West Wollongong Conference of the
Saint Vincent dePaul Society

Our conference meets twice a month, on the first and third Wednesday, in the Parish Centre. When the Alpha program is running, we move to Thursday evenings. We meet from 7.30-9pm.

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We hold morning teas for our companions, in April (Easter), July (Winter) and in October, during Anti Poverty Week. These events allowed for social interaction between us and our companions and among themselves, over a cuppa and delicious light lunch home cooked and prepared by members.

 

At Christmas a BBQ is held with the involvement of Corrimal Rotary Club who bring their van and cook sausage sandwiches. Christmas cake, lollies and soft drink were also served and carols sung by all present. These gatherings are high points of the year.

 

Most of our time, energy and resources are spent visiting those in need and responding to their requests, relayed to us via the St Vincent de Paul Centre – Homeless Hub in Miller Street, Coniston.

 

We visit three times a week (Monday, Wednesday and Friday). 

 

We made 453 visits in 2024, delivering emergency food, giving clothing vouchers (now, Vinnies cards), paying for scripts and fulfilling furniture requests. Ryans Whitegoods give us free delivery on the reconditioned fridges we buy for those in need. We acknowledge the support of Woolworths Figtree who supplied trays of fresh fruit to supplement our food hampers, throughout the year. Access to fresh fruit is a true gift to those we assist (whom we call our ‘companions’).

 

St Therese parishioners have always supported our work. The Christmas Appeal 2023 raised $4,608 and our Winter appeal 2024 raised $3,460. We appreciate this response to our appeals and our small number of regular benefactors as well as those who donate notes and change throughout the year to our buckets at the church door and the poor box. Donations of food and gift cards at Christmas ensure we can pack generous hampers. In 2024, we delivered 95 in the local area.

 

In 2024, another successful application for a Club Grant through Wollongong Council resulted in the Builders’ Club grant of $7,000 toward our everyday work of providing essentials to those in need in our local community. We are most grateful for this financial support.  

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The Brian Tuxworth Fund is available for larger requests such as rental arrears and assistance with removalists.

 

We are grateful for our positive connection with local schools. Mini Vinnies at St Therese School prepare snack and hygiene packs for the Vinnies Van and to add to our hampers. At Christmas time, both St Therese and Edmund Rice College give generous donations of non-perishable food and ERC also collects Dignity Bags containing toiletries and other gifts for women and gives a cheque to pay for additional items at Christmas and beyond. 

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2025 positions:
•    President: Louise Pinson
•    Vice President: Barry Duggan
•    Treasurer: Melissa Bridges
•    Secretary: Margaret McKinnon
•    Records: Tony Brodnik
•    Spirituality: Elizabeth Honeysett
•    Twinning: Ann Baumber
•    Social Justice: Phyllis Coughlin
•    Social Secretary: Lauren Faulks
We have an additional eight wonderful members who join us to create our Home Visit Team.