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The Record Autumn 2025

Autumn 2025

Welcome to the Autumn 2025 issue of The Record.

In the years up to 1974, The St Vincent de Paul Record, our forerunner publication, was published monthly but unlike today, when it is free, or perhaps we should say ‘priceless’, it came with a cover price, in the case of the issue on our cover, threepence per copy.

In those days, production and printing were performed at St Vincent’s Boy’s Home in the Sydney suburb of Westmead.

Historical copies of the publication, archived in the Society’s National Council Secretariate office in Canberra, make for some inspiring and fascinating reading.

The depicted issue of 1 April 1950 reported on three new Conferences being established at Wagga Wagga, NSW and the founding of a Catholic stamp collecting group. A lengthy story on port clubs for seafarers said the lonely men would appreciate male and female companionship with whom to ‘expound their views on world problems and the ultimate end of man’. Apparently, being at sea made for a gloomy disposition.

Sandwiched between these diverse stories and black-and-white ads for David Jones menswear, insurance companies and monumental masons, came an editorial headed ‘Two Men’, which recounted the lives of Saint Vincent de Paul and Blessed Frédéric Ozanam.

‘St Vincent was a priest; Frédéric a layman, who, notwithstanding the responsibilities of marriage and a brilliant professional career, found time to give abundantly of himself to his less fortunate fellow citizens… one living the full allotted span, one dying ere he reached middle age - so much different in their lives in many ways and yet so much the same in their practical expression of charity…

‘These two men left an example: let all our members study it and make an honest attempt to follow it’.

Some sentiments never change, and Hallelujah! to that.

It may be noted that the Archdiocese of Perth also publishes a magazine titled The Record, which can be accessed at www.therecord.com.au. Like our magazine, it is a member of the Australasian Catholic Press Association.

Highlights from this issue

From the National President

Mark Gaetani

Message from the National President.

From the CEO

Toby oConnor

Message from the National Council's Chief Executive Officer.

Society appoints new Vice President – Oceania

Society appoints new Vice President - Oceania

Society appoints new Vice President – Youth

Society appoints new Vice President – Youth

Milestone marked at Government House, Victoria

The Record Autumn 2025 Preface

A winning vote for Justice and Compassion

Rose Beynon | St Vincent de Paul Society’s National Director of Policy and Advocacy

In the lead up to the last Federal Election (2025), St Vincent de Paul Society’s National Council updated the policy statement, Justice & Compassion.

Pre-election Budget a ‘mixed picture’

Mirielle Augustin | Policy & Advocacy, SVdP National Council Secretariate

Response to Federal Budget 2025-26, delivered by Treasurer Jim Chalmers on 26 March 2025.

North Queenslanders facing long flood recovery journey

St Vincent de Paul Society Queensland has warned that recovery could take years for flood-impacted residents across northern Queensland, but it’s not a journey they need to go through alone.

Amelie House gets $500,000 furniture donation

Amelie House, a new transitional housing facility for women at risk of homelessness in Hobart, has benefitted from a vital furniture and contents fit out worth $500,000 – all donated from a hotel marked for demolition.

Online retail platform for Victoria

Vinnies Victoria launch online retail platform.

Church leaders discuss support for refugees

Church leaders discuss support for refugees; Bishop Vincent Long Van Nguyen was a panellist at St Vincent de Paul Society's Congress 2023+ in Sydney.

Get to know St Vincent de Paul Society Australia’s Overseas Partnerships Program

The St Vincent de Paul Society Australia (SVdP) is deeply committed to supporting communities in need, both locally and globally. We fulfil this commitment by helping those in need in the Asia-Pacific region through the Overseas Partnerships Program (OPP).

Ready to jump in to this quarter's issue?

April 2025

Travelling as Pilgrims of Hope

Leo Tucker | Executive Director Mission and Formation, St Vincent de Paul Society NSW

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