Good Works - 11 May 2023

Volunteers are the heart and soul of St Vincent de Paul Society and National Volunteer Week (15-21 May) is an opportunity to honour the contribution of our 45,000 members and volunteers across the country.

Each day, members of the Society visit people in their homes, providing emergency and ongoing assistance, and companionship to those in need. As well as material and financial support, members can help people to budget more effectively, make referrals to other services and undertake critical advocacy work.

Of course, every week is Vinnies volunteer week, thanks to the efforts of those who work on our food vans and in housing facilities for people who face homelessness and hardship. Other volunteers ensure the efficient running of our retail shops in every state and territory, generating valuable funds to help run vital services. They are also making an important environmental contribution by diverting tonnes of clothing and household goods from landfill.

Without the dedication of our volunteers, we could never undertake the work we do with families and individuals doing it tough. In recent times, our members and volunteers have helped Australians facing drought, bushfires, floods, the pandemic, and the ongoing challenges of rising living costs, uncertain incomes and a lack of secure and affordable housing.

Our members and volunteers cover all age groups and work throughout the country, from cities to regional centres and small country towns. Their work is seldom seen publicly but there is no doubt their efforts are deeply appreciated, as the regular feedback to our conferences confirms.

Yet they seek no thanks, finding joy in offering a hand up to companions in need, respecting their dignity, sharing hope and encouraging them to take control of their own destiny.

On the occasion of this National Volunteer Week, and throughout the year, I thank all our members and volunteers for their wonderful commitment to serving Christ in the poor, in the spirit of the Society’s forebears.

On Tuesday night the Federal Government handed down its much awaited 2023/24 Federal Budget. The Society welcomes initiatives in the Budget to improve the lives of disadvantaged Australians struggling to cope during the current cost of living crisis. High inflation coupled with rising interest rates continues to be a burden on those who can least afford the increases, those on low incomes and recipients of benefit payments.

The cost-of living measures announced on Tuesday night, such as amendments to the eligibility criteria for Parenting Payment Single, assistance with energy costs and the investment in Medicare to improve access to bulk billing, particularly for Commonwealth concession card holders, pensioners and children under 16, are all welcome.

The Society is disappointed that the Government has not listened to the calls from the community, including the Society, to substantially increase JobSeeker. The Budget increase of $2.85 a day is paltry and less than the cost of a loaf of bread. The Society will continue to advocate for a substantial increase in this payment

Budget 2023 - towards a fairer Australia

The Albanese Labor government’s second Budget, delivered by Federal Treasurer Dr Jim Chalmers on 9 May, contained a number of initiatives aimed at improving the lives of disadvantaged Australians, progress that was welcomed by St Vincent de Paul Society National President Mark Gaetani.

However, the Society expressed disappointment about several key shortcomings, including the insufficient response to calls from the community, social welfare advocates and its own Economic Inclusion Advisory Committee to substantially increase the JobSeeker payment.

‘The lack of substantial increases to JobSeeker and Commonwealth Rent Assistance condemns millions of Australians to continue to live in poverty and desperation.

‘The Budget’s increase to JobSeeker of around $2.85 a day is less than a loaf of bread and will do little to help income support recipients survive the current cost-of-living crisis,’ Mr Gaetani added.

Mr Gaetani said the Society welcomes amendments to eligibility criteria for the Parenting Payment Single to single parents whose youngest child is aged up to 14, which will improve the lives of 57,000 single parents, most of whom are women, and their children.

‘This decision, coupled with last Friday’s commitment to abolish the punitive ParentsNext Program, demonstrates the Government is listening to women and advocates about the importance of freeing families from poverty,’ Mr Gaetani said.

However, the Society is disappointed that no commitment has been made to fully reinstate the funding of Status Resolution Support Services (for asylum seekers and refugees): ‘People awaiting determination of their refugee status are perhaps the most disadvantaged in this country, with almost no safety net to draw upon.’ Mr Gaetani said.

Budget announcements welcomed by the Society include:

> electricity bill relief and funding to improve the energy efficiency of low-income households.

*  the 15 per cent increase in Commonwealth Rent Assistance (but is concerned it is insufficient to enable recipients to secure a home in the current out-of-control rental market).

*  the decision to lift the NHFIC liability cap of the Affordable Housing Bond Aggregator by $2 billion to $7.5 billion.

*  the amendment of NHFIC’s Investment Mandate to require the Corporation to allocate a minimum of 1,200 homes to be delivered in each state and territory within five years of the Housing Australia Future Fund commencing operation.

*  the Government’s $3.5 billion investment in Medicare to improve access to bulk billing, particularly for Commonwealth concession card holders, pensioners and children under 16.

*  the investment of $111.7 million for a new one-year remote housing agreement with the NT Government and $100 million over two years for urgent work on housing and essential infrastructure on homelands; the $150 million commitment to improve water security for regional and remote First Nations communities and $20.8 million to undertake urgent repairs and capital works for Aboriginal Hostels Limited.

*  funding to continue merits review of unsuccessful protection visa applications, support for visa holders experiencing domestic and family violence and increased mental health support for culturally and linguistically diverse communities

Housing needs highlighted to Minister

Stressing that St Vincent de Paul Society is ‘the largest homelessness prevention service outside of Government,’ National President Mark Gaetani and the CEO of Amelie Housing, Graham West, met with the Minister for Housing and Minister for Homelessness, The Hon Julie Collins MP, in Hobart recently.

The Minister gave an attentive hearing to the Society’s advocacy for:        

* A review of Commonwealth Rent Assistance and commitment to increase funding.

* Increased private sector investment to replace the National Rental Affordability Scheme.

* Development of national rental standards for landlords and tenants.

In addition, the Society has urged the passing of the Housing and Future Fund Bill by the Senate with reasonable amendments that include:

* Increasing the Fund to $20 billion, as recommended by the Grattan Institute.

* Scrapping the disbursement cap of $500 million. This will not be sufficient beyond year five.

* Quarantining an amount for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander housing

* Indexing of availability payments to ensure the scale and impact of the Housing Australia Future Fund is preserved in real terms.

* Improving representation on the National Housing Supply and Affordability Council.

Tasmania's new State President commissioned

The incoming State President of the St Vincent de Paul Society in Tasmania, Corey McGrath (pictured right with Archbishop Julian Porteous and National President Mark Gaetani) was officially commissioned at a Mass held at the Church of St John the Baptist in Glenorchy on 24 March 2023.

Mr McGrath became the 12^th Tasmanian State President. His term will run until January 2027.

He responded to the honour of his election by saying, ‘The St Vincent de Paul Society in Tasmania is blessed to have so many wonderful, caring and loving members, staff and volunteers.

‘I feel humbled by the responsibility, the long history of the Society and the legacy of our past presidents, and honoured by the trust and faith that has been placed in me by the members and State Council, electing me to the position.

‘I’m excited by the prospects for the future, ensuring that the Society is well placed for the challenges for many more years to come.

‘With the help of God, I will serve the Society to the best of my ability.’

Mr McGrath’s commissioning was attended by the recently elected National President of the Society, Mark Gaetani, who was formerly the Tasmanian State President, family members, friends and supporters of the Society.

Archbishop Julian said, ‘This is both a privilege and a responsibility. Ask for the grace to be a faithful and fruitful disciple of Jesus, putting into practice the great injunction to love God and to love thy neighbour.’

Corey McGrath has extensive community involvement, including as Chair of the Launceston Tornadoes, an independent board member of NOSS Tasmania Inc, a not-for-profit organisation supporting people with disability, President of Scouts Tasmania and Vice-Chair of the board of Scouts Australia.

Photo courtesy of Josh Low, Catholic Standard, Tasmania

Charities unite to urge 'Raise the Rate'

Jennifer Kirkaldy, General Manager, Policy and Advocacy, The Salvation Army, ACT Senator David Pocock and St Vincent de Paul Society National Council CEO Toby oConnor at Parliament House on 26 April.

St Vincent de Paul Society National Council CEO Toby oConnor was among community sector leaders who addressed a press conference at Parliament House on 26 April organised by Senator David Pocock.

In the lead-up to the Federal Budget the focus was to urge the Federal Government to deliver a substantial increase to JobSeeker, Youth Allowance and related payments as recommended by the Economic Inclusion Advisory Committee.

Raise the Rate open letter.

Winter Appeal 2023 launched

The St Vincent de Paul Society’s annual Winter Appeal will focus on the number of older women experiencing and at risk of homelessness.

‘The Vinnies Winter Appeal is crucially important in enabling our services and members to support people experiencing disadvantage and hardship, particularly the concerning number of older women experiencing or at risk of homelessness,’ NSW CEO Yolanda Saiz said.

 ‘The latest census figures revealed women over 55 remain one of the most at-risk demographics, increasing by 37% over the past decade to more than 7,300 across Australia.

‘We understand that times are tough right now with the rising cost of living, but we ask that people give generously if they are in a position to do so,’ Ms Saiz said.

NSW State President Paul Burton said, ‘We’ve seen that 30 per cent of people seeking assistance from our members are doing so for the first time, while four-in-five people are reaching out for support with food.'

Donations can be made at https://www.vinnies.org.au/nswwinterwarmthappeal, on 13 18 12 and at all Vinnies Shops. Donations over $2 are tax deductible.

June's longest night awaits CEO sleepers

St Vincent de Paul Society (Tas) CEO, Heather Kent, General Manager of Blundstone Arena and CEO Sleepout Ambassador, Scott Woodham, and St Vincent de Paul Society (Tas) State President, Corey McGrath.

The cold winter night of Thursday 22 June will be marked around Australia by the Society’s largest fundraising event, the Vinnies CEO Sleepout.

Last year, 1,471 participants across Australia raised over $9.6 million. The Vinnies CEO Sleepout has been running since 2006 and raised more than $80 million nationally over the lifetime of the event.

The Tasmanian leg will take place simultaneously at two locations - UTAS Stadium, Invermay, Launceston and Blundstone Arena, Bellerive, Hobart. Both events will run from 6.00pm to 6.00am. The goal is to raise $160,000 to provide support to those experiencing homelessness in the state.

The CEO Sleepout is an annual fundraising event that brings together CEOs plus business and community leaders from across the country to spend a night sleeping rough to raise awareness and funds for homelessness. 

St Vincent de Paul Society Tasmania CEO, Ms Heather Kent, said, ‘Homelessness is a growing concern in Tasmania, and it is crucial that we take immediate action to address the issue. The CEO Sleepout is an excellent opportunity for the whole community to come together to support those who are most in need in our society; either by participating in or donating to the 2023 CEO Sleepout.’

St Vincent de Paul Society NSW CEO, Yolanda Saiz, said, ‘The Sleepout gathers CEOs, managing directors, and business and community leaders to learn about the problems caused by homelessness directly.

‘Participants not only raise critical funds but also use their privilege and influence to find ways they can help us bring about change in regards to housing and homelessness solutions

SVDP hosts Oceania meeting

In April 2023, Vincentian leaders from across Oceania met for three days in Sydney to share their experiences, learn from each other and identify pathways and collaborations to strengthen their Societies and support their much-needed good works.

The conference theme of Serve: Respect: Share guided the program, sessions and the interactions of participants.

The meeting was convened by the Society’s Council General International ’Oceania Team’ comprising the International Territorial Vice President-Oceania and the Zone Coordinators, Projects, Twinning, Formation and Training, Safeguarding and Youth representatives. 

Participants came from Australia, the Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, New Zealand, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste, Tonga and Vanuatu.

The National President of the Society in Solomon Islands, Sr Julian Ketei said, ‘Thank you so much for bringing us together. We really appreciate it and thank you from our heart. I hope and believe all the National Presidents from Oceania will bring something back to their countries from the meeting. All the members in our country will learn more from us after having been here.’

National President, Mark Gaetani said supporting the event was an important part of furthering the Society in Australia’s relationships with our Oceania partners and fulfilling our shared Vincentian Mission.

+ St Louise de Marillac - Feast Day 9 May

Born 12 August 1591, Paris, died: 15 March 1660.

Since 2016, the Feast Day of St Louise de Marillac, the Patroness of Social Workers has been celebrated on 9 May, the day of her beatification in 1920.

Raised by her father, Louise was educated by the Dominican sisters and went on to become one of the best educated women of her time.

She married the secretary to the Queen Mother, socialising with French royalty and aristocracy and raising a son. Her husband died in 1625 and Louise became friends with Vincent de Paul, ordained a priest at age 19.

Foreshadowing the conference work of the Society of St Vincent de Paul in the years to come, which continues to the present day, Louise dedicated her time to helping abandoned children on the streets, visiting the prison hospital and establishing a kitchen for visitors to prepare food for prisoners.

Louise pushed for every French village to have its own clinic, school nurse and teacher and with Vincent, she started the Daughters of Charity to help abandoned children, the poor and sick, wounded soldiers, slaves, people who were mentally ill and the elderly.

Louise de Marillac is the patron saint of sick people, widows and orphans. In 1960, Pope John XXIII proclaimed her the Patroness of Social Workers.

Acknowledgement of Country plaque unveiled

Corey Walker, a Traditional Owner of the lands of the Yorta Yorta people, and St Vincent de Paul Society Victoria CEO, Paul Turton launching the Acknowledgement of Country plaque at the Vinnies shop in Shepparton. It is the first in-store plaque in the state and will be followed by 110 more.

Mr Turton called the plaque ‘a small step in Vinnies’ reconciliation action plan,’ adding, ‘this is a place that sits on Yorta Yorta land, and because it sits here, it is our intention to build a relationship with Yorta Yorta people and all Aboriginal people.’

Photo by Rechelle Zammit/Shepparton News

Nearly 1-in-4 homeless are younger

The results of the latest (2021) Census were released in March, with some 122,494 people estimated to be experiencing homelessness on Census night. Males made up 55.9 per cent of people experiencing homelessness; females made up 44.1 per cent.

The nationwide population survey found that 23.0 per cent of all people experiencing homelessness were aged from 12 to 24 years, and 17,646 (14.4 per cent) were aged under 12 years.

This was an increase of 6,067 people from the Census of five years earlier.

‘The Society is seeing a significant increase in demand for support – up around 20 per cent in NSW for example – as more and more Australians struggle to afford life’s essentials, including a safe place to call home,’ said National President Mark Gaetani.

‘Along with other major charities and foodbank providers, we know that we have to prepare for even further increases in demand as we move into the winter months.’

Social Profile of the Catholic Community

Social Profile of the Catholic Community in Australia was produced by the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference and based on the 2021 Australian Census.

It reported that Catholics numbered 5,075,910, or 20 per cent of the total population of 25, 422,788. The median age of Catholics is 43 years, with 19.9 per cent being over 65 years. 1,369,744 were born overseas and 135,686 identified as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders.

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