Australian Vincentians have welcomed Paul Trezise’s appointment as St Vincent de Paul Society’s International Territorial Vice President for Oceania.

Paul spoke to me from Cape Town recently, during a meeting of the Society’s International Council General / Conseil Général International (CGI).

‘It was exciting,’ Paul said of the big news. ‘On the other hand, it's a bit of trepidation, in terms of a lot of learning, new things to do, and a lot of new places to visit and think about.’ 

Paul’s official responsibilities as an advisor, supporter and connector in the Society's network of charity across the Oceania territory covers many National Councils, including Australia, the Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, New Zealand, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste, Tonga and Vanuatu.

‘Even just getting the vaccinations to travel was a bit of an exercise,’ Paul said. 

Serving the Society’s mission across Oceania is part of an extraordinary journey which began shortly after Paul arrived as a young man in the unfamiliar city of Canberra in the early 1980s. 

‘I didn’t really know anyone,’ he recalls. ‘I got to meet some friends – one of those friends, Sarah, saw this ad in the Cathedral Bulletin, looking for volunteers to help at a Vinnies Women’s Refuge.’

Despite Paul’s initial reluctance, Sarah gently persuaded him to come along. He soon discovered he was the only male in the Women’s Refuge Conference.

‘But they were very welcoming to me,’ Paul said, and he soon felt helpful there, continuing in this unexpected volunteering for eight years.

Sarah also found Conference work rewarding, and over the years, the friendship grew in their works of charity, with love blossoming alongside.  

‘Subsequently, Sarah and I got married,’ Paul said, and they continued with Conference work in their marriage's early years. ‘Our baby used to come along to Conference meetings, too’, he added. 

As Paul and Sarah’s young family expanded and Paul’s work took him overseas, there came a stage when it became too difficult to continue Conference work. 

‘I think that’s the story with a lot of our younger members, but I think something we should remember is just part of life.’ 

Paul’s earliest years with the Society were a great experience and a foundation for a lifelong connection.  

It wasn’t just deep friendships with fellow members, but also the Companions or people they assist, and knowing they did truly good works, even beyond any of the Society’s activities that he initially knew about. 

The strength and depth of character in other Vincentians made a deep impression on Paul and continues to inspire him. 

Service as CEO of St Vincent de Paul Society Canberra/Goulburn from 2012-2017 was Paul’s first experience working in the Society’s mission as an employee. 

Pleasingly, Paul was reunited with Brian Murnane, whose ‘gentle manner’ and practical ways had impressed him years earlier. 

‘Brian was then CEO of St Vincent de Paul Housing, and I really enjoyed working with him at every opportunity,’ he said. 

Like the Vincentians who inspired him, Paul can also be described as having great humility, charity, and commitment to addressing long-term injustice.  

Paul entered retirement following those five years as CEO of the Society in Canberra/Goulburn, before returning to further leadership roles in the for-purpose sector. 

He later served as Special Advisor on behalf of the Society’s National Council, focusing on supporting Special Works in Tasmania. More recently, he was Treasurer of the National Council from 2019 to 2022.  

Paul can also see first-hand the global appreciation for his forerunner Frank Brassil’s service. 

‘It's been a good way to start off the new role and for Frank to finish his time,’ Paul said. ‘People are really appreciative of his incredible contribution, and very sad to let him go.’ 

‘To see all the things Frank has done, both in Canberra/Goulburn as the President and National Council as Treasurer, and the international work, has been quite inspirational for me.’ 

In his spare time, Paul enjoys tennis and Australia’s natural landscape through hiking. He and Sarah are highly involved with St Augustine’s Conference Yass, which will be greatly missed, for now. 

‘I don’t want to leave my local Conference; I find it’s very grounding but it’s also important to see the bigger dimension and some of the issues that are just beyond our comprehension in places like Africa and Oceania,’ he said. 

National Council President Mark Gaetani said, ‘I congratulate Paul on his appointment and very much look forward to working with and supporting him in this very important role.’ 

Jordan Grantham is Internal Communications Manager, St Vincent de Paul Society NSW.