During this past year, we have watched our network of retail stores continue to reach strong sales, in part triggered by the cost-of-living pressures faced by Tasmanians. Providing a source of affordable items for many and a treasure trove of gems for others, these stores, which are fundamentally driven by a valuable network of volunteers, also support the Society as a vital fundraising avenue, enabling us to continue delivering services to those who are vulnerable across the state. With our network of stores changing to meet local demand, during the 2024-25 financial year we opened our vibrant new store in Central Burnie and are now welcoming customers into the new Margate store too. As new operators of the City of Launceston’s Kings Meadows Community and Recreation Centre, we have continued to deliver our Shower, Laundry and Breakfast service to those experiencing homelessness and/ or social isolation, while this past year has also seen commencement of a Dining with Friends program at that site too. In making this a vibrant new hub for delivery of several of our own community and youth programs, we have now also begun extending the range of community organisations working with us to deliver programs which support the South Launceston area too. As we reached the end of the financial year, demolition commenced on the former Emergency Relief/Southern Hub/retail site on Argyle Street in Hobart. In an exciting partnership between St Vincent de Paul Society Housing Australia and Homes Tasmania, fully funded by the Federal Government, we will be enhancing this well-located site with accommodation for women over 55 years of age experiencing homelessness, offering 38 studio apartments that deliver safety, dignity and privacy, together with a sense of community that’s focused on wellbeing. Connected to this, construction of our new Southern Hub in Glenorchy also progressed in earnest during the 2024-25 financial year. Providing a new home for our Southern Youth and Community team, while also bringing Member-led Emergency Relief to the northern suburbs of Hobart in a new way, this site will gather many of our Vincentian Good Works under one roof in a location
that’s closely connected to its community and to where the Society has already operated for more than 75 years through the work of Tas Textiles. The much-anticipated North West Regional Office move from its former base in Wilson Street, Burnie, to a new location at 12-14 Simpson Street, Somerset was also completed in the 2024-25 financial year and we have been deeply grateful to the dramatic increase in Vincentian Membership that is now supporting delivery of Emergency Relief from this more appropriate site. An absolute highlight of the year was the blessing of Amelie House Warwick in February when Fr Graeme Howard blessed the space in what was a powerful and emotional ceremony. This occasion marked over fifty years of Fr Graeme’s involvement with the site, after it was first opened and blessed by forward-thinking Vincentians as Bethlehem House in 1972. We were delighted to also welcome Vincentian Members Patrick Flanagan and Robert McManus who were pivotal in its establishment as accommodation for men all those years ago. In closing, we would particularly like to acknowledge our Regional Presidents, Louise Wilson (South), Rosie Caelli (North) and Karen Maynard (North West), plus those who work with them as Members, staff and volunteers in leading the community and youth service work throughout the regions. There is, indeed, much taking place within the Society in Tasmania. I’m sure you’ll agree that the future looks exciting, daunting and important all at once. But despite challenges ahead, by embracing hope, there are so many more Good Works in the future to be excited about.
COREY MCGRATH STATE PRESIDENT
HEATHER KENT CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
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ST VINCENT DE PAUL (TAS) LTD | ANNUAL IMPACT REPORT 2024-25
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