A NEWSLETTER FOR SUPPORTERS OF THE ST VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY IN VICTORIA MARCH 2008MARCH 2008VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY IN VICTORIA

SocietyThank you for the generous support which we received for the Christmas and Disaster Appeals. As a result of support received for our Christmas appeal, one family of fi ve boys aged 6–15 years were thrilled to receive a much-prized Nintendo WII. Mum wasn’t left out, enjoying a Myer gift card to spend on herself.

Despite unprecedented demand for assistance due to rising interest rates, food and petrol prices, fl oods as well as the devastating effects of the worst drought in 100 years, the public response to the Christmas and Disaster Appeals was overwhelming, with over $500,000 raised to help support the work of our members and volunteers across Victoria. A large amount of material goods was donated and used to assist families in need. As a result, we were able to donate over 500

gifts to families for Christmas. The after-effects of the drought and

fl oods are still causing hardship in some

areas and the needs are on-going. Our members continue to offer assistance and further support is always welcome. ■

Generosity brings joy and relief

A tragic house fi re in Sunbury three days before Christmas had a catastrophic affect on the Murphy family. This fi re that ripped through the house in the early hours of Saturday 22 December resulted in the loss of two children, aged 2 and 5. A third child, aged three, received burns and was rushed to the Royal Children’s Hospital. A fourth child, aged seven, was unharmed in the fi re.

The Murphy family also lost all of their possessions, including the family car which was parked adjacent to the house. The family was faced with the daunting prospect of coping with loss and grief for the two children, but also having to rebuild their shattered lives.

The St Vincent de Paul Society

launched a public appeal hours after the fi re to help the Murphy family and, with the support of the Australian media, received an amazing response from the general public. A spontaneous outpouring of thousands of messages of support and cash donations were received by the Society

on behalf of the family. This tragic event touched the hearts of Australians who donated cash, toys for the surviving children, furniture, household items and vouchers.

The Shane Warne Foundation donated $25,000 and McDonalds Restaurants provided a further $25,000. The Australian Lions Club Foundation also responded with a $5,000 gift. Other donors who kindly provided help for the

family included many Sunbury based businesses that collected public funds or provided in-kind support. All funds raised through this appeal have been placed in a trust fund for the family.

The St Vincent de Paul Society is now supporting the family to rebuild their lives and, on behalf of the family, would like to thank all of the donors, many anonymous, who gave so generously to this appeal. ■

Murphy Family Appeal

It is only with the support of our generous donors that we are able to offer assistance to those in need. It is with sincere thanks that we acknowledge the support you have given to us in our endeavours to alleviate suffering. ■

With thanks

St Vincent de Paul coordinator Liz Taylor and volunteers Nina Seau and Judy Stahl sort through Christmas Appeal gifts.

“I hope this small donation can assist you in some way. I’m so sorry that this has happened to you and your family. You and

your family are in our thoughts.”

Anonymous Donor

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President’s MessagePresident’s Message

SocietyDear friends of the SocietyIt is with pleasure that I extend a welcome to you in this issue of Society.

Last week I was in Perth at the opening of the Society’s new Vincentcare Village. The complex comprises 28 individual living units for people who have a mental illness but who can live independently with limited supervision. The Society in Victoria has land available for similar purposes (on a smaller scale at present), but we are being held up by onerous and unreasonable requirements of the State Government.

For some years the Society has supported a “Friday Night School” at Collingwood. This work was founded by Margaret Gurry, who continues to be the driving force behind the school. Every Friday evening more than 200 children of school age from surrounding areas come together for tuition in english or other subjects. The tutors are drawn from senior

students at a number of secondary schools in Melbourne who give tuition on a one-to-one basis. This year we are opening two more “schools’ – one at Dandenong and another at Wendouree.

The Society is committed to developing programs of this type because it is convinced that education is a key step in overcoming economic and social disadvantage. Already results from Margaret Gurry’s school are demonstrating the truth of this conviction.

Thank you for all your support of the Society.

With best wishes

Jim GrealishState President ■

Victorian State President Jim Grealish.

The St Vincent de Paul Society has long been aware of the link between education and the ability to escape the cycle of poverty that can trap those in need. An independent report commissioned by People First Total Solutions last year identifi ed Dandenong as a priority area for the education of children, with a high amount of these families facing economic pressures and the challenges associated with being non-english speaking.

In response to this need the St Vincent de Paul Society recently set up the Dandenong Tutoring Program in partnership with Centacare. Focusing on providing a positive learning environment, this program uses one-to-one tutoring to enable children to hone their mathematics and english skills,

while developing their self-confi dence. Students’ progress is tracked using pre and post tests to guide the program

coordinators in planning and learning strategy. We look forward to a great future for this valuable program. ■

SVDP addresses education needs in Dandenong

SocietyThe new St Vincent de Paul aged care facility being built in Hamlyn Heights, Geelong, has had its’ name approved by the St Vincent de Paul State Council and Board, and will be known as “Vincentian Village”. Named after the Patron Saint of Christian charity St Vincent de Paul, Vincentian Village promises to be a welcome home to the 91 residents moving from Rosalie and Vincentian Houses in Geelong.

Construction on Vincentian Village is proceeding well and is 96 per cent complete. The installation of the

kitchen and the fi t-out of the buildings are currently being undertaken. Remaining works to be completed include the landscaping and fi t-out of the administration wing. The rooms are proving to be well lit and ventilated and the social areas spacious and homely.

Unfortunately a delay has been experienced due to the carpet supplied not being to specifi cation. The carpet is a major component of the building, covering 3,050 m² – or over three quarters of an acre. The carpet is required to have a non-porous backing, but once laid it

was found to be defective and had to be uplifted. Despite best attempts to correct the problem, the supplier has had to withdraw the carpet from the market for both this project and another with one of Melbourne’s major hospitals. The carpet has been re-ordered from an overseas manufacturer. In the meantime, furniture, fi ttings, equipment and soft furnishings are in storage and are ready for immediate installation once the new carpet has been laid.

Residents from Rosalie House and Vincentian House are looking forward to enjoying their new Village and gardens. “The garden will be a sanctuary for residents, and has been specifi cally designed to engage the residents in a meaningful way”, stated General Manager Aged Care Services at St Vincent de Paul, Ms Claire Schmierer.

Ms Schmierer is enthusiastic about the project, indicating that “Vincentian Village will offer residents a state-of-the-art facility, with an innovative model of care, the Chronic Diseases Self-Management model, which promises to enhance the lives of our residents”.

We are excited to open the innovative Vincentian Village mid-2008, both as a new home to our 91 residents and as a global showcase of environmentally sustainable design and a progressive aged care model of management. ■

Aged care facility has its name approved

Forever Friends – Leaving a life-changing legacyThe work that the St Vincent de Paul Society does is invaluable to the lives of many, helping to change lives, sometimes in the most profound ways. These works can include meeting people’s immediate needs in terms of food, shelter or household goods, or longer term needs where people are helped to take back control of their lives.

Members of the Forever Friends bequestors’ group have made the decision to continue supporting our life-changing work by including a gift to the St Vincent de Paul Society in their Will. This

opportunity allows bequestors to leave a legacy to those in need, enabling the Society to continue our good work in their memory. The Society greatly appreciates the opportunity to thank bequestors in person and it has been a pleasure to welcome Forever Friends to special events which provide the opportunity to learn more about the work of the Society and meet with staff and volunteers.

If you would like to join Forever Friends, please phone our Bequest Co-ordinator, Sue Pitt, on 9895 5821, or email her at suep@svdp-vic.org.au ■

Change a life through a gift in your will.

Bequest information call 03 9895 5800

Society

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 funds from sales are used to help fund the work of the Society. There are currently 98 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/vic or call 131812

Working towards independenceOzanam Enterprises is an exciting service of St Vincent de Paul Aged Care & Community Services, providing employment and training opportunities for people with a disability living in the Mornington Peninsula region. In existence for over 30 years, Ozanam Enterprises offers training and employment for 60 people and has a total workforce of 90 people.

Max is one such employee. Having signifi cant hearing loss and a mild intellectual disability, Max would have little hope for employment outside of this service. However, Ozanam Enterprises is delighted to have employed Max for over 20 years as a valued and trusted

worker. In turn, this work and the Linked Hands program have enabled Max to gain the skills and confi dence to move into independent accommodation and take charge of his life. Max is just one of the successes of this valuable project.

With a long-standing reputation for providing top-class packaging and assembly services to the business and community sector, Ozanam Enterprises has limited facilities which curtail the scope of the project. The facility requires a dedicated training room to accommodate the growth and scope of the project. At present all vocational skill training, such as production, assembly and packaging, fi rst aid training and all employee

assessments are carried out either in the canteen or in the manager’s offi ce.

We are seeking a grant of $60,000 to provide a fully accessible self-contained building on the existing site, together with the necessary fi t-out of tables, benches and sinks. This would be a signifi cant advance for an enterprise that has made enormous progress in 30 years and continues to be one of the happiest workplaces on the Mornington Peninsula.

To register your interest in supporting this program or to organise a tour of Ozanam Enterprises, please contact Carol Taylor, General Manager, Fundraising, Marketing & Development on 03 9895 5819. ■

Ozanam Enterprises, supplying supported employment opportunities.