St Mary’s President - Northern Territory

Graeme Finch

Welcome to the November edition.

Wow, it is almost Christmas… again….  That has come around quickly.

And that means it is time for the Christmas appeal and Christmas hampers. This year, St Mary’s conference is planning to deliver Christmas hampers in late November to the remote community of Nauiyu/Daly River and the outstations of Wooliana, Woodicupldia and Emu Point. Delivering hampers in the remote parts of the Territory requires quite a lot of planning and driving on rough roads to make the delivery. But it is worth it, bring Christmas cheer to these communities just before some are cut off by the rains for months.

We will still be bringing Christmas cheer to people living in our own Parish, so please support the Christmas Appeal. Vinnies will put up a Giving Tree in St Marys Cathedral early December, and we appreciate all donations for the poor. If you would like to volunteer to help with either the Christmas Hamper delivery to Nauiyu or within one of our Darwin Region Parishes, please do not hesitate to contact Vinnies, we are always looking for volunteers or new members, (08) 8948 8100.

While we are all eagerly waiting for the onset of the wet season, it does bring challenges for those sleeping rough. Vinnies has a strong focus of supporting those most in need, to break the cycle of disadvantage. Vinnies NT’s ‘Transition to Independence’ strategy will seek to address the cycle of disadvantage through providing a safe place to live, integrated service delivery for individuals, community (Conference) support and partnerships. If you want to be part of the solution, volunteer and help break the cycle of disadvantage in the Territory.

Stay safe in the build-up and thank you for the support.

Become a Volunteer

Make a difference to your life and to others…

Greater Darwin Region, Palmerston Region, Katherine, Tennant Creek, Alice Springs

🤝Emergency Relief Case Worker: Work with a mentor and receive training to become an Emergency Relief case worker who provides assistance to people in dire need of support at our Emergency Relief Centres. This work requires confidential information and data collation used in government reporting providing insight to the immediate needs of the poor and disadvantaged in the Territory.

-Stuart Park -Palmerston -Alice Springs             Times and Days may vary.

🍜Ozanam House Day Centre for the Homeless: Preparing nutritious meals and serving all with understanding, compassion and without judgement. Fostering relationships based on respect, trust and friendship to restore dignity through laundry services, showers and bathroom facilities and community care work.

-Stuart Park        Monday to Friday 7am – 12noon.

🏪Vinnies Retail Stores: Community donations resold in Vinnies are our most active fundraising front. Accept and sort donations, maintain stock levels and create eye catching merchandising displays. Assist customers from all walks of life with enquiries and purchases.

-Cavanagh Street -Stuart Park -Fannie Bay -Winnellie -Casuarina -Palmerston -Coolalinga -Katherine -Tennant Creek -Alice Springs        

Monday to Saturday  9am – 5pm. Times and Days may vary.

🚛Warehouse and Logistics Services: Collect, sort and deliver donations across town! Receive training to operate a forklift and drive a truck on your automatic C-Class licence and deliver donated furniture to families in need.

-Coconut Grove       Monday to Friday 8am –4pm.

⌨️Office Administration: Office Administration:

Welcome visitors at reception, answer phones, direct enquiries via email or phone, enter confidential data, organise files.

-Casuarina          Monday to Friday 9am – 4pm.

 

Required Documents:. -National Police Clearance -Working with Children Check for people 15 years and older

(Vinnies will work with you to collect these required documents).

Under 15 years are welcome, however must have a Parent or Guardian with them whilst volunteering with Vinnies.

 

GET IN TOUCH: Vinnies NT | Facebook / Darwin Office (08) 8948 8100 / volunteering@vinniesnt.org.au

Donate now

Vinnies secure donation portal:  https://donate.vinnies.org.au/christmas-appeal-nt

The cost-of-living crisis and the price tag on Territory rental properties are adding pressure to Territory households.

This Christmas, thousands of families like Kelly’s will be facing an impossible choice:

Pay their bills?

Put food on the table?

Or keep a roof over their heads?

Please give generously this Christmas to provide emergency cost-of-living relief so Aussie families aren’t forced over the edge and into homelessness.

Food

Your donation can provide basics like food and toiletries for a parents and children after they have fled from an abusive situation, so they can survive the first few days.

Help with the essentials

Your donation can help cover essentials like bills, or larger expenses, such as whitegoods and furniture, so parents can provide a safe home for their children.

Support to keep safe

Your donation can help with rental bonds or payments so that parents and children can have a place of their own to start again.

Donate now

Everyone deserves to share a meal with their loved ones at Christmas

St Vincent de Paul Society delivers Hampers to people in need across the Northern Territory!

IDEAS…

For Children (ages Zero to 16)

New Toys, Clothing, Books, Games: Dolls, baby dolls, prams, cradles, art and craft sets, board games & jigsaws, footballs, basketballs, soccer balls, tennis sets, cricket sets, jewellery, hair accessories, lego kits (for both boys & girls), toy cars, planes, trains, make up kits, books, journals, CDs, DVDs, back to School Kits (stationery), movie tickets, gift vouchers, new baby clothes.

For Families (Non-perishable, don’t melt, have a festive feel)

Tinned spam, bully beef, ham, tuna, canned fruit, vegetables, tined lentils, chickpeas, black beans, baked beans or spaghetti, pretzels, chips, nuts, dried fruit, salty plums, flavoured chickpeas, breakfast cereals, spreads, jams, honey, coffee, milo, tea, cordial, long life full cream milk, cream, custard, flour, rice, pasta, simmer sauces, shortbreads, gingerbread, candy canes, toiletry items.

GIVE YOUR GIFTS:

to Vinnies Stores & Society Parishes and patriating Schools by Monday 12th December

GET INVOLVED:

Contact Luci.Lloyd@svdpnt.org.au or damian.legg@svdpnt.org.au

CathCroc
Catholic Diocese of Darwin - supporting young people in their Faith journey.   

To further assist parents, grand parents, teachers, guardians and other carers involved in children’s faith life journey, the Catholic Diocese of Darwin has developed an animated character called CathCroc with whom children can engage and pose questions. After questions are recieved, periodically a video will be shared on the Diocesan digital channels featuring CathCroc acknowledging the question/questioner. CathCroc would then request Bishop Charles Gauci (who would also appear in the video) to share his thoughts and answer the question.

If you have any questions about the beautiful creations around us email askcathcroc@gmail.com

Reach out: to Bishop Charles Gauci and the Catholic Diocese of Darwin for more information.

http://www.darwin.catholic.org.au/ / https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQDlciT27HM

Bequest with Vinnies NT
Help those in need

Have you considered including the St Vincent de Paul Society in your Will? 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.

If you would like to consider making your community a better place through a bequest to the Society, please contact us for a fact sheet or brochure detailing the Territory’s specific requirements.

Visit Vinnies NT Wills and Bequests: https://www.vinnies.org.au/page/Donate/Wills_and_Bequests/NT/

We are overflowing with Childrens Stock!

Community donations resold in Vinnies Stores are our most active fundraising front!

Need Kids clothing?

Know someone who needs kids clothing?

Get into Vinnies in the greater Darwin Region to FILL A BAG FOR $5 (T’s &C’s apply)

Girls – Boys – Babies

Quality items in a range of sizes!

*Darwin Greater Region (to Coolalinga) Stores only*

Refuse to waste it

Reduce your impact

Reuse anything you can

Repair items and learn new skills

Renew its lease on life

Recycle for a greener future

Funds raised at Vinnies stores go back into supporting our Territory Community!

Donations stay in the NT! To DONATE NOW  Call (08) 8948 8113 or Visit https://donate.vinnies.org.au/appeals-nt/emergency-appeal-nt

Vinnies relies heavily on Government and community donations support to continue our good works.

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, An Age Pensioner $417 and Youth Allowance $265. With the average private unit rental price at $530 week, vulnerable Territorians have 0% affordability.

Donations help provide countless nights of accommodation, food and basic essentials, help with living expenses, caring and personalised support, and more! Families are suffering. We’ve seen a 13.7% increase in the number of people experiencing homelessness since 2011, that’s 1 in 17 Territorians who will sleep unsafely tonight.

With 116,000 individuals and families across Australia currently at risk of or experiencing homelessness.

Food

Your donation can provide basics like food and toiletries for a parents and children after they have fled from an abusive situation, so they can survive the first few days.

Help with the essentials

Your donation can help cover essentials like bills, or larger expenses, such as whitegoods and furniture, so parents can provide a safe home for their children.

Support to keep safe

Your donation can help with rental bonds or payments so that parents and children can have a place of their own to start again.

Nominate an extraordinary person to recognise their contribution to the St Vincent de Paul Society.

Celebrate the outstanding achievements and contributions of our members, volunteers and staff.

Vincentian cross (for members only)

Awarded to members for the highest degree of service to the Society and the people it serves having made significant contributions at a leadership level.

Associate life membership (for members only)

Membership recognition for those no longer able to be active members due to age or illness and who have completed at least 20 years of active service.

Recognition of outstanding service (for members, volunteers and staff)

Awarded to members, volunteers and staff in recognition of outstanding dedication and service which sets them apart from their peers.

Values awards (for volunteers and staff)

There are three categories for nomination: Values -Team achievement - Innovation

Length of service

(for members, volunteers and staff)

A badge and certificate to recognise years served by members, volunteers and staff are available in 5 year increments.

Send Nominations to: admin@svdpnt.org.au | Territory President, St Vincent de Paul Society, PO Box 40345, Casuarina NT 0810

*Please see attached PDF for more information and to nominate. Awards will be presented at the 2022 Christmas Party.

Save this date

All Vinnies Conference Members

St Vincent de Paul Society Annual General Meeting

DATE Thursday 10th November 2022

TIME 5:30pm

FEATURING Tea, Coffee, Juice and Light Refreshments.

The agenda will be emailed out to members in early October.

Thank you to all our Members who dedicate their time to the Society’s good works, without you we could not reach those in need.

Bless you.

Save this date

All Vinnies Members, Volunteers and Staff

St Vincent de Paul Society Christmas Celebration will take place at Silks.   

DATE Saturday 3^rd December 2022

TIME 5:30pm

FEATURING Delicious Dinner and Non-Alcoholic Beverages

RSVP’s Will be taken in early November

Thank you to all our Members, Volunteers and Staff – Let’s celebrate this Christmas!