Peter Dougherty has been appointed the new State President of the St Vincent de Paul Society Queensland, stepping into the role on 1 June 2026 after nearly 30 years of service with the Society.

He says Society members need to be both resilient and compassionate, treating each person seeking help as the most important person in the room.

Peter succeeds Patricia (Trish) McMahon, the first female State President in Queensland, praising her calm leadership through complex and potentially volatile situations and acknowledging the “big shoes” she leaves to fill.

His focus as State President will be on the Society’s mission of helping Queenslanders in need, ensuring teams are well resourced, and building on the work of past leaders.

Peter notes recent years have brought serious challenges, including rising housing and living costs, but also growth through new housing projects nearing completion and expanding reconciliation efforts with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Companions and partners.

Guided by the words of Matthew 25 – ‘whatever you do for the least of your brothers and sisters, you do for me’ – he says that even after three decades, every day with St Vincent de Paul still feels like achieving something special. 

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