The Society’s Overseas Partnerships Program (OPP) National Network met in Sydney on 7-8 March for their first in-person gathering since the inaugural meeting in 2024, strengthening connections across Australia and with international partners from Fiji, India and New Zealand. The weekend fostered collaboration, reflection and renewed commitment to supporting Vincentian works through Twinning, Projects, Assist A Student and shared faith in action.

The OPP National Network is made up of the OPP Standing Committee, state and territory Overseas Partnerships Committee Chairs and an administrative support staff member from each state or territory, and staff from the National Council Secretariate. In addition, three overseas guests were in attendance: Arthur Schultze (Oceania Twinning Coordinator and National Twinning Coordinator – New Zealand), Flolyn Simpson (National Twinning Coordinator – Fiji), and Norbert Gonzalves (National Twinning Coordinator – India).

The Network meets regularly online but this in-person meeting allowed for much deeper discussions. The first session of the meeting, facilitated by Network co-chairs Catherine Smith (newly appointed National Twinning Officer - Australia) and Rozlyn Kelly (OPP Facilitator – Asia), looked back at the Network’s achievements over the past two years and began planning its priorities for 2026 and beyond.

A highlight for everyone was the question-and-answer panel on Saturday evening facilitated by Bec Bromhead, National Council Vice President – Oceania and member of the OPP Standing Committee. The panel consisted of Kevin McMahon (OPP Standing Committee Chair) and the three overseas guests in attendance. They fielded questions submitted by OPP Network members, with many directed to Flolyn and Norbert about the Society in Australia’s partner countries, India and Fiji, and the people they assist. There were several questions about Twinning between Australian and overseas Conferences. The panel session was recorded and will be made available to Society Members in the coming months.

Catherine Smith, National Twinning Coordinator, said, “We learnt so much from their stories and insights about how the support provided from Australian Conferences and Councils really does make a difference on the ground to some of the poorest people in our neighbouring countries. These stories of good works, which we hope to share with the wider Vincentian membership, are powerful reminders of faith in action in all its forms.”

Over dinner, Kevin McMahon formally thanked the outgoing National Twinning Officer, Mike Reynolds, for his dedication to the role over the past six years, and his work with the Network over the past two years as one of its inaugural co-chairs.

On Sunday the meeting opened with a reflection by the National Assist A Student Coordinator, Anita Williams, sharing vulnerably about her experience of visiting Thailand and Cambodia in 2025. This set the tone for the day, covering the topics of strength-based and partnerships approaches, a privacy and safeguarding workshop, and Mass at the Mary MacKillop Chapel. The day concluded with some small group discussions about Twinning, Assist A Student, Projects and administration support, building on the previous day’s session and identifying any new areas of focus for the Network.

Since the Network’s first meeting in 2024, there have been minimal changes to state and territory Overseas Partnerships Committee Chairs. However, the staff supporting the Chairs and Committees have changed in most states and territories. The opportunity for the staff to meet in person has been invaluable for the sharing of knowledge and resources. One staff member reflected that they “believe building relationships with other administrative staff will help with ongoing discussions and online meetings”.

Catherine said it was so fruitful to meet together in person.

“The opportunity to discuss the strengths and challenges going forward was timely and productive. Like most Vincentian works, the strengthening of relationships was invaluable – and it was often the casual conversations outside of the main sessions where these connections were really cemented,” she said.

“I am looking forward to seeing the fruits of this in-person meeting in the ongoing works in the year ahead and beyond.” 

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