our President, and the Presidents of our six State and two Territory Councils, our Spiritual Advisor, youth representative, and office bearers. Presidents are elected by Members. Office holders are appointed by the National President. The Spiritual Advisor's role is to facilitate the Council to be ‘genuine communities of faith and love, of prayer and action’ and ‘meet as brothers and sisters with Christ in the midst of them.‘ The Rule.
The members of National Council (The Rule, Art 15) are the members of the St Vincent de Paul Society National Council of Australia Inc. and are the directors of the Association’s board (Association Constitution, Cl 10).
National Council is a member of two related entities:
- St Vincent de Paul (Society) Housing Australia
- St Vincent de Paul Society National Redress Scheme Ltd
Secretariate
National Council Secretariate supports and assists National Council implement its Strategic Plan.
Our Secretariate is led by the National Council CEO, Toby oConnor.
National Council Organisation Chart
National Council media releases
International Impact
The Society’s mission commits us to help those who are disadvantaged in our local community and overseas. We fulfil this commitment by helping those in need in the Asia-Pacific region through the Overseas Partnerships Program (OPP) comprised of the following good works: Twinning, Projects, Assist A Student and Emergency Relief.
Twinning
A supportive partnership between a St Vincent de Paul Society council or conference in Australia and an overseas partner country.
Projects
We help Conferences and Councils in our partner countries undertake good works through local development projects that are sustainable and benefit their community.
Assist A Student
The Assist A Student Program recognises the importance of education as key to helping break the cycle of poverty.
Emergency Relief
When natural or humanitarian disasters impact their country, our overseas partners or CIAD may ask Australia for assistance.
Share this page