The heart of generosity: A family business supporting community

In the fast-paced world of business, where profit margins often drive decisions, it’s refreshing to encounter a family-owned enterprise that places values and community support at the forefront of its operations.

This is precisely the ethos that defines Secon Freight Logistics, a thriving Truganina-based company led by the Considine family, who have made significant contributions to St Vincent de Paul Society Victoria, affectionately known as Vinnies Victoria.

A Legacy of Family Values

The origins of Secon Freight Logistics trace back to a strong foundation of family values instilled by the late Terry Considine, a visionary whose passion for helping others continues to influence the company's direction. Terry’s dedication to community service has left an indelible mark on his family, who honour his memory by upholding these principles in their business practices.

“My parents have always been supporters of Vinnies,” Brendon Considine remembers, reflecting on many Christmas times when his family brought goods to Vinnies, not having the time to volunteer themselves but driven by the wish to give something to people who were in need – often lacking family support.

The word ‘family’ comes up often when you listen to Brendon Considine, as does the notion of being incredibly grateful to have a family you can rely on when you need support. 

"Many people get in trouble because they don’t have family support,” he says. “They struggle because there is no one there. No one, except, often, for St Vincent de Paul Society," Brendon adds.

And that is where the idea to further support the organisation originated.

Strengthening commitment to support people in need

Secon started as a family business, founded by Jim Seide and Maurie Considine in 1969, ultimately driven to feed their growing families. Maurie’s sons, Brendon, Vin, Matthew and Paul would join the organisation in the 1980ies with his oldest son Terry following in his footsteps as the company’s leader. Terry’s untimely passing in 2014 became a pivotal moment, prompting the family to rally together and strengthen their commitment to supporting people in need. Brendon became CEO and after hearing about the Vinnies CEO Sleepout, he decided to sign up for it in 2015.

Since then, he has become a dedicated participant, having raised $165,000+ over the years in addition to contributions that made the opening of the much-needed Lakes Entrance Assistance Centre in 2023 possible. Since participating as a team, Secon Freight Logistics has collectively raised over $317,000 over the seven events.

Embedding a culture of philanthropy

Fast forward to 2022 when Brendon’s nephew Daniel followed in Brendon’s CEO's footsteps after having joined the organisation with brothers Simon and Michael in the 2000’s. Daniel got involved in the Vinnies CEO Sleepout. His involvement wasn’t just about participation; it was about embedding a culture of philanthropy within the company.

"Brendon’s passion became infectious throughout the company, and we invited Board members to participate too," Daniel notes. "It showed our team that our business is more than just a transport enterprise; it’s a vessel for helping others and giving back to the community.”

"Every year, except for 2016 when I was diagnosed with cancer, I participated in the Sleepout," Brendon adds. "In 2017, I was back, and it was great to see Daniel joining the cause two years ago."

Workplace culture committed to values

This commitment to philanthropy is reflected in the company's approach to business and employee engagement. Secon Freight Logistics supports Vinnies Victoria not only through financial contributions but also by fostering a workplace culture that values community support and involvement.

"When we employ someone, we see it as adding another table of food for a family, not just a wage," Daniel explains. "It’s about celebrating the ability to provide for others and giving our work greater purpose.

"Supporting Vinnies adds purpose to the business. It’s a tough business to be in, and if you don’t have greater purpose, you question whey you are doing it. When you have an underlying purpose it helps you drive the business,” explains Daniel.

In his perspective, Brendon’s passion for adding philanthropy and supporting St Vincent de Paul Society strengthened the drive to grow the business and moving from a small location to a bigger one and finally to the huge, purpose-build, state of the art, logistic centre in Melbourne’s suburb. All of that within five years.

Carrying the Torch Forward

As Secon Freight Logistics continues to grow, the legacy of its founders and leaders, particularly Maurie and Terry, remains a guiding light. Their emphasis on family values and community support has shaped not only the company’s business practices but also its philanthropic endeavours.

"We are fortunate to have had great stability and great leadership that prioritises these values," Daniel asserts. "We recognise that while life can be tough, our responsibility is to keep trying and helping where we can."

For Brendon, the journey from hardship to advocacy underscores the profound impact that organisations like St Vincent de Paul Society Victoria can have on individuals. The Considine’s family story is a testament to the power of support, resilience, and the unwavering spirit of a family committed to making a difference. 

The power of networks and community

The specific reason for taking part in the Vinnies CEO Sleepout, he explains as follows: “At a time when the business was growing, and we were getting a lot of contacts within our business, I thought this is a way to reach out to them and get the support from them. At that time we were not in a position to hand over buckets of money, but I could see that if we could get all the supporters of our business and get them to support while we do it, we were able to raise a lot of funds,” states Brendon. A concept that worked.

Reflecting on the values passed down through generations, Daniel adds, "We are a very close family, and the business has always been about more than just making a profit. If the business got in the way of our family values, we would cease operations. Our family comes first, and that’s why supporting organisations like Vinnies Victoria aligns with who we are."

Secon Freight Logistics, now part of a larger entity, publicly listed and still spearheaded by the Considine family and their values, exemplifies how a family business can transcend traditional roles by integrating philanthropic values into its core mission. Through their involvement with Vinnies Victoria and personal stories of transformation, Daniel and Brendon demonstrate the profound impact of generosity and community support. Their story is a beacon of hope and an inspiring example of how businesses can contribute to the greater good while honouring their legacy of family values.

If you too want to make an impact and support our business and community leaders sleeping out this June, head to the Vinnies CEO Sleepout website.