New Toowoomba leadership team set to leave their Mark

After a well-lived life full of achievements – becoming a mayor, owning a business, helping establish the Save the Bilby Fund and even being in an internationally touring band - Mark O’Brien has just taken on one of his biggest challenges yet.

The Allora resident was recently appointed President of St Vincent de Paul in Toowoomba, leading local efforts to provide support and hope for Darling Downs residents experiencing homelessness, poverty, and other hardships.

“I’ve had a life full of opportunities. It would be wrong if I didn’t do something with them,” Mr O’Brien said.

Toowoomba remains one of St Vincent de Paul’s biggest growth areas for need in Queensland.

In the last financial year, across Toowoomba and the Darling Downs, the Society supported more than 35,000 locals – more than a 65% increase from the same period in 2020-2021.

“It’s been a very challenging time for St Vincent de Paul in the Darling Downs with rising rent costs, rising costs of living and a growth in locals facing homelessness,” he said.

“But it’s also an exciting time for us to rise to the occasion, form new local connections with the community and each other and remind each other why it’s so important for us to help people in need.

“I feel lucky to be in this position.”

Mr O’Brien has been a Member of the St Vincent de Paul Society for 48 years.

Joining Mark in his goals is another Mark – Mark Copland, the Society’s new Executive Officer for the Toowoomba region and a lifelong social justice advocate.

“From our Members on the frontline of support, to the volunteers in our Shops, to those who donate or purchase from our retail centres, we all have an important role to play in making a difference to locals doing it tough,” Mr Copland said.

The pair share an interest in First Nations advocacy, with Mark Copland currently on the Board for the Goolburri Aboriginal Health Advancement Company, and Mark O’Brien spending ‘40 beautiful years’ working with Aboriginal communities in the western Downs.

“Being able to spend time with First Australians has been one of the joys of my life,” Mr O’Brien said.

“I am keen to help our Society do more reconciliation work and walk ever more strongly beside our first Australians.”

Mr O’Brien said another focus will be the growth of local youth programs.

“We have an incredible team of young servant leaders in Toowoomba and we want to support them to continue and grow their great work,” he said.

If you’d like to learn more about Membership or Volunteering opportunities with St Vincent de Paul, visit vinnies.org.au/get-involved