St Vincent de Paul Society Canberra/Goulburn Limited Board of Directors

Brian Stacey has been a member of the South Woden conference since 2013 and also served as the President in Cairns of a conference for several years providing emergency relief to families in their homes with his fellow members. He has a deep understanding of the needs in the community and the role the Society plays in giving people a hand-up every day.

Brian brings extensive leadership in the public policy sphere and academic experience where he was recently serving as a Professor in Practice at the Australian National University.

Stewart Chapman is a retired senior public servant with the ACT Government working in the Chief Minister’s Department, Treasury and the Environment Department. Prior to becoming a public servant Stewart was a College Assistant Deputy Principal in Sydney. Stewart has extensive tertiary qualifications in Economics, Accounting, Administrative Management, Science and Environment Studies.

As well, Stewart has law qualifications and has been admitted to the ACT Supreme Court as a Barrister and Solicitor. Stewart has been a director of the Amelie Housing Board since 2018. Stewart has been a member of the St Vincent De Paul Society since 2005.

Patrick Supple, with a background in NSW and Commonwealth Public Services and a former business owner in Canberra, now focuses on sustainability, AI, and local charity work. Since joining Vinnies Canberra Goulburn in 1986, he has become the Molonglo Regional President and serves on the St Vincent De Paul Society's board.

Paula Bounds is a former Catholic High School Principal and Educator with 35 years’ experience in Catholic Education in Sydney and post graduate qualifications in Educational Leadership. She moved to Canberra in October 2020 and was keen to become involved in volunteering. The St Vincent de Paul society was the obvious choice as her father was a long-term St Vincent de Paul Conference member and she also participated in Night Patrol with her students in Sydney.

She joined the Holy Family Gowrie Conference as a member in 2021 and became Conference President in 2022. In 2022 she also commenced as a volunteer call taker on the Canberra Goulburn Vinnies Helpline. In 2023 she attended Congress 23+ in Sydney and in 2024 became the Secretary of the Tuggeranong Monaro Regional Council.  Each of these roles has provided her with an enhanced understanding of the works, achievements and the present and future challenges of the St Vincent de Paul Society and has inspired her to want to play a larger role in the future direction of the Society.

Matthew Bennett has been a Vinnie’s volunteer since 2021. He is a third generation Vinnies volunteer currently involved in Vinnie’s youth programs, the ANU conference, and the Timor-Leste working group, having also volunteered in the Narrabundah Vinnies store previously during college. Matthew currently studies at ANU while also managing a part time corporate job.

Helen is Managing Director of Communication Link, a Canberra based consultancy business. She has over 30 years’ industry experience across community, government and business sectors including time as Executive Director of Canberra Business Council. Helen works through her business and community service to provide a voice for diverse communities across Canberra and region.

Catherine Carter is a recognised business leader with a career that features senior executive roles with peak bodies including Engineers Australia and the Property Council of Australia. Catherine has a deep commitment to diversity and inclusion and has played a pivotal role in shaping the future of several organisations. She is also the founder of the networking forum Salon Canberra.