Ballarat welcomes return of Vinnies to heart of the city

Ballarat – prepare for Vinnies’ return to the heart of the city’s shopping precinct. St Vincent de Paul Society Victoria (Vinnies Victoria) is excited to unveil its 115th Victorian shop at 75 Bridge Mall during a grand opening on Tuesday 19 March at 9:30 am.

The date will mark a long-awaited comeback after a four-year hiatus, promising a shopping experience focused on value, sustainability and community spirit. "Our budget and environmentally conscious customers will appreciate the new Vinnies VIP shopping experience that provides extra value and excitement," says Neil Harvey, Acting Co-executive General Manager of Commercial.

The new shop boasts a beautiful, light-filled space with easy access. It is strategically positioned in the city's heart and the revitalised Ballarat shopping mall.

6,000+ items across 17 categories for all lifestyles and budgets

With 6,000+ units of clothing and items across 17 categories for all lifestyles, customers will enjoy a diverse range of quality fashion and homewares, including Vinnies own range of tea towels, linen, blankets, socks, books and much more.

A team of 20+ dedicated volunteers – led by a shop and weekend duty managers – will welcome customers, sort, price, and display hundreds of donated items daily, ensuring a wide and ever-changing variety of quality bargains.

Vinnies enduring commitment to Ballarat – 300% increase in calls for assistance

This month marks the charity’s 170th anniversary and reclaiming a spot in Ballarat’s city centre represents St Vincent de Paul Society Victoria’s enduring commitment to helping Australians in need.

In an alarming surge of demand, the St Vincent de Paul Society’s Wendouree Assistance Centre is fully booked during its operating hours, reflecting a staggering 300% increase in individuals seeking assistance since the start of the year.

Similarly, the Ballarat Assistance Centre is grappling with a 25% rise, accommodating the maximum capacity of approximately 50 people on the days it opens its doors for two hours three times a week.

These stark figures underscore the urgent and growing need for support in our community St Vincent de Paul Society Victoria response too.

A proud Ballarat native – Group CEO Dr Jennifer Fitzgerald AM

This shop opening has a special place in the heart of our St Vincent de Paul Society Victoria Group CEO Dr Jennifer Fitzgerald AM – a proud Ballarat native with a deep familial connection to the St Vincent de Paul Society.

"My mother, a devoted member and former treasurer of the St Vincent de Paul Society's Ballarat chapter, instilled in me a profound respect for the organisation's values and its mission of providing a transformative 'hand up' to those in need.

"That's why I hold a deep appreciation for the Vinnies Shop model, where every dollar spent goes back into our community, offering vital assistance and support. It’s a commitment we make to both our loyal customers and the vulnerable individuals who turn to us, often in their darkest hours," says Dr Fitzgerald.

The new shop will be open from 9:30am to 5:00pm Mondays to Saturdays and 10:00am to 5:00pm on Sundays.

Call out for new volunteers

Volunteers, as well as donations from the local community, play a crucial role in the success of the Vinnies Shops, which raise much-needed funds for the St Vincent de Paul Society’s support of people in need in the Ballarat region.

New volunteers are always welcome. Please visit our website site HERE.

- END -

MEDIA ENQUIRIES:

Claudia Loeber-Raab | Media and Content Lead
Claudia.Loeber-Raab@svdp-vic.org.au | 0438 804 023
or
Jen Vuk | Communications Manager
jen.vuk@svdp-vic.org.au | 0418 863 719

ABOUT THE ST VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY:

The St Vincent de Paul Society and its wide network of members and volunteers provide practical frontline support, advocacy and friendship for the most vulnerable members of our community. Key services include home visitation; Vinnies Shops; youth programs; soup vans; assistance for asylum seekers and refugees; education and tutoring; and professional accommodation and health services through VincentCare. The St Vincent de Paul Society in Victoria has 11,000+ members and volunteers, and more than 60,000 across Australia. Internationally, the Society operates in 149 countries and more than 950,000 members. To find out more visit www.vinnies.org.au/vic.