Who we are

Frederic and his colleagues took up that challenge by providing practical assistance to people who were struggling and, as a result, the St Vincent de Paul Society was born on 23 April 1833.

Frederic's vision became a worldwide movement and, 21 years later on 5 March 1854, the St Vincent de Paul Society was established in Melbourne, Australia, by Fr Gerald Ward who, like Frederic, also witnessed a changing community following the discovery of gold in central Victoria.

Today, through a wide network of members and volunteers the Society’s work continues to provide practical frontline support, advocacy and friendship to the most vulnerable members of our community.

For more than 169 years, the St Vincent de Paul Society has focused on serving people in need by meeting them and personally working through their issues to provide the best possible assistance.

In Victoria we have more than 10,000 members and volunteers providing assistance to people whose daily struggles can include putting food on the table, paying essential utilities and ensuring their children remain at school to obtain an education. Each person needing assistance is provided with care and compassion.

We are extremely grateful to the network of members and volunteers who are the backbone of our organisation.