Our Structure
Learn more about our structure as a national and international organisation.
Trish McMahon
State President
As the State President, Trish values working closely with fellow Vincentians, staff and volunteers and serving with humility, faith in God and ensuring the vision of Blessed Frederic Ozanam continues to flourish in this generation, and the next.
Trish's father was a Vincentian in Warwick and Toowoomba and his leadership inspired her. When Trish joined the Society she started with the St Stephen's Conference in 2013 and was one of just three Conference Members at the time.
During her time with the Society, She has held the positions of Conference President, BDCC Secretary, Treasurer and Diocesan President for Brisbane, but now holds the position of State President.
Upon Trish's election as State President she shared her vision for the Society:
- To stay true to our Mission, faith tradition and lay Catholic identity. To adapt and innovate in the name of progress without losing sight of who we are and what our mission is
- To develop and grow the collaboration between Members, Volunteers and Staff, including those in our Conferences and Programs working on the front lines of support in our communities. By working together, we can support each other to bring the very best outcomes for our Society and those we assist
- To continue to encourage our youth and support the great work of our Vinnies Youth teams
- To encourage growth in our Vincentian and volunteer recruitment efforts and expand our Society's community work
- To continue our response for the homelessness and housing crisis in our State. The groundwork has begun, we just need to build on it!
State Council Members
- Patricia McMahon, State President
- Dennis Innes, Vice President
- Nick Herron, Vice President
- Dan Carroll, State Treasurer
- Susan Dann, State Secretary
- Stephanie Veitch, State Youth Representative
- Br Damien Price, Spiritual Adviser
- John O’Gorman, Brisbane Diocesan Central Council President
- Peter Duffy, Western Diocesan Central Council President
- Beryl Rowan, Northern Diocesan Central Council President
- John Blake, South Coast Diocesan Central Council President
- Shane Blakeley, Toowoomba Diocesan Central Council President
- Brian Headford, Townsville Diocesan Central Council President
- Peter Dougherty, Rockhampton Diocesan Central Council President
- Veronica Innes, Far North QLD Diocesan Central Council President
Joe Duskovic
Chief Executive Officer
As CEO of St Vincent de Paul Society Queensland, Joe Duskovic is driven to support the Society to serve people in need with dignity, compassion and respect, and to advance social justice, equity and the common good across Queensland.
Joe joined Vinnies in 2013, bringing extensive experience across governance, legal, risk, audit and property functions.
He is a strong believer in servant leadership and values-based decision-making, grounded in stewardship, trust and a deep respect for the dignity of every person.
Through his leadership, Joe has supported the strengthening of governance frameworks and the delivery of major initiatives, including housing and property programs that respond to growing pressures on individuals and families across Queensland.
Joe believes in collaborative, purpose-driven leadership that empowers people, builds capability and enables meaningful outcomes for communities.
He has a proven track record in leading multidisciplinary teams, managing change and supporting organisational sustainability within complex, mission-driven environments as St Vincent de Paul Society Queensland continues to evolve to meet growing community need.
Joe remains committed to guiding the future of St Vincent de Paul Society Queensland and supporting its Members, Volunteers and Employees to work together in service of the Mission. He is focused on ensuring the Society continues to meet growing community need across Queensland, grounded in the Vincentian spirit of dignity, compassion and hope.
How the St Vincent de Paul Society is structured
We are part of an international organisation, led by thousands of amazing volunteers, members, and staff, to serve those in need in our communities.
In Australia, the St Vincent de Paul Society works under a federated model. Every State and Territory has a central office or headquarters that manages the day-to-day operations and needs of the people in that state.
While we operate as separate entities, we work closely together every day to advocate for, and help, disadvantaged communities right across the country. By focusing on our own backyard in Queensland, we can quickly adapt to the needs of our communities – be it through responding to natural disasters or a personal/family crisis requiring assistance with housing, clothing, and food.
Dioceses
The St Vincent de Paul Society Queensland structure is made up of eight Dioceses.
Within each Diocese we have Regional Councils, Conferences, Youth Programs, Special Works, Committees, and Vinnies stores. Each Diocese brings together and leads their members in a collective mission - to help people in their local district. They provide governance support and are there to help meet the individual needs of their region, which may be vastly different to the next.
State Council
The St Vincent de Paul Society Queensland State Council operates as the board for the state. The State Council is ultimately responsible for the overall governance of the Society, its subsidiaries and all its Councils and Conferences.
The President of State Council is the Society's representative on the National Council of St Vincent de Paul Society in Australia.
Want more information?
For more information about St Vincent de Paul Society QLD get in touch with us.