‘Seeing Christ in the poor’: Vinnies marks 125 years of service in Tasmania

By Wendy Shaw

The history of the St Vincent de Paul Society in Tasmania dates back 125 years, to the establishment of the first conference in Launceston’s Church of the Apostles Parish.

It met fortnightly at St Finn Barr’s Church, Invermay, and by the end of its first year had 71 members raising funds to support the needy.

Today the lay Catholic organisation that aspires to live the gospel message by serving Christ in the poor with love, respect, justice, hope and joy, has grown to encompass 263 members and 721 volunteers across 28 parish conferences.

This legacy of service to Tasmania was celebrated with an anniversary Mass at the Church of the Apostles in Launceston on 26 September, followed by founders’ day activities at the Tailrace Centre, Riverside.

In his homily, Archbishop Julian Porteous highlighted how Vincentians’ (Society members) faith and the quality of their Christian life is transformed by their engagement in the mission of the Society.

 “In celebrating this milestone, we can return not just to the founding of the Society in Tasmania, but look back at what inspired the young university student in 19th century Paris, Frederic Ozanam, who recognised the needs of the poor in his own city,” Archbishop Julian said.

“And the inspiration for him was the highly-regarded saint of the 17th century, St Vincent de Paul, whose heart was moved to devote himself to the service of the poor. They provide the spiritual legacy of the St Vincent de Paul Society.”

The Society was in every mainland colony before the first conference (or local group) was set up in Tasmania.

According to the Society’s official history, the Launceston conference was formed in May 1899 and began active operations two months later. At first, six people were supported weekly, with funds raised through members’ personal contributions, church poor boxes, special events and donations. This rose to 30 requests for help in the first year – in an era before government benefits – covering food, wood, clothing and rent assistance.

Other conferences followed, in Hobart in 1905, and later at New Norfolk, Franklin, Cygnet, Devonport, Latrobe, Deloraine, Wynyard, Westbury, Burnie and South Launceston.

The only Tasmanian-born Prime Minister, Joseph Lyons, supported the Society, and former premier Sir Richard Cosgrove was a member.

CEO Heather Kent said that while many things had changed over the years, founder Frederic Ozanam’s commitment to Catholic social justice and teaching remained a guiding principal and ongoing source of inspiration.

“Many people know us for retail stores and our [help with] affordability to many in the community of the basics to get by,” she said.

“I am similarly attracted by our emergency relief work … to individuals facing personal crisis. Beyond providing food, it is that listening ear and sense of connection and value – the intangible things about Vinnies – that are just as relevant now as in 1883.

“Connecting with people and showing them compassion, working to support them as our companions, in a way that responds to the dignity of every human being as a valued individual: it was important then and ever more so now.”

Ms Kent also acknowledged the key role played by Vincentians.

“People talk about an organisation being member-based,” she said.

“We are member-led. They guide every element from governance, to values, to how we deliver relief. I am there to support Vincentian members in responding to human need. They are the heart and soul of our organisation.”

Mark Gaetani, of Launceston, joined the Church of the Apostles conference in 2016, because of the many practical ways it offered to live out his Catholic faith, and is now the national president.

He highlighted the growth in the number of Good Works the Society operates as a key change over the past 125 years.

“Good Works such as Bethlehem House, Tas Textiles and St Vincent Industries are all located in Hobart and Vincent Industries is located in Wynyard,” he said.

“These programs offer practical support to men, in the case of Bethlehem House, and those men and women living with some form of disability seeking and obtaining meaningful work.

“Our collaboration and partnerships with like-minded organisations offering a vast array of essential services and support to our companions would not have been possible in the early days of the Society.

“Whilst there has been significant progress, our members of 1899 and 2024 still abide by the motivation, as best described by Blessed Frederic Ozanam, ‘We must see Christ in the poor … the poor person is a unique person of God’s fashioning, with an inalienable right to respect’.”

Mr Gaetani added that one of the biggest challenges facing the Society in an increasingly secular world is ‘mission drift’ and staying true to the key values of commitment, compassion, respect, integrity, empathy, advocacy and courage.

“A commitment to Catholic social teachings in everything we do is one sure way of avoiding ‘mission drift’,” he said.

Vincentian Hetty Binns, of Launceston, joined the Our Lady of Perpetual Help Conference in 2015 and also helps with providing emergency relief – a rewarding and challenging experience. She is a former conference and northern regional president.

“I find our conference meetings to be a rewarding time of reflection, discussion and friendship between members, and I feel fortunate to be a part of such a caring group,” she said.

State president Corey McGrath, of Sprent, near Ulverstone, urged more people to get involved, by joining a conference, volunteering, through cash and food donations, or recycling high quality clothing for resale in Vinnies’ stores.

Of the 125th anniversary, he said: “All members should be proud of … contributing to something of such vital importance in some people’s lives.

“It’s great that we get to celebrate this milestone and hopefully there will be another 125 years.

“It’s a bittersweet thing to wish, because ultimately it would be nice if there was no need for the Society to exist – if everybody was well-to-do, or at least well-enough off that they didn’t require getting assistance.”