HISTORY: Like the Salvation Army, the St Vincent de Paul Society in Gunnedah has always been there for the needy and although times have changed the same compassionate outlook, enthusiasm and vision of the Society’s founders continues almost 100 years after the first local conference was formed under the umbrella of St Joseph’s Catholic Church.
The St Vincent de Paul Society was founded in France in 1833 by a young student named Frédéric Ozanam who walked through the poorer suburbs of Paris on his way to university lectures each day. He soon became deeply moved by the hopeless state of families who had been left without the support of their breadwinners after the cholera epidemic. A group of seven dedicated young Catholic men decided to put their faith into action and the Society of St Vincent de Paul was formed, named after the Patron Saint of Christian Charity.
The society expanded rapidly around the world and was established in Australia in 1854, with the inaugural conference formed in Melbourne.
Although the early history of the society in Gunnedah is sketchy, it appears that the first conference was formed in April 1926, when parish priest, Fr Daniel Keane, instigated a gathering of men of the parish after Sunday Mass and introduced Brother D. Haugh of the Central Council of the SVDP Society.
Bro. Haugh addressed the meeting and gave those present a knowledge of the society and its works.
The following officers were elected – T. O’Keefe (president), H. Grace and M. Campbell (vice-presidents), JL Booler (secretary), and V. Gould (secretary).
Bro. Haugh congratulated the founding members on their enthusiasm and expressed the hope that St Joseph’s Conference would carry on as it had begun.
A report in the Freeman’s Journal 30 years earlier mentions Gunnedah in a report of the annual meeting and breakfast of 26 established conferences and branches on December 19, 1896.
Mr LJ Dew read a report concerning the Central Library, which from its modest beginning in 1894, had quietly grown to more than 1000 volumes on its list, and had affiliated with its 17 branches, including Gunnedah, where the report revealed that the country branches “are conducted by the zealous nuns in three towns and by a Catholic institute at Gunnedah”.
In an article published in the Namoi Valley Independent in 1993, long-time volunteer and centre manager, the late Ossie Campbell OAM, recalled that the Gunnedah branch of the St Vincent de Paul Society had been officially aggregated on July 30, 1964, although a group had been in existence about 30 years before its official recognition.
He said a group of volunteers would meet at Bert Le Cussan’s barber shop in Conadilly Street to organise aid for people in need. From there the operations moved to St Joseph’s Catholic Church Presbytery and donated items were stored in the hall and a shed in the grounds.
Activities lapsed during the war years and the society was reformed in the 1940s.
In the 1960s operations moved to a disused upholstery shed at 149 Marquis Street, with a small meeting room and office.
Donations were encouraged from the wider community via the annual appeal when collection bags for clothing were dropped at each house in town and collected the following week by volunteers.
The building was gradually extended and opened for business as a retail centre on December 8, 1974. Over the years emergency overnight accommodation was added along with extra storage and office space. Much of this work was carried out by volunteer Ossie Campbell, a retired builder.
In September 1982, the St Mary’s women’s conference was formed and the two groups merged in 1989.
In the early 1990s, the opportunity arose to purchase the cottage next door at 147 Marquis Street. It was named O’Driscoll House in memory of Mother Mary Aloysius (Bidelia) O’Driscoll, the founding congregation leader of the Sisters of Mercy in Gunnedah. This provided the society with more storage space and in 1993 became the head office for the regional council and headquarters for the SVDP conference and welfare centre.
Over the next few years the Armidale Central Council raised concerns about the damage caused by low-level flooding resulting in ongoing damage to the structures and a poor working place for volunteers in the St Vinnie’s retail store.
Funding became available through a grant from the State Council of the St Vincent de Paul Society after the forced sale of nursing homes established by the society, when onerous government regulations regarding aged-care facilities made it impractical to continue providing care to the elderly.
Initial plans were to sell the local buildings and relocate to higher ground but this idea proved unsatisfactory and real estate advice was that the site in use was ideal because of its close proximity to the CBD.
The site lent itself to the construction of a single L-shaped building fronting both Marquis and Bloomfield Streets and allowed for adequate car spaces, with the welfare section having a separate entrance to the retail store. The building was to be constructed above a one in 100-year flood possibility.
Armidale Diocesan Central Council vice-president, Don Hewitt, was appointed project representative, responsible for liaising with the external project manager, builders and other consultants for the project. With a background in engineering, Don Hewitt was able to create a construction model to present to the state council and architects.
With diocesan president Kerry Muir and Don Hewitt shepherding the project, planning began in earnest and after council approval tenders were called. The firm Stephen Edwards Constructions was appointed under the supervision of site manager Richard Alderden.
During construction Vinnies moved to a large barn in Little Barber Street. The conference and welfare wing opened on Thursday, November 17, 2013, with the official opening on November 21 by NSW President of the St Vincent De Paul Society, Ray Reynolds. Mr Reynolds had been unable to attend the blessing by Bishop Michael Kennedy the previous week but was delighted to see the final results of a project which had been eight years in the planning.
He said the building had been completed on time and under budget and had high praise for Don Hewitt who had worked tirelessly, with attention to detail and “a sound understanding of all the steps from concept to completion”.
Ray Reynolds was joined by Don Hewitt and Kerry Muir in unveiling the plaque placed beneath a photograph of Pope Francis, who Mr Reynolds said was “a wonderful advocate for the poor and all Vincentians”.
Today, the St Vincent de Paul Society is active in 150 countries – commonly known in Australia today as Vinnies, the society has more than 45,000 members and volunteers across every state and territory, providing support through approximately 200 programs and services.
The work of St Vinnies is supported by donations and money generated through sales in Vinnie’s stores.
The Gunnedah branch is always in need of more volunteers and any offers of help would be welcome.
The late Oz Campbell, manager of St Vincent de Paul pictured in 1993.
Blessing at the St Vincent de Paul Centre 2013: Armidale Diocesan vice president Don Hewitt, bishop Michael Kennedy, diocesan president Kerry Muir, Gunnedah President Gloria Reading, parish priest Fr John McHugh and centre manager Olga Wilson.
The Vinnies Centre in Marquis Street.
Gunnedah centre opened 2013: St Vincent de Paul state president Ray Reynolds, Armidale Diocesan president Kerry Muir and vice president Don Hewitt unveiling the plaque.
