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Legislative Council - Fifty-Fifth Parliament, First Session (55-1)
2024-03-07 Daily Xml
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St Vincent de Paul Society

The Hon. R.B. MARTIN (16:27): I move:

That this council—

1. Recognises that 2024 marks the 140th year of the St Vincent de Paul Society;

2. Acknowledges the significant role that the St Vincent de Paul Society plays in assisting South Australia’s most marginalised and vulnerable people; and

3. Gives thanks to all past and present St Vincent de Paul employees, members and volunteers for their service.

This year, 2024, marks the 140th year of St Vincent de Paul in South Australia. Fondly referred to as Vinnies by most, the organisation was established in our state in 1884. Its global beginnings extend back to 1833 in Paris, when six university students met to discuss ways in which they could live their Catholic faith in their community by serving people in need. They formed the first Conference of Charity, which evolved into the Society of St Vincent de Paul. Its namesake, Vincent de Paul, is the patron saint of charitable societies.

The St Vincent de Paul Society today is a lay Catholic organisation that aspires to live their faith through service and to bring about a more just and compassionate society. Vinnies is about putting faith and belief into action, the idea being that one of the best ways to demonstrate, to honour and to live one's faith is by doing good works. Service gives meaning, authenticity and purpose to belief.

While this is a tenet that we see across the Catholic faith, I think it is quite fair to say that all people of conviction, regardless of their faith or lack thereof, can equally get behind the idea that one of the best and most honourable ways to live one's values and beliefs is by putting them into action. I imagine the universality of this principle is part of why Vinnies is recognised and respected so broadly across our state.

Vinnies in South Australia now comprises over 2,500 members and volunteers within 61 local networks. There are 34 Vinnies shops around South Australia, along with a range of important services that offer crucial support to some of our community's most marginalised people. Each year, Vinnies assists more than 100,000 South Australians. The support they provide includes material goods, food and shelter, spiritual support, relief from loneliness, and encouragement for people to help themselves.

Just some of the services that Vinnies offers are non-judgemental support for people struggling with day-to-day expenses, in the form of food parcels, grocery gift cards, clothing and other everyday necessities; referrals to relevant support services; assistance with completing forms and housing applications; assistance with bills; and resources, information and, of course, advocacy.

Vinnies also offers homelessness services. Currently, they operate two crisis accommodation centres. One, in the centre of Adelaide, caters for men aged 18 and over, and another, in the inner northern suburbs, accommodates women, children and their pets. The Men's Crisis Centre assists guests with referrals to case management services and other agencies to support them to secure long-term housing while also seeking to provide support to address other factors that may be contributing to homelessness.

The Women's Crisis Centre provides serviced rooms and meals, together with kitchen, laundry and computer facilities for guests to use. A children's playroom and landscaped gardens aim to provide a comfortable and appealing environment for women and children amid their incredibly difficult personal circumstances. Assistance with transport, childminding and other practical services is provided where possible, along with in-house access to St Vincent de Paul Society services.

Vinnies also offers a range of assistance to refugees and asylum seekers. From Vinnies House of Welcome, the Vinnies Refugee and Asylum Seeker Service supports asylum seekers and refugees in a range of ways and at various stages of their journey in South Australia. Services at the House of Welcome are provided by one paid coordinator and around 40 dedicated volunteers.

A service I have always admired is Fred's Van Meal Service. There are 10 across South Australia, located in the Adelaide CBD, Christie Downs, Elizabeth, Gawler, Kilburn, Aldinga, Port Lincoln, Port Pirie, Salisbury and Semaphore. Fred's Van provides meals, blankets, toiletries, snacks, hot beverages and, quite importantly, companionship, community and a sense that someone is looking out for you in a time of hardship and need. Sometimes, for a very complex range of reasons, that time of hardship and need can last for quite a while in some people's lives. Fred's Van is a steadfast presence for those who have need of its services, and each of those people receive the dignity, kindness and humanity they deserve.

Vinnies are also strong advocates in the public discourse for better outcomes for our community, particularly the most marginalised and vulnerable people within it. All the various ways in which Vinnies serves and advocates for marginalised South Australians are recognised and appreciated by the Malinauskas Labor government and also by me on a personal level.

I would like to recognise three people in my life who have inspired me with the work they do as Vinnies volunteers, delivering goods to people in need: Sonia Romeo, Lucas Fragnito and Peter Geytenbeek. I have been out with them, delivering Christmas hampers to those who may otherwise not have anything for the Christmas tree or table, and it was a positive and humbling experience. I also convey my particular recognition to Sister Catherine Seward of Vinnies Croydon, who organises everything meticulously and does an amazing job.

A great many South Australians recognise and respect charitable organisations that put into practice the values they espouse, and it is hard to name a better known or more reputable one than Vinnies. I commend this motion with the confidence that members will support it, reflecting our recognition of the very significant contribution that Vinnies has made to our community and our state over its 140 years of operation.

Debate adjourned on motion of Hon. D.G.E. Hood.

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