We see… We hear… We help… How we are helping in rural Victoria

An appeal to help struggling Victorian families suffering the devastating effects of drought and bushfi res was launched by the St Vincent de Paul Society in January.

Vinnies members and volunteers in drought declared areas of Victoria are working tirelessly to assist people in dire need.

Last year the Society provided more than $2 million in assistance to over 40,000 families in country Victoria. Another $3.5 million was provided in the remainder of the State. Early indicators are that demand for material aid has increased by up to 30 per cent as a direct result of the drought and bushfi res.

Society members have provided drinking water to families in the worst affected drought areas and practical relief in the wake of bushfi res.

Families throughout drought declared areas of Victoria have also contacted the Society to seek fi nancial aid to pay for books and uniforms so that children could start the 2007 school year.

St Vincent de Paul Society Mid-Murray regional president Phil Stiles said this year was one of the busiest on record.

“We normally only see one or two families a day at this time of the year. This year we are seeing more than triple that number. In Echuca on one day we wrote cheques worth around $3,000 so that struggling families could pay for their kids books and uniforms,” she said.

“The families we are seeing are coming to us for the fi rst time to seek assistance. They have told us that without our help their kids wouldn’t have been going back to school,” Mrs. Stiles said.

The Society is helping rural Victoria with assistance for bills, utilities and food vouchers as well as involvement in pampering and information days for rural women.

Donations to the appeal will help St Vincent de Paul Society members provide practical assistance in the areas where it is most urgently needed. Donations can be made online at www.vinnies.org.au or by phoning 13 18 12. ■

A NEWSLETTER FOR SUPPORTERS OF THE ST VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY IN VICTORIA MARCH 2007

Society

President’s MessageDear Friends of the Society,I am grateful to have the opportunity of thanking you again for the way you assist us in keeping the Society going.

The concept of stakeholders is very common in the business world, and I think it is useful to extend it to the charity and welfare sector. When you think `about it, the stakeholders are the organisation; they all play a part in its continuance and in its ultimate success.

For the Society our stakeholders are our members and volunteers, our donors, our friends and supporters and the people we assist in their time of need. There are some less obvious stakeholders as well, such as the media and the public generally. If we were to lose the support of any of these groups then the Society would be less able to do what it does.

When you see an organisation as an interrelationship of groups, it is easier to recognise the part that you play and to recognise how vital it is. We certainly recognise the importance of what donors do and the need to ensure that we apply your gifts meaningfully. I hope you fi nd the articles on drought relief and our new aged care facility at Hamlyn Heights informative.

With every good wish,

Jim GrealishState President ■

Victorian State President Jim Grealish

Thank you for supporting our Christmas Appeal and Appeal for Victorian Families. Together, both appeals have raised almost $570,000, to assist families in need.

We were also privileged to have the support of a number of companies whose staff collected Christmas gifts for children and families. Gifts are distributed in time for Christmas each year along with hampers and vouchers to the many deserving families that we visit. ■

Thank you

Society

Danielle from the Department of Justice with the gifts collected by fellow employees

Every night of the year the four Victorian soup van services provide basic meals and offer friendship to more than 540 people. You may come across a soup van in the city, but did you know that the St Vincent de Paul Society provides soup van services in Collingwood, Fitzroy, Footscray and Moe. Last year, the soup van volunteers, affectionately known as ‘Vannies’, served 176,150 meals.

Additional fi nancial support from Xavier College, Ford employee workplace giving, Young Professionals for Charity – ‘Globall’ and a number of community groups has helped to keep the soup vans rolling. Your donation to the St Vincent de Paul Society is vital in ensuring that this service continues into the future. ■

Soup Vans keep rolling along

Geelong Aged Care Update

The construction of the new complex is progressing on time and within budget. It is anticipated that residents from Vincentian House and Rosalie House will be able to move into their new home late this year.

Designed by Architects Woodhead International, well renowned for their work in aged care design, the new facility incorporates many environmentally sustainable initiatives. It will incorporate

water harvesting to supply garden, toilet and laundry needs and thermal massing techniques to help maintain a comfortable internal temperature for the residents.

The new facility will provide a high level of amenities for the residents. Most accommodation is in single rooms with ensuites. It is designed in four ‘pods’ – three residential wings of 30, 30 and 31-beds, and a central administrative wing. Care has been taken with the design to

ensure residents feel at home, with easy access to the living rooms, water wise garden and courtyard areas.

The total cost of the project, including land acquisition is close to $14million. The construction of the complex has been fully funded by St Vincent de Paul Aged Care & Community Services with local fundraising taking place in Geelong over the remainder of the year to assist with furniture, fi ttings and landscaping. ■

Established just four years ago and growing steadily, the Forever Friends bequestors group get together several times a year.

This wonderful group of supporters have all made the decision to include the St Vincent de Paul Society in their will and we greatly appreciate having the opportunity to thank Forever Friends in person. “It is a privilege to meet people who have thought carefully about their legacy and decided to support the future work of the Society” says Bequest Co-ordinator, Sue Pitt. “I particularly enjoy giving Forever Friends the opportunity to meet staff and volunteers in programs in which they have an interest”.

Val Podbury was amongst the Forever Friends who attended our recent lunch with the Governor of Victoria. “It was a really enjoyable event.” said Val, “I was amazed to learn how extensive the work of the St Vincent de Paul Society is, particularly in the area of aged care. I also enjoyed meeting the managers and hearing how the money is spent.”

Forever Friends are also invited to the occasional Feast Day Mass and other special events such as the annual Ozanam Lecture.

If you are interested in joining Forever Friends or would like to discuss leaving a bequest to the Society, phone Sue Pitt on 9895 5821. ■

Forever Friends

Society

Forever Friends member Val at a recent lunch with the Victorian Govenor

An artist’s impression of the Hamlyn Heights redevelopment

There was a fantastic response to the Wiggles competition in Vinnies Centres late last year. CEO, Brian Dalton drew the winner of the competition and the winner was contacted immediately.

Mrs Gabrielle Lemoyne from Surrey Hills entered the competition at her local Mont Albert Vinnies Centre. When we called her to tell her she had won, an excited Mrs Lemoyne called her husband to tell him she’d won a ‘Big Red Car’! Well, not quite a real car but a Wiggles Big Red Car bed and bedroom set. Mrs Lemoyne said that she has a fi ve year old daughter and a two year old son who is just about ready to move from a cot to a bed so the timing was perfect. ■

SocietyFor the third year, the Wiggles invited St Vincent de Paul Society volunteers to collect donations during their national tour.

Over fi fty volunteers including Vinnies Youth, corporate volunteers from Ford and Coles and Vinnies staff took part in the collections over two days at the Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne.

Thank you to everybody who took part and to all the children and parents who donated. A total of $5,041.60 was donated and used to assist families who turned to Vinnies for help. ■

Over $5,000 collected at the Wiggles concerts in Melbourne

Vinnies Youth volunteers outside the Rod Laver Arena

Wiggles competition winner announced

Vinnies Centres are the retail arm of the St Vincent de Paul Society and are the major source of income for the Society’s good works. Vinnies Centres provide furniture, clothing and household goods to families in need. The remainder of donated goods are sold and the proceeds are used to help fund the work of the Society. There are currently 94 Vinnies Centres in Victoria. ■

This arm of the Society was established in 2003 to provide professional services in the complex areas of: aged care, homelessness, outreach services, domestic violence support, drug and alcohol rehabilitation, health services and supported employment options. The majority of programs receive some government funding, however donations are always needed to provide services over and above the government funded level. ■

Much of the Society’s work is carried out through its voluntary members who visit people in their own homes and provide material assistance, support and friendship to people in need. The Society relies on the generosity of the public and the dedication of its volunteers to carry out its good works. St Vincent de Paul Society is the parent company of St Vincent de Paul Aged Care & Community Services and has representation on their board of directors ■

Contact: 43 Prospect St, Box Hill, Victoria, 3128. Phone: (03) 9895 5800 Fax: (03) 9895 5850 E-mail: info@svdp-vic.org.au

For credit card donations visit www.vinnies.org.au or call 131812

State Manager of Vinnies Centres – Tony Thornton, competition winner – Gabrielle Lemoyne, Chair of Vinnies Centres board of management – Tony Tome.