Two Victorian Vincentians honoured
Congratulations to Michael Crosbie and Jeffrey Harvey who have both been awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in the General Division, recognising decades of service to their local communities through voluntary work with St Vincent de Paul Society Victoria and many other local organisations.
St Vincent de Paul Society Victoria's State President, Brendan Podbury acknowledged Michael and Jeffrey’s significant achievements, saying, “These two men represent the 10,000 strong volunteer workforce at St Vincent de Paul Society Victoria who dedicate their time, skills and hearts to supporting others every day.
“Michael's financial expertise has helped organisations remain stable while expanding their reach and Jeffrey's 45-year commitment shows what sustained service can achieve.
“To Michael and Jeffrey – and to every volunteer who follows their example – thank you. Your service creates the foundation for hope, dignity and practical assistance that changes lives every day.
“Their recognition in the King's Birthday Honours acknowledges not just individual dedication, but the collective impact of people who see need and respond with action. Every conference visit, every treasurer's report, every delivery made builds the fabric of community support that catches people when they fall.
“The medals you wear represent not just your own commitment, but the trust placed in you by everyone who has been helped along the way. That trust, built through decades of showing up, is the real honour,” he said.
Jeffrey Harvey – Seaford Conference & Mornington Regional Council
Jeffrey Harvey's OAM recognises service to the community through a range of organisations – a modest description for an extraordinary commitment to others.
Jeffrey joined St Vincent de Paul Society Victoria in 1981. This year, he received a 45-year service medal, marking nearly half a century of standing alongside people experiencing disadvantage. As a member of the Seaford Conference, he has served as both volunteer and delivery assistant, bringing practical help directly to people in need in his local community.
His leadership extended to the Mornington Regional Council, where he served as President, and he volunteered with the Frankston Conference from 1998 to 2002. He also contributed to the Western Port Mini Vinnies Project, helping to inspire the next generation of volunteers.
Jeffrey's work life tells its own story of dedication. He has spent an incredible 65 years working for Bowens, formerly Bowen & Pomeroy Pty Ltd, which was highlighted by Nine News last year and by Bowens when Jeffrey celebrated 50 years in 2011.
His service spans a remarkable range of organisations including the Rotary Club of Hastings Western Port, the Salvation Army (assisting with Rotary Club projects), St Anne's Catholic Church Seaford, multiple cricket clubs including Fitzroy, Doncaster, Prahran, Oakleigh, Baxter and Frankston Peninsula. He has supported Western Port Secondary College, St Mary's Primary School Hastings, West Park Primary School, Hastings Primary School and the Chelsea Baseball Club.
*Photo: Bowens
Michael Crosbie – Sunshine Conference
Michael Crosbie has been awarded an OAM for service to the community of Sunshine. His story with St Vincent de Paul Society Victoria began in 1998, and for more than 25 years, he has been a steady presence in the lives of people facing hardship.
From 2010 to 2018, Michael served as President of the Sunshine Conference, guiding the team through years of increasing demand for support.
Since 2018, he has taken on the treasurer role – a position that requires both financial expertise and deep understanding of how every dollar can make a difference in someone's life.
Michael's professional background as a financial advisor has become a gift to his community. He has served as treasurer for the Western Central Council and as the Sunshine Conference's twinning officer, connecting local efforts with the broader mission of social justice.
Beyond St Vincent de Paul Society Victoria, Michael has been treasurer and advocate for people with financial difficulties at the Sunshine Credit Union, understanding that financial literacy can be the difference between crisis and stability. For 35 years, he served as treasurer and auditor at Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Sunshine.
His community footprint includes treasurer roles with the Sunshine Golf Club, East Sunshine Kindergarten, and the Sunshine and District Historical Society. He has tutored new arrivals learning English and is a life member of the Sunshine Football Club. Each role represents relationships built, trust earned, and lives quietly improved.