St Vincent de Paul Society Annual Report 2021-2022

We are confronted with the increases in cost of filling up your car with petrol, paying electricity and other utility bills, purchasing food in the supermarket and navigating other daily living expenses.

A significant challenge is the extreme shortage of social and affordable housing options. Put simply, there is a real difficulty in finding somewhere to live, with rents increasing and extra competition for what little is available.

These pressures are contributing to record levels of homelessness. Hundreds of thousands of people across Australia are experiencing homelessness, are on long waitlists for public housing or living in severe housing and financial stress. On any given night across Australia, more than 116,000 people are homeless. Every day, our members, volunteers and employees see the human face of the homelessness statistics.

According to the OECD, the Northern Territory accounts for over 5.6 per cent of Australia’s total homeless population. With a population of 250,000 people, there is an estimated homeless population of 13,727 people which is twelve times the per capita national average.

To help address these issues, the Society has been reviewing its service offerings across the housing, social services and community support sphere. The result has been the formulation of an all-encompassing Transition to Independence Strategy (TIS) which addresses individual, cultural and family needs with accommodation and wrap around services addressing individual circumstances, which together with support from conferences, will help address the issues at the heart of the cycle of disadvantage.

Who We Are - St Vincent de Paul Society Northern Territory

We are principally a volunteer-based organisation with 52 members, 594 registered volunteers and 34 employees delivering emergency relief and other community services across Darwin, Katherine, Tennant Creek and Alice Springs.

OUR PEOPLE

Our people are a gift of grace. 73 years on from the establishment of the first conference in Darwin, the Society continues to rise to the challenge of supporting those who are marginalized and disadvantaged.

OUR MEMBERS

At the core of our Society are our members known as Vincentians. They live out their faith and volunteer their time by joining together in a conference. Conferences may be established within a parish, town, suburb, school, workplace or social group. They provide expertise to the Society and support the delivery of good works. Today, in the Northern Territory we have four St Vincent de Paul Society Conferences:

• Holy Family Conference Karama

• Holy Spirit Conference Casuarina

• St Mary’s Conference Darwin

• St Paul’s Conference Nightcliff

Ask a member why they give of their time and their first response will likely be “it is the work of Jesus Christ and that is what we are here to do.”

OUR VOLUNTEERS

St Vincent de Paul Society is blessed with devoted volunteers.

The important work of volunteers means that the Society can use its resources directly to serve the poor.

Our conferences walk in the path of Jesus and work tirelessly throughout the year, devoting their hearts and hands to easing the burdens of the poor and disadvantaged.

While the faith of our members brings love, strength and hope to our communities, the challenges are ever present. A society with less compassion for the poor has placed increasing demand on our existing resources and membership, but conference members and volunteers remain steadfast in continuing their good works.

All our Society Conferences are taking steps to develop their membership and attract new members to continue strengthening their work and contribution. However, while some things change, others remain the same. Our conferences remain in touch with the needs of the communities they serve, undertaking Society services; visiting homes, hospitals and prisons, distributing Christmas hampers to families, organizing fundraising events and running programs and activities for our companions.

The Society continually supports the formation and training of its members to deepen their spirituality and knowledge of the Society. By honing and exercising their skills, members improve their sensitivity, quality and efficiency of service, helping companions be informed of benefits, resources and opportunities that are available for people in need.

Program Services have strived to provide services to companions this financial year where the challenges of cost of living, disharmony in communities and a lack of affordable social housing has been apparent.

Program Services incorporates Homelessness Support Services, Community Housing, Aged Care and Emergency Relief Services.

Ozanam House provides a vital service to homeless companions in the Greater Darwin region. Ozanam House provides companion the dignity of a daily shower, clean clothes, hot meals and companionship. Services are delivered through the coordination of members, volunteers and staff. Visiting specialist services ensure companions have access to primary health, legal, and advocacy services. Emergency relief services are available onsite to companions. Throughout the financial year the Society hosted COVID 19 and flu vaccination clinics. These clinics provide access to basic primary health care to lessen the risk of serious infection or other complications.

Since the lessening of COVID19 restrictions the population of the Greater Darwin area notably increased. This increase in population created pressure on a housing market that was already failing in its capacity to meet demand. The cost of private rentals rose considerably forcing many to seek other forms of accommodation. The Community Housing division responded to an increased number of companions seeking affordable housing across all of our offerings.

Our Caseworkers support Companions to transition from our transitional and short-medium term accommodation to longer term options. Some of our longer-term Companions relocated to long term Territory Housing properties throughout the year. Vacancies created by Companions moving on to other housing options are quickly replaced, with the Housing Team maintaining a waitlist of companions seeking accommodation.

HOLY FAMILY CONFERENCE

• The conference has continued to support Emergency Relief on Tuesdays at Palmerston and Wednesdays at Stuart Park.

• We have had several “Food for Thought” social gatherings with conference members past and present, and one at Silks with other conferences.

• The piety stall continues to offer religious goods to parishioners at very reasonable prices. The proceeds have enabled the conference to assist students in other countries through the SVDP’s “Assist A Student” program.

• The conference has continued to assist and support companions through home visitations and phone calls, providing furniture, white goods, and practical aid.

• Welfare calls have been made to past companions to see how they are faring after being given assistance from the conference.

• The warehouse has benefited from the diligent and persistent efforts of one conference member, who travels most days to sort donations.

• Barbeques have been organised by Holy Family and Holy Spirit Conferences who meet and chat with the residents at the Society’s residence at Park Lodge.

HOLY SPIRIT CONFERENCE

• Our conference, together with Holy Family Conference hosted a very successful SVDP NT Festival Mass on the 27th of September 2021 which included the induction of ten new members.

• We received very generous donations from parishioners and school families for the 2021 Christmas Hampers. Members and 1 volunteer delivered 67 hampers and 40 toy bags in our area.

• Conference members have maintained contact with previous companions and new referrals from Emergency Relief, referrals from our priests and self-referrals from two parishioners. As well as friendship and emotional support we were able to provide necessities such as help with household goods, urgent motor vehicle registrations, food and fuel vouchers, nappies, utilities bills contributions and grocery shopping for an elderly house-bound companion while daughter away. We also provided travel assistance for a companion and her children needing to attend a culturally significant funeral. We conducted Covid food hamper drops to isolating families.

• We continue to assist the priests at Holy Spirit and St Martin’s with ‘Essentials’ food vouchers and emergency relief information for the needy.

• Lack of availability of affordable housing, both short term and long term, locally and nationally remains a concern to members.

• Our bread runs continue weekly, with bread donated by Brumby’s at Northlakes Shopping Centre. Members and volunteers deliver to two women’s shelters, St Martin De Pores Church community, St John’s College and Ozanam House.

• We are involved at Holy Spirit School’s Mini Vinnies. We presented our ‘Making Jesus Real’ award to a student and have arranged to attend some of their meetings and assist with fundraising (bottle collections) to show our support.

• Members have attended SVDPNT events such as a Strategic Direction session, a retreat and the SVDPNT Future Accommodation Facilities consultation workshop

• Our conference has supported Holy Family and St Paul’s Conferences with the BBQ events in support of companions at Ted Collins Village and Park Lodge.

ST PAUL’S CONFERENCE

• Mr Bill Burford was made an Associate Life member of the Society at the 2021 Christmas function.

• A Conference member and Assoicate member were inducted into the Society at the Festival Mass in September 2021. A Conference member and Volunteer member resigned, both relocated to Brisbane.

• St Paul’s Conference met weekly during the year, with some meetings cancelled due to Covid, and we were well supported by the St Paul’s Catholic Parish and St Paul’s Catholic Primary School.

• Two members attended Mental Health training held in September.

• Members participated in discussion and consultation about the Society’s strategic plans for housing.

• During the Dry season and despite some cancellations due to Covid, the conference hosted monthly BBQs for Companions in Society accommodation.

• The Conference is trialling a means to transition the role of conference president to make the duties manageable.

• Conference members met in February for our annual planning day to set St Paul’s priorities for the year.

• About 52 deliveries of bread , donated by Brumbies Northlakes, were made to St Paul’s Catholic Primary School and during school holidays, to the Gwalwa Daraniki Association Inc.

• Two of our members volunteered in St Vincent de Paul’s Emergency Relief team during the period and one of those same members volunteered in a number of Vinnies stores each week.

• Visitation and requests for support, which was again down on previous years, remained a core work of the Conference. Covid did impact on visitation requiring some changes to procedures and for the two members who visited Pearl Retirement Village, visits could not proceed at times.

VOLUNTEERS, MEMBERS AND SUPPORTERS

Without the time and energy of dedicated Volunteers and Members to help the operation of our Programs, the Society could not reach those in need. The gift of service in any area of the Society is welcomed and deeply appreciated.

OUR LOYAL DONORS

We are indebted to the generous financial assistance provided by our loyal donors. This support assists the many activities undertaken by the Society and can be directed to a specific appeals or general donations to our good works. St Vincent de Paul Society NT is registered by the ATO as a “Deductible Gift Recipient” charity organization, meaning any donation over $2 is TAX deductible.

WORKPLACE GIVING

Contributions can be automated through workplace giving, a joint relationship between employers, employees & St Vincent de Paul Society. Employees connect with their payroll team and donate on a regular basis a small portion of pre-tax salary to support our good works.

GIFTS OR BEQUESTS IN WILLS

A bequest to the Society makes lasting positive change. It is a powerful reflection of the values and principles you treasure. It enables you to create a legacy of love and care for those who most need assistance and it will continue your life’s aims beyond your own lifetime.

Shelter, or a place to call home, is a fundamental human need, and yet so many in our community continue to experience homelessness or live with the constant anxiety of being at risk of homelessness. The issues that lead to homelessness are complex. Relationship breakdown, loss of employment, drugs and alcohol, domestic violence, and multifaceted mental and physical disability can all result in a moment of crisis and sometimes a lifetime of hardship. Everyday our compassionate conference members, volunteers and staff connect with our companions, meet these challenges and build hope for the future.

A PLACE OF DIGNITY AND RESPECT

Well known locally, Ozanam house is the largest Day Centre in Darwin and a lifeline to the poor. It is a place without judgment, offering hot showers, a good meal, and a laundry service, restoring dignity to Territorians who are living rough. Our Companions have access to support services to address their needs through case management, referrals to mental health, accommodation, drug and alcohol rehabilitation, financial counselling, and similar support services. We are grateful to local organizations like Darwin Community Legal Services, Orange Sky laundry service and Casuarina Community Health Clinic who visit Ozanam House weekly. Charles Darwin University students participating in the internship program can have up to 400 hours of volunteer work to complete their Community Support or Social Work degrees. This year, seven students contributed to Ozanam House bringing their new ideas and theoretical knowledge, as we provided ‘real life’ experience.

During COVID-19 restrictions, the Ozanam House service delivery model was altered to accommodate the necessary requirements to protect both companions and our committed conference members, volunteers, and employees. Extra hand sanitation points, social distancing measures and ‘The Territory Check In’ were compulsory. Our services have been non-stop, however our companion access was restricted to allow only 80 people per day on site, as the Territroy has moved into the new normal, we have been able to increase these numbers.

The 2021 Christmas Party was hosted on Friday 24th of December, and was a joyous occasion for all. The Society was awestruck with community support and is ever grateful to the yearly supporters who contribute to the event. Simon George and Sons, a local grocer provided delicious salads and a generous selection of soft fruit that are preferable to those with teeth issues and often craved by the poor as a luxury. A local family business Rachael Designa Cakes contributed beautifully decorated hand-made Christmas theme cakes that were well received by Companions and Volunteers. Nightcliff Woolworths donated soft drinks and juice, Christmas theme plates, napkins and bon bons, a timeless tradition that made the occasion very festive with people sharing a laugh over the ‘pop’ of a Christmas cracker. Other special mentions and thanks go to our generous Volunteers, Foodies Book Club, Double Tree by Hilton and The Christmas Band without whom, our celebration for the homeless would not have been possible. The Society is proud of our good works at Ozanam House Day Centre for the homeless. Operating since 1974, it’s a safe place and a compassionate community embracing all who visit.

Housing is a human right and having safe homes provides our companions with a sense of self and somewhere to belong. This is transformative, reinstating a sense of purpose many people take for granted and is crucial in overcoming the cycle of homelessness. In line with St Vincent de Paul’s Strategic Plan we continued to focus on improving our service delivery.

GOVERNMENT FUNDED PATHWAYS TO PERMANENT HOUSING

In Stuart Park, Park Lodge provides 20 tenancies for single men offering medium term or transitional Community Housing. To be eligible for this accommodation, Companions must be on the Territory Housing priority list. With individual bedrooms and communal living areas, our Companions gain experience in sustaining a tenancy while they work to secure permanent housing.

In Katherine, The Bernhard Centre unit complex is equipped with one and two bedroom apartments. The Bernard Centre provides 39 tenancies for singles, couples and families. Case Worker engagement with Companions and building local police support is helping to create a safer and more resilient community at the property. There is now a marked decrease in anti-social behaviour and the Companions are developing increasing respect and support for each other. Neighbouring businesses are reporting increased patronage as a result of the improvements.

Our Vinnies Retail Stores are our Centres of Charity. They are a vibrant and visible presence in the Northern Territory with ten stores and a warehouse across Darwin, Katherine, Tenant Creek and Alice Springs. For a Companion, Vinnies can be a place to meet a need, whether for clothing, household items and connection, or on a more serious note, to reach out for emergency relief. To the community, they are a treasure trove of amazing bargains, vintage wear, a special costume or sometimes a designer label. To our operations, Vinnies sales underpin our capacity to deliver services, with the annual turnover just shy of 2.5 million dollars this year.

WORKING TOGETHER

Behind the scenes our stores collaborate to respond to the different needs of each community. By identifying Vinnies Stores that have greater demand for a particular type of stock, the teams can distribute our stock accordingly to meet the greatest need and sale potential. In Vinnies Darwin City, party clothes are in high demand, while our store at Winnellie stocks practical working clothes and boots for the workers in the industrial estate and in rural Coolalinga there is great demand for dvd’s and video games due to poor tv reception. Our most isolated stores in Katherine, Tennant Creek and Alice Spring find that many of their customers are looking for clothes that are suitable for Community life and the colder nights of the region. Managers and Volunteers stock a variety of donated goods in our Vinnies Retail Stores and we are conscious of double handling to avoid additional operational costs.

The Northern Territory has 12 x the national average of homelessness and the Vinnies CEO Sleepout is St Vincent de Paul Society’s annual flagship event to raise awareness and funds for people in need. The Sleepout is an experience that exposes participants to the everyday reality of people living rough and the issues facing the poor and disadvantaged. After a two-year break from the event due to Covid, Vinnies NT is proud to announce that in 2022, the top end raised over $59,000! These funds stay in the NT and ensure the Society can provide support for Territory individuals and families.

The cost-of-living crisis and the price tag on Territory rental properties are adding pressure to Territory households. Current approximate government weekly support payments for a person on: Job Seeker is $321, the Disability Support Pension $493, Age Pension $417 and Youth Allowance $265. With the average private unit rental price at $530 week, these vulnerable Territorians have 0% affordability.

Reflection From NT Vinnies Companion

"I applied to be accepted here in Bakhita after living on the street in Darwin for approximately 4 months. I was no longer able to stay in a city hotel due to the ending of the travel restrictions which in turn the hotel wanted to increase my room rate from $470/week to over $750. As I am on a disability pension from Centrelink that was just an impossible task."

The Society is grateful to the participants, sponsors and supporters of the 2022 CEO Sleepout. We had 27 CEOs, executive managers, business directors and owners, as well as community and government leaders join the fundraising journey. Due to Covid 19 isolation measures, we had 24 participate in the overnight sleepout experience. Eight Society Companions and three Society Emergency Relief Volunteers came and shared their thoughts and experiences with participants and four of our homeless Companions stayed the night with our fundraisers. Thanks to our Volunteers and Staff we hosted a range of interactive activities and heard stories of hardship and hope that spoke to the resilient nature of Territorians and how Vinnies advocates for our community.

On the night, participants were welcomed onto Larrakia Country at the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory’s, Fannie Bay Gaol. The Curator of Territory History took us on a guided tour of the iconic location, which was thoroughly enjoyed by all. The evening was filled with insightful stories from our Companions and Volunteers. One activity explored some of the challenges that lead to homelessness, devising solutions and viability measures such as: creating flexible work environments, such as working from home and encouraging employee volunteer engagement opportunities to help foster connections in our community. The Darwin Trailer Boat Club facilitated a soup kitchen. An immersion activity explored struggle and privilege. Finally, our auction raised an extra $3,500 on the night from participants and sponsors!

Special mention to our Highest Team Fundraisers, Roland Houareau and Dave Dann from INPEX.
Special mention to our Highest Individual Fundraiser, Shambhu Kadel from KBA Global.

Pre-registrations are open for the 2023 CEO Sleepout, visit ceosleepout.org.au to sign up and start raising funds for our Territory Community. Join Vinnies NT for a night of sleeping rough, experience the concrete and cardboard and to raise awareness and funds for people in need. Be a part of the solution. Advocate for the Northern Territory.

27.

The full name of the Northern Territory Society is “St Vincent de Paul Society (NT) Inc”. Our Australian Business Number (ABN) is 11 300 386 527 and we are incorporated under the NT Associations Act 2015. The Society is registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for- Profits Commission (ACNC) and holds the appropriate Deductible Gift Recipient endorsement. As a Public Benevolent Institution, we are endorsed to access the following charity tax concessions:

• Income tax exemption from 1 July 2000 under Subdivision 50-B of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997

• GST Concessions from 1 July 2005 under Division 176 of A New Tax System (Goods and Services Tax) Act 1999

• FBT Exemption from 1 July 2005 under section 123C of the Fringe Benefits Tax Assessment Act 1986.

Our insurance is held through Catholic Church Insurance and AON.

SOCIETY MEMBERSHIP

The Society has three categories of membership, Conference Members, Associate Members and Volunteer Members. There are established procedures for registration as a member, and any person registered as a Conference or Associate Member has voting rights in relation to the Society.

OUR CONFERENCES

Our four Territory Conferences report quarterly to the Territory Council and meet on a regular basis. All bank accounts relating to the Conferences are managed by their respective Treasurer and report to Council.

CHANGING FACES

We said goodbye to Justin Dezylva who moved to QLD and Ruth Gill accepted the Secretary role for the Northern Territory St Vincent de Paul Society Council.

CHILD PROTECTION POLICY AND OCHRE CARD

The Society is committed to the safety and wellbeing of children. All staff, volunteers, and members of the Society complete a current ‘Working with Children’ check through SafeNT.

WORK, HEALTH AND SAFETY VISION

The Society is committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of its employees, volunteers, and the community by increasing awareness of workplace safety; providing a safe place and safe systems of work and eliminating or reducing hazards that could result in injury or ill health.

NOTIFIABLE INCIDENTS

There were no notifiable incidents to NT WorkSafe during the 2021-2022 financial year.

Society Committees

Finance Committee -

Reviews monthly financial reports, budget and end of year statements. Reviews policies and procedures relating to finance. Provides advice on financial implications of any significant decisions or investments. Issues are reported to the Territory Council.

Membership Committee - 

Supports implementation of 2019-2022 Strategic plan. Committee is at initial stages of development.

Governance Committee - 

Supports the Council in review of policy and recommends to Council training opportunities to improve knowledge as well as understanding of governance.

Housing Advisory Committee - 

Provides advisory skill base to give Council recommendations on any housing issues and strategies.

Social Justice Committee - 

Provides advisory skill base to give Council recommendations on any Social Justice issues and strategies.

Council Member        Meetings entitled to attend  Meetings attended

Jocelyn Cull                    4                                              4 

Kathryn Pettersen          4                                             3

Justin Dezylva                3                                             2

Ruth Gill                          1                                             1

Emil John                        4                                             3 

Fr Adam Crouch             4                                             2

Damian Legg                   4                                             3

Kay Fitzpatrick                4                                             3

Frances Abbott               4                                              4

Graeme Finch                  4                                             4

Earlier this year I met a companion who was interested in getting a job. Through our conference emergency relief service, we secured him a position with his skills to start the next day. As the companion had not been employed for some time, he had no work clothes, socks, boots or safety gear and thanks to our Vinnies stores we were able to provide these items. It's very rewarding to help others through St Vincent de Paul Society programs, providing a wraparound service for companions is an immediate hand up and its wonderful to see the impact one afternoon can have.

29.

SVDP NT has continued on a solid and sustainable financial trend over the last few years, delivering a targeted and robust financial performance, supporting our core vision of offering a hand up for people in need.

There is always a balancing act between ensuring that the resources available to the society are utilised most effectively in line with our vision and mission, to ensuring that we provide a stable, sustainable, financial base to keep delivering on our mission for the future.

I believe that the society under the stewardship of Jocelyn , Rob and his team have been able to strike the right balance, as evidenced in the results presented today.

It is with great pleasure that I can advise that the operations of the society focusing on our core community services areas of homelessness , help for people in crisis, community care and affordable retail stores, have all seen a strong year resulting in an operational surplus of $627,204.00 for the past year.

The last year has been a continued test to the resilience of the organization with the ever shifting winds in the retail environment, and the yet lingering effects of the COVID pandemic as “the new normal” still impacting operations.

While the operational surplus may seem lower than the amount declared last year $1,339,103, we have managed to provide a large portion of funds $355,088 for some historic costs that we anticipate to provide for over the next couple of years. This has provided us with a modicum of stability and flexibility in our budgets and plans moving forward.