St Vincent de Paul Society Tasmania welcomes new State President

The St Vincent de Paul Society (Tas), a state-wide charity with a focus on elevating awareness of homelessness and assisting the most vulnerable in our communities, has announced the appointment of Mr Corey McGrath as the Society’s next State President. Mr McGrath is based in Ulverstone and will succeed retiring State President, Mr Mark Gaetani, who is assuming the role of National President of the St Vincent de Paul Society in 2023.

Mr McGrath’s agenda for the Society over his four-year term as State President includes furthering the organisation’s vision to engage with and mentor young Tasmanians, particularly disadvantaged young people, who miss out on many opportunities enjoyed by their peers.

“I am honoured to be elected as the 12th State President of the St Vincent de Paul Society in Tasmania. I am looking forward to supporting young people and the most vulnerable in our community to share in everything Tasmania has to offer. Disadvantaged people and families face numerous challenges that most of us take in our stride. Vinnies’ goal is to dismantle the systemic barriers of inequality by offering a hand up to those in need,” Mr McGrath said.

“The COVID-19 pandemic, followed by a cost-of-living crisis, has demonstrated the need for charities to support the most vulnerable in our communities. Children suffer the most when families are torn apart by domestic violence, financial difficulties, food poverty, and disassociation due to insecure accommodation. Without support from Vinnies, many children and families will carry the effects of disadvantage for their whole lives. Our role as a compassionate Society, is to break the poverty cycle, prepare those we assist for a better future, and support them through the process.

“Looking to the next four years, my focus will be on developing a dynamic and sustainable membership model that will allow the Society to continue serving, as well as meet the future needs, of disenfranchised and disadvantaged Tasmanians. My personal goal is to build on the foundation established by the immediate past State President, Mark Gaetani; including advocating for the homeless and those at risk of homelessness, working with government and the community to assist those in need, and continuing our programs, such as Vinnies and Loui’s Vans, supporting our state-wide Special Works, and building more accommodation where it is most needed; as demonstrated by social housing shortages,” Mr McGrath added.

Outgoing State President, Mr Mark Gaetani, congratulated Mr McGrath on his new role; adding that he is looking forward to working with him to implement the Society’s Mission over the next four-years.

“Having worked with Corey on State Council, I know that his values and commitment to the Society are beyond question. His interest in attracting younger members to the Society, as well as continuing our advocacy for the homeless and those at risk of homelessness, means that Tasmanians in need have a strong, compassionate advocate for their welfare in Corey and the Society, Mr Gaetani said.

Mr McGrath brings more than 25 years of experience working with and assuming leadership roles, including the Chair of the Launceston Tornadoes, an independent board member of NOSS Tasmania Inc. and a board member of Scouts Australia. He joined the St Vincent de Paul Society in 2016 and has served as a member of the State Council since 2019.

Mr McGrath has extensive professional experience in related industries, including past and current roles as a non-executive director, a financial markets advisor, business manager, and in information technology. His term as State President of the St Vincent de Paul Society (Tas) starts in January 2023 and runs until January 2027.

MEDIA NOTES: The St Vincent de Paul Society was founded in Paris, France in 1833 by a 20-year old Italian student, Frederic Ozanam. Today, the Society operates in 153 countries and has over 800,000 members. Australia has over 60,000 members, dedicated to assisting people in need and combating social injustice. The Society started in Tasmania in 1899 when founders established a Conference in Launceston. From humble beginnings, the Society has grown to 25 Conferences within three Regional Councils across Tasmania. Each Conference undertake a variety of good works, the most recognised being the traditional Vincentian home visits and the annual CEO Sleep-out to draw attention to homelessness.

_{Media contact, Mark Wells: +61 414 015 966 (24-hours)
© St Vincent de Paul Society and MWPA.}