Governor of Victoria Visits Ozanam House

Recently, Ozanam House had the privilege of welcoming the Governor of Victoria, Her Excellency Professor the Honourable Margaret Gardner AC, in her role as Patron of St Vincent de Paul Society Victoria. The visit provided a valuable opportunity to highlight the breadth of services delivered at Ozanam House and the positive impact these programs have on the lives of Victorians experiencing homelessness.

Her Excellency was warmly received by State Council President, Michael Quinn; Executive General Manager – Client Services, Paul Turton (pictured); Senior Manager – Specialist Services, Molly O’Shaughnessy and Executive General Manager – Brand & Commercial, Charlie Spendlove. The tour was expertly guided by Danny Tilkeridis, Inner Melbourne Community Hub Manager.

The visit commenced at the O Café, where Her Excellency was served coffee by Jess, a client volunteer and participant in the barista training program, part of the wider Client Volunteer Program. The café serves between 100-150 coffees at each session, providing hands-on training and meaningful pathways to employment. Her Excellency was pleased to hear of the many program graduates who have since secured work beyond Ozanam House.

In the community garden, Her Excellency met Garry Liakoureas, a dedicated community volunteer, who spoke about the therapeutic gardening and horticulture sessions. These classes offer a safe, inclusive space for clients to reconnect with nature, build practical skills and find a sense of calm.

The tour continued through the kitchen and dining areas, where approximately 250 meals are prepared and served daily, amounting to nearly 90,000 meals each year. Her Excellency met with several volunteers, including Chef Francis, who leads the kitchen team and Nat, a well-known community volunteer and talented baker, who generously provides cakes for clients to enjoy.

Her Excellency also toured the residential facilities, learning about the range of accommodation options available at Ozanam House, including 60-crisis units, 48-transitional units, and 26-long-term independent living units. Services continued as usual during the visit, offering an authentic insight into daily operations and the dedicated work of employees and volunteers.

Throughout the visit, Her Excellency engaged warmly with clients, volunteers and employees, showing genuine interest in their experiences and the organisation’s future initiatives aimed at empowering clients and strengthening community connections. Her thoughtful questions and encouraging presence were greatly appreciated by all in attendance.

To commemorate the occasion, she was presented with a handcrafted terrarium, created by clients in the gardening program under Garry’s guidance. The Governor expressed her delight at receiving the gift and shared her intention to display it at Government House.

The visit served as a meaningful reminder of the importance of community, dignity and inclusive support, reinforcing the vital role that Ozanam House plays in creating pathways out of homelessness for Victorians in need.

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