Our Aspiration is for an Australia transformed by compassion and built on justice. - The Rule

Welcome dear friends to the first edition of The Record for 2025. Once again, the Society, as a lay Catholic organisation, with the continued commitment of Members supported by our staff and volunteers, will continue in its mission of serving those in need and promoting social justice.

I hope and pray that 2025 brings us closer to achieving our goal of building a more just and compassionate society.

The Federal Government handed down its 2025 Budget in anticipation of the Federal Election date being announced. The Society is well prepared for a national advocacy program based on our social priorities (see article on page 8). These priorities aim to encourage all candidates to announce policies that will deliver justice to those in need.

The Society’s advocacy campaign for the 2025 Federal Election is titled ‘Justice and Compassion’. The policy areas agreed by National Council to promote are as follows:

• Supporting a safety net for all Australians
• Housing security across the country
• Meeting the needs of First Nations Peoples
• Rising to the refugee challenge

I would like to welcome two new Members to National Council. Firstly, Rebecca (Bec) Bromhead from Queensland who accepted my invitation to take on the role of Vice President – Oceania. This new role on National Council will assist our long-term plans/work around supporting our fellow Vincentians and their work across the Oceania region. Members will recall Bec played a role in supporting the Society via her participation in Congress 23+ in Sydney.

Secondly, I would like welcome Ashley Carvalho from Western Australia who has agreed to take on the role of Vice-President – Youth. Ashley has worked with many young Members and leaders across Australia and has been a member for over 15 years.

Ashley is deeply committed to Catholic Social Teaching and living out the Gospel message through service to others. Her long-standing involvement with the Society reflects her alignment with its values, and she says she is eager to bring her gifts, charisms, and passions to continue to contribute to our mission.

In welcoming Bec and Ashley, I would like to extend my thanks and gratitude to Pat Wallis whose time with National Council has come to an end after six years of faithful service. During his time on National Council, Pat could be relied upon to advocate fiercely for the Society’s youth programs, both in Australia and across the Oceania region. Best wishes for the future, Pat.

Over the past 12 months, National Council has been tasked with opportunities to explore what it means for the Society to be a lay Catholic organisation and the centrality of Catholic Social Teaching in how we interact in the contemporary world. This process has culminated in the development of The Vincentian Way.

The Vincentian Way is a wonderful example of collaboration involving National Council, and a drafting group of Society Members and employees drawn from our mission and spirituality spaces. The latter stages of this process involved consultation with our Chief Executive Officers. Over the coming weeks I look forward to visiting and introducing The Vincentian Way to our eight State and Territory Councils, related corporate entities and employee leadership teams.

Finally, I was thrilled to hear of Pope Francis’s recovery and discharge from hospital following an extended and at times worrying period of ill health. Dare I suggest that millions of prayers have been instrumental in his recovery, alongside a devoted and highly capable medical team.