Vinnie’s first Tasmanian National President: ‘We’re a faith-based organisation’
By Catherine Sheehan
The first Tasmanian National President of the St Vincent de Paul Society (SVDP) in Australia, Mark Gaetani, said Vinnies was not “an ordinary NGO” but rather a faith-based organisation that should be unashamed of its Catholic identity.
“There’s certain elements in secular society who would like to diminish the importance of our faith,” Mr Gaetani told the Catholic Standard.
“We are a faith-based organisation, and we were founded by Frederic Ozanam, Rosalie Rendu, and St Vincent de Paul,” he said. “They were all strong members of their faith communities.”
“We’re not an ordinary NGO. We’re a faith-based organisation that clearly has the Catholic faith as our identity.”
Mr Gaetani was officially installed as the 18th National President last month in Canberra by Archbishop Christopher Prowse. He previously served as State President for SVDP Tasmania for four years.
The long-time Launceston resident said he was honoured to be the first Tasmanian National President.
“It’s a nice recognition for the work that we’ve done here in Tasmania, for a local Tasmanian to be given the responsibility and the opportunity to lead the St Vincent de Paul Society in Australia.”
Mr Gaetani grew up in George Town in northern Tasmania where his father worked as a builder. This taught him the importance of providing secure housing for people.
“I grew up with my father building houses for people, safe, secure houses. And I’ve had that real strong sense of community and sense of belonging… that inner warmth of people having their own home to live in and to enjoy, and to raise families.”
Mr Gaetani said homelessness in Tasmania was increasing. ABS figures released last month show that at the 2021 Census 2,350 Tasmanians were homeless, indicating a 44.8 percent increase over five years.
During his term as State President, SVDP Tasmania partnered with Centacare Evolve Housing and the State Government in constructing 20 social and affordable homes in Smithton.
While his background working in the financial sector will certainly aid his work as National President, Mr Gaetani said his sense of service and mission were more important.
“It’s about being truly a servant leader amongst and with other state and territory council presidents empowering our members to undertake the good works of the Society throughout Australia.”
Along with his wife Mary, Mr Gaetani is actively involved in the Launceston Catholic Parish, and his Catholic faith is vital to his work with SVDP.
Having the principles of Catholic social teaching and the example of Christ underpinning the work of the Society, sets the organisation apart from others, he said.
“We serve people in the way that Jesus Christ would serve people… his conversations and his discussions were always thinking of the poor in the time that he lived. And that’s the message I want to send to people.
“We’re not just an ordinary charity that provides assistance. We do it knowing that this is what our faith has called us to do, and that’s the Catholic faith.”