Spring 2021 Record - The Record
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
Record
The
Spring 2021
I N TH I S I S S U E
3 President’s Column 24 Catholics for Refugees: PNG
Claire Victory and Australia
The Society is a lay Catholic
Tim McKenna
4 Happy 140th Birthday,
organisation that aspires to live the Vinnies NSW 26 PNG Bishops urge Australia
Gospel message by serving Christ in
Leo Tucker to end the ‘Pacific solution’
the poor with love, respect, justice,
hope and joy, and by working to shape 5 Faith and Vinnies journeys 27 Our moral duty towards
a more just and compassionate society. ‘intrinsically linked’ Afghan refugees
This logo represents the hand of Christ Bradley Hocking Bishop Vincent Nguyen
that blesses the cup, the hand of love Van Long O.F.M. Conv.
that offers the cup, and the hand of 6 Papal honour for
suffering that receives the cup. Armidale’s ‘Go-to Man’ 28 Christians demand more
help for Afghans
Our Strategic Goals: Spirituality 8 ‘Tonight is a highlight of Tim Mckenna
and Membership, Our Advocacy, Our our 50 years in Vinnies…’
Governance and Leadership, Our Work 29 Young people living out
Together, Our Sustainability 9 ‘I’m looking forward to this the Vincentian Charism
historic Church meeting’ Kate Halstead
The Record is published regularly each
Claire Victory
year by the National Council of the St
Vincent de Paul Society in Australia.
30 From the CEO
10 Church at the crossroads Toby oConnor
National Council
12 Church urges action for 32 Passages program scores a
PO Box 243
Deakin West, ACT, 2600
the Earth and the poor hit with young people
Phone: 02 6202 1200 13 Australia’s face of Deanna Watson
Email: media@svdp.org.au homelessness is changing 34 Vinnies Victoria goes solar in
Web: vinnies.org.au Claire Victory a win-win for the environment
Editor: Toby oConnor and people in need
14 PM contacted again on
Design: Damon Carr Dee Rudebeck
damon.com.au
charity control legislation
The St Vincent de Paul Society in 16 NSW Auditor-General 36 Beautiful one day, (almost)
Australia acknowledges that we are marks down response to perfect the next
on Aboriginal land. We pay respects Homelessness Strategy Callum Johnson
to all traditional custodians. This Robin Osborne 37 Canberra/Goulburn adapts to
publication may contain images of
deceased members of the Aboriginal 18 Health deficits (should not) the COVID-19 lockdown
and Torres Strait Islander community. result from social inequity 38 Facing the coronavirus
They are used with the greatest Rose Beynon challenges
respect and appreciation.
23 Homelessness report should Dee Rudebeck
Opinions expressed in this be a ‘blueprint for action’
publication are not necessarily 40 Marking the Feast Day of
those of the publishers. Blessed Frederic Ozanam
ISSN 2652-8894
The St Vincent de Paul Society
in Australia consists of 60,000 On the cover… The golden wattle (Acacia pycnantha Benth.), which
members and volunteers bursts into flower in early Spring, is Australia’s national floral emblem,
who operate on the ground displaying the national colours of green and gold. As one species of
through over 1,000 groups a large genus of flora growing across Australia, the golden wattle is
located in local communities regarded as a symbol of unity.
across the country.
Wattle is ideally suited to withstand Australia’s droughts, winds and
bushfires, and in so doing its resilience represents the spirit of our
people. The golden wattle has been used in the design of Australian
stamps and many awards in the Australian honours system. A single
wattle flower is the emblem of the Order of Australia.
Available online: Many of Australia’s First Nations people soaked the gum of the golden
record.vinnies.org.au wattle in water and honey to produce a sweet, toffee-like substance. The
tannin from the bark was known for its antiseptic properties.
2 THE RECORD | SPRING 2021
C L A I R E V I C T O R Y | frontlines
President’s Column
BY CLAIRE VICTORY
A s I write this, I’ve just
posted off my 2021
census form. As a bit
of a paperwork nerd, I love a
good form; as a proud citizen, I
appreciate having the right and
responsibility to provide the
Australian Bureau of Statistics with
some key details about myself and
my household.
The ABS website describes the
census as ‘the most comprehensive Claire Victory
snapshot of the country and
tells the story of how we are Mini Vinnies, members of high is there a disconnect between our
changing…it tells us about the school and college conferences, inward and our outward behaviour?
economic, social and cultural and volunteer members working
make-up of the country’. This Do we truly welcome people and
in our shops and in other special treat them with love and respect,
enables governments and works. This is a cause for optimism
businesses to make decisions about or do we engage in discriminatory
and celebration, but we also need conduct?
infrastructure and to plan local to ask ourselves: if this is who we
services for individuals, families are, are we acting and planning Do we encourage younger people,
and communities. accordingly? women and people from diverse
In other words, it helps to paint backgrounds and life experiences
There is strong evidence that Gen to take on leadership roles, and
the picture of who we are, and this
Y and Gen Z seek out places to mentor and support them when
informs how we respond to the
work and volunteer that align they do, or do we dismiss and
needs of our population and plan
with their values. This isn’t just undermine their contributions?
for our future.
relevant to the values present
Within the Society, we haven’t in an organisation’s work or Do we call out aggressive,
always been great at understanding involvement on the community; intimidating and disrespectful
our own demographics. We are it also applies to the culture behaviour in our conference and
not always consistent with who and internal workings of the council meetings, or do we stand
we count as members or how we organisation. by while people are bullied and
measure and value the contribution harassed?
of Vincentians across Australia. This An organisation can do lots of
Do we want to do – and
has frequently led us to despair good work in the community, but
be – better, or are we content
that our membership is in decline if its commitment to its values and
for Gen Y and Z members and
and that we do not attract young mission doesn’t extend to the way
potential members to vote with
people, and we formulate all people treat each other within the
their feet and leave us bemoaning
sorts of explanations and possible organisation, or the way its leaders
the fact that young people are
solutions without stepping back behave, then young people will
underrepresented within the
and asking how accurate and vote with their feet and leave. This Society’s leadership?
comprehensive our ‘snapshot’ is. can be particularly challenging in
a volunteer environment, where Our snapshot tells us that we have
In his article in the Autumn 2021 codes of conduct and disciplinary a large, active youth contingent
edition of The Record, National policies may be less well within the Society. We should
Council Vice President Jacob Miller developed, understood or applied be listening to those younger
explained that when we look at than in a standard workplace. members and encouraging their
how many people aged under input when it comes to developing
40 are actively engaged with the As hard as it may be, we need our organisational culture. R
Society, we find that the number to ask ourselves: do our internal
is 28,500, or roughly a third of the relationships embody the values Claire Victory is the National President of
Society in Australia. This includes that inform our good works, or the St Vincent de Paul Society in Australia.
S T V I N C E N T D E PA U L S O C I E T Y A U S T R A L I A 3
spirituality and membership | L E O T U C K E R
Happy 140th Birthday, Vinnies NSW
BY LEO TUCKER By 1884, Charles O’Neill had is a place of our Vincentian spirit
established a higher body, a lived out in the marketplace of
“Whatever your work is, put your Particular Council of Sydney, local communities.
heart into it as if it were for God from which he influenced
In 1938 a different journey began
and not for others…It is God that philanthropic activities across
for us at 420 Kent Street. This site
you are serving.” - Paul’s letter to Sydney. The Particular Council
was formally known as St John’s
the community in Colossae. also provided an avenue for
Church Sydney and was the first
O
growing Conferences to share
initiatives and assist each other in establishment of the Matthew
n the evening of 24 July Talbot Hostel. It was blessed
1881, 140 years ago growth. This was the beginning of
the Metropolitan Council and then by Archbishop, later Cardinal,
(and 27 years after the Norman Gilroy and was dedicated
Society’s founding in Melbourne later in 1927, Regional, Central
and finally State Councils. by the Society as a hostel for
by Fr Gerald Ward), in the crypt ‘friendless’ men, named after the
area of St Patrick’s Church in Fundraising began small - from Dublin dockworker and reformed
Grosvenor Street, The Rocks the the humble poor box in local alcoholic, Matt Talbot.
first Conference was established parishes, to grander charity
in Sydney. balls, raffles, charity bazaars and Today, as we continue our
entertainments. Recruitment of journey of the St Vincent de
This meeting, supported spiritually Paul Society in NSW, let us ask
volunteers and members was
and physically by the Marist ourselves: How well do we really
generally from Catholic parishes
Fathers, was the final coming listen to the voices in need? Do
although support for the good
together of much work in raising we listen to their stories? Do we
works of the fledgling Society was
awareness of the importance of acknowledge their potentials?
widespread.
the Society’s charitable works, How do we care through the
especially in the slums of the dock In 1889, St Patrick’s Conference in values of Compassion, Respect,
areas by Charles Gordon O’Neill the Rocks instituted a risky new Commitment, Integrity, Empathy,
(1828-1900). project. This was the St Patrick’s Advocacy, and Courage?
Penny Savings Bank, established
O’Neill built the Society during the primarily for encouraging Happy birthday to you all as One
1880s applying the experience he habits of saving and economy Society of devoted members,
had gained in Glasgow and New in children, particularly in The dedicated staff and compassionate
Zealand. During a couple of years, Rocks and other inner Sydney caring volunteers. May we all in
he established additional Society suburbs. It was used by Catholic one Vincentian spirit continue our
conferences in Sydney: those of and non-Catholic depositors alike good works through tough times
St Francis’s Haymarket, St Mary’s (the Society embraced inclusivity and times of celebrations and may
Cathedral, St Benedict’s Broadway, from its origins), and parents also the eternal God bless us each
St Thomas’ Lewisham, and even as could be depositors. No limit was step in the journeys ahead of
far as Braidwood. placed on the amount deposited. service to the vulnerable working
This crude banking system saved in compassion for a more just and
Such early growth of the Society
many struggling families through hope filled society.
outside of the initial establishment
at St Patrick’s and the continued the crushing economic depression This, then, seems to be the work
communications between O’Neill years. of the Spirit: to keep you growing
and the International Council was In the 1920s, the Society is to keep you vulnerable to life
possibly the reason the Society established our places of charity… and love itself. Notice that the
remained strong in NSW. there is more to our Vinnies major metaphors for the Spirit
stores than pre-loved clothes, are always dynamic, energetic,
In addition to mainstream
although we now have nearly 250 and moving. Spirit-led people
assistance such as food, clothing,
stores across NSW, these humble never stop growing and never
travel and medicines, he gained
Vinnies stores offering a beacon stop changing and recognising
approval from the International
of hope to many and being an the new moments of opportunity.
Council to provide rent money
important part of the story of our (Fr Ron Rolheiser) R
for Sydney’s struggling families. State and nation.
Providing rent assistance was
Leo Tucker is the Executive Director
unique and only particular to St Vincent de Paul Society is a Mission and Spirituality St Vincent de Paul
Sydney. place of charity and visitation. It Society of NSW.
4 THE RECORD | SPRING 2021
B R A D L E Y H O C K I N G | spirituality and membership
Faith and Vinnies journeys
‘intrinsically linked’
BY BRADLEY HOCKING My family at the
B
2020 Toy Run.
ecoming a Vincentian
started with a mistake.
My youth group double
booked a church hall on the
same night as another group. That
group was the amazing Vinnies
conference at Seacombe Gardens.
Due to their welcoming nature and
focus on assisting companions, I
soon became a member.
Years later, another chance
encounter sat me next to Cathy lucky enough to be juggling a behind tokenistic gestures to
Beaton at the National Congress. young family, working as an excuse continued discrimination of
Cathy was the SA State President engineer, part of a wonderful oppressed groups. But rather than
at the time and mentored me for group of friends, and experiencing let these fears consume me, I’m
years, to a point where I was able many more of life’s joys. And these trying to play a small part, and this
to take on the State President role. aspects of life are not exclusive. excites me.
Although I have had many My kids are often with me at There is a lot to get excited about
volunteering roles (mostly sporting Vinnies events. They never miss with Vinnies SA this year. These
clubs) before Vinnies, I lived most an opportunity to visit a Vinnies are a few initiatives of particular
of my life ignorantly unaware centre, but we usually have a interest:
of the services that Vinnies and 10:1 policy – need to donate • Our further push into supporting
similar organisations contributed to 10 toys to buy one each. asylum seekers and refugees
the community. This was despite I currently work as a consultant through advocacy,
growing up in the southern engineer at Copperleaf
suburbs of Adelaide, where family • Our new focus in tackling the
Technologies, and am very low-cost housing crisis plaguing
and friends were doing it tough. fortunate with how flexible they
Although I was surrounded by the our state,
are, allowing me to manage the
poverty that I now seek to tackle, it other aspects of life. The same • Working with Indigenous
all seemed normal to me then. goes for my previous employer, Australians to remove bias
My faith journey and my Vinnies Shoal Group. Companies like in our services,
journey are intrinsically linked. this not only allow volunteers
• Further developing a thriving
like me to feel fulfilled, but
Although I was involved with the youth program that impacts all,
enable the contribution made to
Church before my first Vinnies our community. I hope that my • Working with conferences to
encounter, I became a Vincentian working situation can become implement the 50+ ideas that were
before I was baptised. The the norm, not the exception, for generated through our strategy
spirituality of the society has been corporate Australia. development sessions and,
a source of nourishment for my
journey through RCIA (Rite of My role as State President has • Exploring the Spirituality
Christian Initiation of Adults) and further shown me the complexities of Encounter with all
beyond. I would say that my faith of our world and how we aim Vinnies people.
is grounded in the radical respect to overcome trials for people. As
that Jesus had for the dignity of all a Society, we certainly have our It has been an absolute pleasure to
humans, and how he demonstrated challenges ahead. I fear that the work with our staff, members and
it through his encounters. I’m current housing crisis will get volunteers who constantly impress
worse before it gets better. me with their dedication and
excited to see this Spirituality of
Encounter being explored deeply I fear that the effects of climate commitment to the Society and our
by Vinnies SA this year, led by our change will hit the most vulnerable companions. R
Spirituality Working Group. people the hardest.
Bradley Hocking is State President, St
Alongside my Vinnies role, I’m I fear that our nation will hide Vincent de Paul Society (SA) Inc.
S T V I N C E N T D E PA U L S O C I E T Y A U S T R A L I A 5
spirituality and membership
Papal honour for
Armidale’s ‘Go-to Man’
‘Don has always acted out of faith
to bring hope through serving in
a sensitive manner those in need’
- Papal Medal Award Citation for
Don Hewitt
T he citation accompanying
the Cross Pro Ecclesia Et
Pontifice (‘for the Church
and the Pope’) awarded to Don
Hewitt for his service to the St
Vincent de Paul Society describes
the humble octogenarian as the
‘Go-to Man’ in his local area for
over fifty years.
His achievements are many and
varied, from countless home visits
to ‘the elderly, lonely, sick, broken,
poor, addicted, neglected’, through
to his key role in the founding
and running of Freeman House, Above: (l-r) Paul Burton, Armidale
the alcohol and drug rehab centre Central Council President, Don Hewitt,
Member, St Augustine’s Armidale
and shelter for the homeless, in Conference and Paul Robinson, President
Armidale, NSW. St Augustine’s Armidale Conference.
Left: The Papal Medal.
Freeman House began operating
in the 1970s and re-opened in 2015
after a major upgrade funded largely
prayer, but I’m pretty good at action’.
through Don Hewitt’s tireless efforts.
The date was 14 February 1966 –
He also did much of the planning
Decimal Currency Day.
for this state-of-the-art complex.
It is the highest award that can be
The award citation notes, ‘Don
Today, Freeman House – named awarded to the laity. The medal, cast
possesses a calm capacity to be
after Cardinal James Freeman in gold, depicts the Apostles Saint
with a person, listens carefully
– is the largest residential Peter and Saint Paul in the centre of
and maintains a humble manner
rehabilitation service in northern the Cross. The decoration’s ribbon is
which affirms others… Don is
NSW, providing long-term drug yellow and white, the colours of the
ever prepared to give to those in
and alcohol rehabilitation, Papacy.
need that rare, golden gift: his time
crisis accommodation, inpatient
The award was presented to and enduring patience. There are
treatment, aftercare support and
Don by Bishop Michael Kennedy people with addictions who have
programs to accommodate patients
at the Mass at Saints Mary and consulted Don on a regular basis
with young children.
Joseph’s Cathedral, Armidale on for years’.
Don recalls how, ‘People found the 13 June 2021. Members of his
As the Society’s Regional Council
comfort of the Society members family attended, along with many
President he obtained millions
and wanted to stay. Some of the parishioners and admirers of his
of dollars in funding to build or
best people who helped us were work over the years.
renovate 23 centres across the
the people that we’d helped’.
Don Hewitt commenced employment Armidale Diocese that continue to
The Vatican’s recognition of the man at the University of New England in provide thousands of people with
named as ‘Donaldo Arturo Hewitt’ 1957 as a laboratory technician, later household goods, food, finance,
in the handsome accompanying advancing to manager. He was also counselling services, contact and
certificate is an honour established a volunteer fireman on campus. At rehabilitation. Don continues to
by Pope Leo XIII in 1888 and given the age of 27 he joined the St Vincent provide support to people in
for distinguished service to the de Paul Society as a means of living need as a member of the local St
Church by lay people and clergy. out his faith – ‘I’m not much good at Augustine Conference.
6 THE RECORD | SPRING 2021
Membership and
Conferences
In June 2015 Don Hewitt was Membership
awarded Life Membership of the
Society and in 2017 was made There are three categories of membership of the Society.
Armidale’s senior citizen of the Conference members are those who belong to the
year for his work with Vinnies. grassroots groups within the Society known as conferences.
He continues in a mentor role, They live their Catholic faith in action through the spirit
drawing people back to the ideals, of Christian charity. Associate members are those who
regulations and spirit of the Society. are committed to the ethos, mission, aims and objects of
the Society and who assist the work of the Society, but do
Don and Barbara (nee Carey, a not attend conference meetings. Volunteer members are
Society member for many years) those who respect the ethos, mission, aims and objects
were married in 1961. They have of the Society and who volunteer in any of the Society’s
six children – who say their father works. Associate and Volunteer members are registered by
was always there for them - and six procedures established by the relevant State or Territory
grandchildren. Council. Please visit the Become a Member section of this
Paul Robinson, President of St website for more information.
Augustine’s Armidale Conference,
offered congratulations on behalf
of all Vincentians, noting that the
Cross Pro Ecclesia Et Pontifice is a
Conferences
merit award granted in recognition A conference can be established within any community such
of service to the Church and as a parish, town, suburb, school, university, workplace,
society. ethnic or social group providing they are endorsed by an
‘It is granted as a symbol of appropriate Council within the Society. Conference members
recognition to those who have meet regularly, usually weekly but at least fortnightly and no
demonstrated outstanding work of charity is foreign to them. Together they visit people
leadership in cooperating with the in their homes, in hospitals, institutions or wherever else they
efforts of the Church. It is richly may be found needing aid or comfort. Conference work is
deserved by our brother, Don not limited to home visitation; members also meet and pray
Hewitt.’ together at other times. To read more about the role of prayer
in conferences please visit Spirituality of the Society. R
‘His Lord said unto him, Well
done, good and faithful servant’ -
Matt 25:23 R
Meet the National Council
national president national treasurer sa state president
Claire Victory Paul Trezise Brad Hocking
national deputy president national secretary tas state president
Warwick Fulton Ryan Erlandsen Mark Gaetani
spiritual adviser canberra goulburn president vic state president
Sr Therese Haywood DC John Feint Kevin McMahon
vice president provisional nsw state president wa state president
Maurie Ryan Denis Walsh Gladys Demissie
vice president nt president
Read more here. R
Patrick Wallis Jocelyn Cull
vice president qld state president
Jacob Miller Dennis Innes
S T V I N C E N T D E PA U L S O C I E T Y A U S T R A L I A 7
spirituality and membership
‘Tonight is a highlight of our
50 years in Vinnies…’
At the CEO Sleepout 2021 three
long-serving Members talked about
their all-women Conference.
N otching up a combined
130 years of service to
the St Vincent de Paul
Society three Members from the
Maitland/Newcastle Diocese had
a rare, unexpected moment in
the spotlight when they were
interviewed on the state-wide
video streaming of the CEO
Sleepout 2021.
The Sleepout raised more than
$9.2 M to support Vinnies good
works in NSW.
Like all Members, they usually
work quietly but effectively behind
the scenes, and have done so for
an extraordinarily long time. They
attended the sleepout’s Newcastle
event on 17 June at the Macdonald
Jones Stadium, usually the home of
the Knights NRL club. This night it
was the venue for around 60 CEOs
and supporters who would bunk
down under cardboard to raise
funds and awareness for Vinnies
work in the field of homelessness.
started what would become an ‘They were lonely and needed
The three women shared their all-female team. someone’s support,’ she recalled.
stories on the big screen with
participants locally as well as in St Therese’s Conference is based So the newly formed team, initially
Sydney and Wollongong. They in the Newcastle suburb where it comprising five Members, stepped
work out of St Therese’s in New continues a close relationship with up to provide companionship.
Lambton, the Conference they the parish and is well supported
Asked what they personally
were instrumental in starting. Joy by St Therese’s Primary School,
get from their membership
Loas and Margaret Wheeler have which has an enthusiastic Mini
involvement, Margaret said, ‘Oh,
both been volunteering as Vinnies Vinnies group. Their community
we love it, we certainly do, forming
members for the past 50 years, with support work includes service at
great friendships along the way,
Barbara Strang, the ‘newbie’ of John Hunter Hospital as well as at
at times we have had up to 28
the team, putting in 30 years. several women’s refuges.
members… although many on the
Joy began the Conference in 1971 The trio shared their story with SVDP list in New Lambton have
with Margaret and three other CEO Sleepout MC Deb Knight passed away. Lovely friendships
ladies. She had been wanting to from Radio 2GB who asked what have developed as well as being
had inspired them to start the able to assist God’s poor, the lonely
get involved with Vinnies work
Conference. and the needy…’
but was told the only opportunity
for women was to work in the Joy said the spark was the Regarding particular moments that
shop. She wasn’t having that, loneliness being experienced by stand out from over the years, Joy
so researched the Conference four local women who had recently reminisced about ‘a family from
structure and with the blessing of been widowed, with 17 children Wee Waa (on the north-western
the parish priest and the curate between them. slopes of the New England region)
8 THE RECORD | SPRING 2021
C L A I R E V I C T O R Y | plenary council
‘I’m looking forward to this
historic Church meeting’
many years ago. They had a son BY CLAIRE VICTORY
I
who’d had a problem and the
husband had lost a leg in a tractor am sincerely hoping that the historic 5th Plenary Council
accident. in Australia will lead to greater inclusion and an urgent
recasting of church leadership and governance at every level
‘They contacted us when we were of the Church in Australia.
working at the call centre, and
asked for help, they were too The Plenary Council agenda states, ‘As children of God, disciples
embarrassed to ask the people of Jesus Christ and guided by the Holy Spirit, the Members
who were visiting them at home at of the Fifth Plenary Council of Australia are called to develop
the time. concrete proposals to create a more missionary, Christ-centred
Church in Australia at this time.’
‘They didn’t even have enough
petrol to get back to Wee Waa. This process is one opportunity for urgently needed cultural
We helped them with food, with and systemic change identified not just by the recent child
petrol, then for many years with sex abuse royal commission, but by faithful lay Catholics for
an arrangement with a pharmacy decades. As the largest lay-led catholic organisation in Australia
in Adamstown [Newcastle] we sent the St Vincent de Paul Society has a crucial role to play in the
the prescriptions through to that restoration of our church’s credibility.
young boy. ‘Our mission as a church is not to fill buildings, but to reach
‘The letters of appreciation that people where they are, not where the church wants them to be’
we received from that family have This calls for a paradigm shift – from an authoritarian,
stayed in our hearts forever.’ hierarchical, patriarchal model to a communion of communities
engaged in dialogue, discernment and decision making around
Barbara added, ‘The main thing is
both ecclesial and social concerns. To transform itself, the
the spiritual association, also the
Church must strive to be more representative of the entire
fact that we can go to people’s
community it seeks to serve.
homes and meet them there,
you get a feel of how things are The Society strongly advocates for a Church that condemns
really going for them. So instead clericalism and promotes a more transparent and accountable
of just handing out vouchers for model where hierarchical structures give way to shared
food you’re able to help more. leadership, where wisdom is sought through a process of
You can both get and give more genuine dialogue and inclusive vision.
information, for example about We don’t know if the Plenary Council process will enable the
things available in the community voice of lay people to be heard or what will come out of this
that they may not know about. historic opportunity, but we choose to remain optimistic about
‘As well as helping them it’s the potential for the genuine engagement of lay Catholics.
wonderful for ourselves… we can Do we want the smooth path to completion or are we willing to
come back to the Conference and engage in the radical and confronting work of transformation to
share with other members the make room for the new?
work we’ve been doing, so it’s very
much a joint endeavour. As Vincentians, we hope that this Plenary Council (and the
significant hard work that follows it) will lead to a Church that
‘It’s very rewarding, because we has a more deliberate, inclusive and intentional focus on its
are an emergency service, and if fundamental mission of following Christ by serving the poor.
you can help them in the first place
The National Council’s submission to the Plenary Council is
they are able to have the ‘hand up’,
available here.
which is what we’re all about.’
Assembly 1 of the 5th Plenary Council in Australia will be
Margaret finishes off by saying,
held in a multi-modal form online on 2-10 October 2021 and
‘Tonight is a highlight of our 50
Assembly 2 will be held in Sydney on 4-9 July 2022.
years in Vinnies… everyone have
a wonderful night and raise lots of
Claire Victory is the National President of the St Vincent de Paul Society
money to help the homeless and in Australia. On 9 Sept 2021 Ms Victory launched the book A Church for all:
the needy!’ R A guide to the Australian Plenary Council and Beyond.
S T V I N C E N T D E PA U L S O C I E T Y A U S T R A L I A 9
plenary council
Church at the crossroads
Mission, Inclusion and Hope for the future
Sr Mel Dwyer FdCC.
Edited version of an address given inbox at the time of its release, and figuratively, might help us to see the
on 7 July 2021 by Sr Mel Dwyer initially doing little to engage with way forward.
FdCC at ‘Mission and Church’, it as a valuable resource, both for
The report outlines, for Australia,
the first online conversation the life of the Catholic Church and
a way to discern a synodal path: a
in The Light from the Southern for my life as someone with a role
new practice of church governance.
Cross – Catalyst for Conversation to play in the Church’s narrative in
It advocates for structures that serve
series, hosted by Catholic Religious Australia at this time.
the mission of Christ, rather than the
Australia. The full video of the What I share is not the fruit of serving of human-made governance
speakers can be viewed here. a scholar nor a theologian with structures. We must never forget
T
academic credibility to support that the goal of the Church is and
he prophet Jeremiah in my views. Rather, I aim for an always will be to live and proclaim
Chapter 6 verse 16 reminds honest and sincere sharing of what the Gospel.
us: ‘This is what the Lord struck me, as a 40-year-old female
says: ‘stand at the crossroads and There are significant entry points
religious leader from Brisbane,
look; where the good way is; and for those of us who are not
when reflecting on the journey of
walk in it, and find rest for your ordained, with recommendations
striving for better governance in
souls.’ centred around imperative concepts
the Catholic Church in Australia.
including mission, inclusivity and
Perhaps now more than ever, the My hope is that in wrestling with
co-responsibility, each of which are
the questions triggered by this
Catholic Church in Australia stands vital towards the transformation so
document we might discover
at a crossroads. desperately needed.
within ourselves the truth that we
I was not one of the co-writers of so desperately need to bring to In his 2020 book Graced
the Light from the Southern Cross light, and that the Light from the Crossroads: Pathways to Deep
document, only receiving it in my Southern Cross, both literally and Change and Transformation Ted
10 THE RECORD | SPRING 2021Dunn writes: ‘Yearning for a new French Jesuit Pierre Teilhard de
way will not produce it. Only Chardin reminds us, the only task
ending the old way can do that. worthy of our efforts is to construct
You cannot hold onto the old, all the future. As we strive to create a
the while declaring that you want future that learns from the past, I
something new. There is only one said at the outset that I believe the
way to bring in the new. You must Church in Australia, and the global
make room for it’.
church, is at a crossroads.
In the light of what I would term
The truth remains, that what we
a crossroads moment for our
have known as the Church in
Church, the question remains: Are
we ready to take the kind of bold Australia will never be the same
actions necessary to bring about Promoting again. Time changes nothing if
Co-Responsible
true and lasting transformation? We Governance in
people do not change. I believe
need to decide whether we want the Catholic that the Light from the Southern
Church in
the smooth path to completion or Australia Cross document provides us with a
whether we are willing to engage great deal of hope for this moment.
in the radical and confronting work 1 MAY 2020
Helen Keller once said, ‘a bend
of transformation, that is, to make PUBLIC RELEASE 15 AUGUST 2020
in the road is the end of the road
room for the new.
unless you fail to make the turn’.
I believe there are definite seeds ‘It may become curious. It may be The Light from the Southern Cross
of hope in this document… hope less willing to ally with the empires provides us an opportunity to take
that ultimately the mission of God and powers that have long defined a long, loving look at the real. For
will find a way to take precedence it. It may finally admit how much it the bend in the road will be the
in the Church, conscious of the needs the true power and wisdom end of the road for us if we are
reminder of theologian Stephen of the Holy Spirit. That’s a church unwilling to accept the reality of
Bevans that it is not that the Church God can work with.’ our circumstances and respond
has a mission, but rather that the
mission has a Church! That’s the Church I want to belong courageously.
to. Not a perfect Church, but a
I believe that our hope for this I spent seven years of my religious
human Church. I want to be part of
moment lies with each one of us life as Principal of a girls’ boarding
a living, breathing group of people
who can, in our small sphere of school in Malawi, East Africa. Many
who listen and learn from our
influence, be the change we so nights, as I would walk home from
mistakes and grow into the future
desperately want to see in our school, I would search the African
unafraid of change and willing to
Australian church. Let us not forget, sky for the Southern Cross. It was
try something new, even if it may
the Church is neither a building my own familiar presence in a land
not work the first time.
nor a set of guidelines. We are the far from home.
Church, the body of Christ. We need to break out of the ghetto
of suffocation that fear puts us in May this document, aptly named
The full text of my address looks The Light from the Southern Cross,
at what I see as the three elements and breathe the air of the Spirit. We
need to walk in hope, throwing be a guide that illuminates the path
I find encouraging from the for each one of us on our journey
document if we strive to build open the windows and doors of our
hearts and of our Church, with the home. Our journey to being at
bridges in our Church – Mission,
expectation that the Spirit will come home with ourselves, at home with
Inclusion, and Hope.
from any direction. our vulnerabilities, and at home
As the American author Richard Rohr with our desperate need for the
OFM reminds us, ‘A church that has As we move towards the celebration mercy of God who beckons us on
been humbled by abuse, questions of the first session of the Plenary
in hope of who we are and hope of
of credibility and subsequently Council we are invited again to listen
who we are called to become with
declining numbers, may be a less to what the Spirit is saying. But this
God’s grace.
arrogant and presumptuous church. is not enough. Grounded in our
It may have fewer illusions about its deep listening to the Spirit, we also A copy of The Light from the
own power and centrality.’ need to learn how to speak. Southern Cross is available here. R
S T V I N C E N T D E PA U L S O C I E T Y A U S T R A L I A 11social justice
Church urges action for
the Earth and the poor
“I strongly encourage the faithful
to pray in these days that, as the
result of a timely ecumenical
initiative, are being celebrated as
a Season of Creation. This season
of increased prayer and effort on
behalf of our common home begins
today, September 1, the World Day
of Prayer for the Care of Creation,
and ends on October 4, the feast of
Saint Francis of Assisi.
It is an opportunity to draw closer
to our brothers and sisters of the
various Christian confessions. I
think in particular of the Orthodox
faithful, who have celebrated this
Day for thirty years.
In this ecological crisis affecting
everyone, we should also feel
close to all other men and women
of good will, called to promote
stewardship of the network of life of
which we are part.”
- Pope Francis
I n its annual statement
promoting social justice the
Australian Catholic Bishops
Conference has made an historic
commitment to work towards a
PHOTO: DAMON CARR
more sustainable Church, saying
the world is facing ‘an ecological
crisis’ and invoking Pope Francis’ Statue of St Francis of Assisi at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Melbourne.
wish for the whole Church to act
with a greater sense of urgency.
Bishop Long stressed that, and living,” the Commission said,
In Cry of the Earth, Cry of the ‘Aboriginal and Torres Strait urging families, schools, parishes,
Poor, the Social Justice Statement Islander people have been caring dioceses and organisations to join
2021-22 launched in early August, for country from time immemorial. the Bishops in signing up to the
the Bishops committed to a
The rest of us need to listen, and Laudato Si’ Action Platform.
seven-year journey towards
to learn how we can walk together
seven Laudato Si’ Goals. Bishop Long added, ‘My hope is
to care for the whole of creation –
that Cry of the Earth, Cry of the
The chair of the Bishops including one another.’
Poor will encourage ever deeper
Commission for Social Justice,
The statement explains that the and more effective Christian
Mission and Service, Bishop
Laudato Si’ Goals ‘aim to put responses to the urgent cries of
Vincent Long OFM Conv, said, ‘In
Pope Francis’ [2015] encyclical the earth and of the poor.’
Australia, passionate individuals,
into practice, making communities
religious institutes, schools and The Bishops Conference’s Office
around the world sustainable in
organisations have been working for Social Justice has been
the spirit of the integral ecology of
on ecological issues for a long renamed the Office for Justice,
Laudato Si’.’
time. I want to affirm and thank Ecology and Peace, affirming that
them all, and to urge the whole ‘We are being called to a new way ‘social justice, ecology and peace
Catholic community to join them.’ of thinking, feeling, understanding are inseparable’. R
12 THE RECORD | SPRING 2021C L A I R E V I C T O R Y | our advocacy
Australia’s face of
homelessness is changing
BY CLAIRE VICTORY
‘Homelessness is no longer that
stereotypical person sleeping rough’
– Claire Victory
I n an urgent plea during
National Homelessness Week
(1-7 August 2021), Claire
Victory, the National President of
the St Vincent de Paul Society in
Australia, called on the Federal
Government to intervene as house
prices soar, wages stagnate and the
housing affordability crisis creeps
towards middle Australia.
‘The Great Australian Dream is
fast moving beyond the reach of
minimum income earners, placing
pressure on a limited, overheated
rental market,’ Ms Victory said.
‘At least 650,000 social and
affordable homes are needed right
now, with over 116,000 people
experiencing homelessness on
any given night. The Society has
repeatedly called for the Federal
Government to establish a social
housing fund of $10 billion to
augment the efforts of the states
and territories to address the
only three were affordable for a ‘Without a significant investment,
chronic and growing shortage.
person on Jobseeker and none for supply will remain limited while
‘Homelessness is no longer that a person on Youth Allowance. And negative gearing and low interest
stereotypical person sleeping two thirds of 170,000 vulnerable rates attract investors, boosting
rough.’ private renters are currently in house prices.
Ms Victory added, ‘It’s people like rental stress with less than $250 a ‘The Commonwealth must drive
you and me, just one life event week to live on after paying rent. the implementation of a 30-year
away from a devastating change in national housing strategy.
‘Governments have left housing
circumstances – illness including to the market and the market has ‘Every day charities like St Vincent
mental ill health, relationship de Paul provide support to people
failed.
breakdown, loss of a spouse, who have nowhere to call home.
domestic violence, or the loss of ‘In the face of the economic facts, It’s easy to blame people who
a job. Older women are now the it’s difficult to understand the lack haven’t got anywhere to live,
fastest growing group of people of political will to invest urgently. but if we continue to neglect the
facing homelessness. deteriorating supply of affordable
‘High housing costs suppress
‘Older people who do not own housing, a rising tide of homeless
demand for other goods and
their own home, and women and families will be forced to seek help
services. Supported housing saves
children affected by domestic from our charities just to survive,’
$13,100 per person annually in Ms Victory said. R
violence are particularly vulnerable. reduced use of overall government
‘Of 74,000 rental listings in services, even while factoring in Claire Victory is the National President of
Anglicare’s 2021 annual survey, the cost of supports. the St Vincent de Paul Society in Australia.
S T V I N C E N T D E PA U L S O C I E T Y A U S T R A L I A 13our advocacy
PM contacted again on charity
control legislation
On 3 August 2021 Toby oConnor amongst other impacts, ‘threaten that the proposed governance
National Council CEO (third to shut down charities for very changes would have ‘dramatic
from right) joined representatives minor acts’. consequences for the charity
from other concerned charities sector’ and were not justified
At the heart of the legislation’s
and community groups at a press by evidence. It added, ‘the
intent is the government’s
conference at Parliament House government should undertake
concern about the involvement
to voice concerns about proposed genuine consultation with
of charities and not-for-profits
changes to the ACNC regulations the sector on any proposed
in publicly visible protest
that threaten to undermine governance changes in the
actions or what it might view
charities’ ability to advocate. future’.
as inappropriate advocacy
T
for certain causes. In March While thanking the Treasury
he St Vincent de Paul 2021 the Society produced ‘for reviewing submissions
Society National Council a discussion paper on the made by our organisations
has followed up on an proposed changes to the and considering our input
earlier appeal to the Prime governance standards for in amending the proposed
Minister to amend the proposed registered charities, a case regulations,’ the Society said,
Australian Charities and Not-for- outlined in a subsequent letter ‘many of our fundamental
profits Commission Amendment (6 May 2021) to the Prime concerns remain unaddressed’.
(2021 Measures No. 2) Minister as part of the Hands
‘It is our view that the
Off Our Charities Alliance.
Regulations 2021 (ACNC), which proposed regulations place
if tabled in Parliament would, There, the Society had warned an unnecessary administrative
14 THE RECORD | SPRING 2021burden on our charities and is regulated in order to maintain having discretion to de-register
contrary to the government’s the trust of the Australian the Liberal Party because a Liberal
objectives of reducing red tape,’ public’, but maintain that Party member damages someone’s
the letter said. Australian charities are already lawn when putting up a sign,’
heavily regulated – ‘as the Mr Costello said. Among others
‘The proposed regulations
current Commissioner [Dr] to have raised concerns is Father
undermine freedom of
Gary Johns has attested to in Frank Brennan AO.
expression and would be, in
Senate Estimates, there is no
our opinion, unlawful.’ As part of its effort to interdict
demonstrated need for these
the legislative changes the Society
In addition, [it] would ‘threaten new regulations’.
drafted a letter for its State and
to shut down charities for The Alliance points out that, Territory Presidents to consider
very minor acts, including ‘Sometimes, charities support sending the Government or their
inadvertently failing to have public actions to draw attention federal MPs. The document,
sufficient internal control to pressing societal issues, be warning that the changes would
procedures; undermine our it marching against the death ‘silence charities’, noted, ‘For
ability to engage in lawful of Aboriginal and Torres Strait the Society, advocacy usually
advocacy; unjustifiably broaden Islander people in custody, or involves conducting, participating,
the Australian Charities and Not- assembling to demand the end organising or supporting protest
for-profits Commission (ACNC) of gender-based violence. action, often on days of symbolic
Commissioner’s powers; and meaning, such as our Palm Sunday
be contrary to the 2018 review ‘Overwhelmingly these public
rallies for people seeking asylum.’
of the Australian Charities and actions are conducted lawfully.
Not-for-profits Commission Our ability to advocate on issues Under the proposed changes,
legislation’. we work on and understand ‘Summary offences could arise
well, including when it relates if anyone associated with the
The letter noted that, ‘the Senate to protest, is protected under Society blocks a public area, fails
Committee on the Scrutiny the [present] Act and by the to move on when asked, whether
of Delegated Legislation Australian Constitution. The intentionally or not, or tweets/posts
has written to the Assistant proposed regulations undermine support through social media in
Treasurer outlining its concerns freedom of expression and these instances.’
with the regulations’ would be, in our opinion,
On 3 August the Society’s National
In response, the Hands Off unlawful.’
Council raised the issue with
Our Charities Alliance says its The minister responsible, Government Senator, Concetta
members represent millions Assistant Treasurer Michael Fierravante-Wells, Chair of the
of Australians concerned Sukkar, reportedly said Senate Standing Committee
with a wide range of issues Australians don’t expect for the Scrutiny of Delegated
that include education, social their donations to support Legislation, questioning the
welfare, human rights, animal organisations to break the law: ‘unjustifiable broadening of the
welfare, the environment, ‘These important regulatory ACNC’s powers’ and calling the
health, climate change, disability changes will give Australians proposed regulations ‘redundant,
rights, inequality and poverty greater confidence that the unnecessarily complex’ and
and philanthropy, and that charities they support will direct likely to ‘increase burdensome
‘given the volume of minor their resources towards charitable administrative requirements despite
offences that can be unwittingly works,’ he said. the government’s objective to
committed at a protest, the reduce red tape’.
proposed governance standard Tim Costello, chair of the
Community Council for Australia, While Sen. Concetta Fierravante-
will make every appearance
said charities play a vital role in Wells replied that the Committee
at, or statement in support
holding governments to account had ‘identified significant technical
of, a protest action a risk to a
and called for the laws to be scrutiny concerns in relation to the
charity’s registration.’
abandoned: ‘Giving the charity regulations’, no other responses
The Society and other members commissioner power to shutter to the Society’s concerns have
‘share the government’s desire a charity for a minor offence been received from the prime
for a thriving charity sector, by a member is the equivalent Minister’s office or from his senior
and one that is appropriately of the electoral commissioner parliamentary colleagues. R
S T V I N C E N T D E PA U L S O C I E T Y A U S T R A L I A 15our advocacy | R O B I N O S B O R N E
NSW Auditor-General marks down
response to Homelessness Strategy
BY ROBIN OSBORNE
‘It will have a limited short-term
impact on homelessness across New
South Wales’
O fficial auditors tend
not to be popular with
the governments that
appoint them, often tendering
reports about misdirected (to
put it politely) funding or poorly
conceived programs.
The latest example of a governance
watchdog nipping its master’s
hand is the NSW Auditor-General’s
report on the state government’s
$169m Homelessness Strategy
2018-2023, half-way into its
implementation.
In her performance audit
Responses to Homelessness the
NSW Auditor-General, Margaret
Crawford has judged the Strategy
PHOTO: JEAN-LUC BENAZET ON UNSPLASH
to be under-funded, of limited
reach, likely to have only a narrow
impact on homelessness, and
unlikely ‘as a standalone response’
to assist enough people into more
permanent accommodation.
The report’s aims were to assess
how effectively the Department
of Communities and Justice is
responding to homelessness
through the Strategy, and the
effectiveness of the department’s In her bold-type conclusion the 128 local government areas,
efforts to address street Auditor-General said the Strategy supporting around 8,200 people
homelessness in its COVID-19 will have ‘a limited short-term – what equates to around 22 per
response. impact on homelessness across cent of the number of people
New South Wales… The experiencing homelessness in
Released in June 2021 it evaluated Department [Communities and New South Wales at the last
the Strategy’s 21 actions, ten of Justice]… received significantly census in 2016.’
which directly target people at less funding than it sought, and
risk of, or already experiencing, as a result, the Strategy’s actions At the time of the last census in
homelessness through measures have a narrow reach in terms of 2016 more than 37,000 people
such as screening high the locations and the number of were experiencing homeless in
school students for the risk of people targeted for assistance.’ NSW, not including the number of
homelessness and providing people at risk of homelessness.
supports; assisting vulnerable Even when – or perhaps,
people to maintain their tenancies if – fully implemented, the ‘A key gap in Strategy actions
in social housing or the private Auditor-General went on, ‘most is addressing Aboriginal
rental market; and providing Strategy actions will be available homelessness,’ the Auditor-
purpose-built social housing. in only a quarter of the state’s General noted sombrely.
16 THE RECORD | SPRING 2021“The Department…will need to do more to ensure a
sustainable longer-term response which prevents
people returning to street homelessness”
Highlighting a disconnect ‘The Department’s data Central to the report’s six
between intent and achievement, suggests that 72 per cent of the recommendations are that the
she added, ‘The Department has approximately 4,000 people Department should develop
clearly communicated its aims formerly sleeping rough who ‘a comprehensive strategy to
to intervene early to prevent left temporary accommodation address homelessness, linked
people from experiencing between April 2020 and April to the government’s ten-year
homelessness; to provide effective 2021 left with an unknown plan for social housing and
supports to people experiencing housing outcome. This includes 20-year housing strategy’, and
homelessness; and to create an people who were not eligible for ‘in partnership with Aboriginal
integrated person-centred system. social housing, were stranded stakeholders and communities,
While these objectives are clear, due to border closures, or who design and implement a
they are not being pursued disengaged from the Department strategy for early identification
state-wide.’ or funded support services. and responses to the needs of
Aboriginal people vulnerable
Further, ‘There is a risk that future ‘The Department also has limited to homelessness; and build the
funding will not be secured – and data to understand whether capacity and resourcing of the
Strategy actions not continued or the enhanced temporary Aboriginal Community Controlled
scaled up – if the evidence on accommodation program was Sector to deliver homelessness
effectiveness is incomplete, mixed more effective in helping to services’.
or unclear when the Strategy connect participants with services
A generous verdict on the
concludes. This sits against a and support them into stable
implementation of the NSW
backdrop of increasing need accommodation, than previous
Homelessness Strategy 2018-2023
for housing and homelessness approaches.’
is ‘could do better if tried harder’,
supports in the state that may
The suggestion that up to three- which is how the head of the
become more acute once the NSW Department of Communities
quarters of people who received
full economic impacts of the and Justice, Michael Coutts-Trotter
temporary funded accommodation
COVID-19 pandemic are felt.’ has responded. The Secretary’s
during the early phase of
To its credit, ‘The Department COVID-19 are back on the streets responses to the audit are
effectively planned and is disturbing. appended to the report. All the
implemented a crisis response recommendations were accepted
Continuing the ‘not nearly enough’ and agreed actions outlined.
to assist people sleeping on the
theme that runs through the report, Many of them are said to be
streets during the COVID-19
the ‘Together Home’ program, in progress already, others are
pandemic,’ however, it will
designed to provide longer-term promised to be completed within
‘need to do more to ensure a
accommodation to people who the ambit of the strategy, or in the
sustainable longer-term response
were sleeping rough during the subsequent year.
which prevents people returning
pandemic, is viewed as being
to street homelessness’. Assuming this is so, the Auditor-
unlikely to ‘meet demand as a
Along with a funding shortfall a standalone response… the total General’s efforts are well worth
lack of data appears to be another number of 800 Together Home the time and money expended,
with many of the lessons learned
problem: ‘The Department cannot places will not be sufficient to
seeming applicable well beyond
identify precisely how many provide housing for the more
NSW. R
people sleeping rough who were than 4,000 individuals who
assisted during COVID-19 have were sleeping rough prior to
Robin Osborne is National Publications
returned to rough sleeping or entering enhanced temporary Officer, St Vincent de Paul Society
other forms of homelessness. accommodation’. National Council.
S T V I N C E N T D E PA U L S O C I E T Y A U S T R A L I A 17You can also read
