The St Vincent de Paul Society National Council of Australia aspires to work towards a country transformed by compassion and built on justice.
The purpose of our National Council is to represent and guide The Society nationally, enabling the state and territory councils in achieving our mission.
Our National Council is instituted by the International Council General and guided by the Society’s statutes outlined in The Rule.
Members of our National Council include our President, and the Presidents of our six State and two Territory Councils, our spiritual advisor, youth representative, and office bearers. Presidents are elected by members. Office holders are appointed by the National President. The Spiritual Advisor's role is to facilitate the Council to be ‘genuine communities of faith and love, of prayer and action’ and ‘meet as brothers and sisters with Christ in the midst of them.‘ The Rule
The members of National Council (The Rule, Art 15) are the members of the St Vincent de Paul Society National Council of Australia Inc. and are the directors of the Association’s board (Association Constitution, Cl 10).
National Council is a member of two related entities:
National Council Secretariate supports and assists National Council implement its Strategic Plan.
Our Secretariate is led by the National Council CEO, Toby oConnor.
The National Council of the St Vincent de Paul Society in Australia has agreed to hold a National Congress on 27-29 October 2023.
National Congress 2023+ will bring Society Leaders from across Australia together to reflect on the Society’s strategic vision on critical matters relating to the Society’s membership, mission and spirituality, and to guide the direction of the Society into the future.