Bringing people together
Last Saturday, over 100 people from across the Society gathered at St Clare’s Catholic Church Box Hill North for Mass and a celebration honouring three exceptional members and a group of long serving Vincentians whose milestones span decades of quiet service. Father Bruce Duncan in his homily provided a reflection on the importance of community in modern times, setting a warm tone for what followed.
Brendan Podbury, on behalf of St Vincent de Paul Society Victoria, honoured many of the long-standing conference members and significant anniversaries of conferences. Attendees were surprised to learn that Essendon Conference was marking 100 years this year, while Williamstown and Gardenvale Conferences had each reached 125 years of service.
Mary Atkins, Dennis Mirabella and Margaret Gearon were the 2026 honourees for A Call to Serve.
For 24 years, Mary has brought kindness, presence and creative thinking to the realities of rural conference work, partnering closely with her local Vinnies Shop and working with her local public pool to secure shower facilities for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
Mary continues to give hope and help to many people.
Dennis has served across three conferences for more than 60 years and said that while one person can make a difference, the mateship and friendships built within conferences are invaluable.
Now 91, Dennis completed six home visits the day before, most to help people stay in their homes by assisting with rent. He also spoke plainly about how the Society relies on donations and bequests rather than government funding and noted that we are trusted to use those funds wisely.
Margaret has been a member for 15 years and said she was surprised by the hidden disadvantage in her own community. She believes practical assistance and advocacy must go hand in hand, telling the room, "We go where angels fear to tread."
Margaret also spoke of her conviction that education helps close the gap, describing a lack of education as a root cause of poverty.
Anne Tuohey, the Project Writer behind A Call to Serve for the past 13 years, spoke of the humility she encounters in every honouree. She said members often tell her, "I don't do this work to be honoured, I do this work to make a difference." Anne described members as invisible menders, quietly holding people together through hard times, calling them the backbone of the Society and an inspiration in her own work as a conference member.
Brendan closed by acknowledging that the members and conferences are the Society itself. "A Call to Serve is about bringing people together and sharing the stories and the love that members have for their conference," he said, adding that a highlight of his day had been catching up with past honourees who returned to attend.
For 13 years, A Call to Serve has recorded some of this work, offering a glimpse into what members do every day. Their service quietly honours Blessed Frederic Ozanam's legacy, carried out without any need for recognition. Saturday was a chance to pause and properly thank those who ask for so little in return. Congratulations to all who were celebrated.