1865 and onwards

Frederic Ozanam who established the St Vincent de Paul Society was born in Paris on 23 April 1833.

The first Conference Meeting was held on 24 July 1865 by the founding president John Gorman.

John Gorman passed away and the Society ceased for around 30 years.

The St Vincent de Paul Society WA re-formed on 26 June 1911 and the first Conference was held in Highgate Hill.

The first Issue of 'The Vincentian', the official newsletter of St Vincent de Paul Society WA, was published on 25 July 1914.

The first grant from the Lotteries Commission – 100 Pounds – was received on 21 March 1933.

Overseas Relief Assistance commenced and now includes the 'Twinning', 'Assist A Student' and 'Special Projects'.

On April 13, 1956 a Relic of St Vincent de Paul was given to us for public veneration. It was presented by Sister Louis, the Superior General of the Congregation of the Mission of the Society of the Daughters of Charity NSW. The Daughters of Charity Congregation was founded in 1633 in France by St Vincent de Paul and St Louise de Marillac.

A round gilt reliquary was ordered and the sacred relic housed inside. The wooden frame was fashioned by Br Bruce Lewis, President, Glendalough Conference in 1987. The finished article includes the reliquary, an engraving of St Vincent de Paul, a certificate of authenticity, and a photograph of the glass and silver case holding the waxen image of St Vincent de Paul which houses his bones.

The Relic is housed in the Chapel at Ozanam House in Canning Vale, WA.

Camillus House Night Shelter and store for donated goods opened on 28 April 1957.

The first Vinnies shop opened at 318 Bulwer Street, North Perth.

The second Vinnies shop opened in July on 46 8th Avenue, Maylands.

The third Vinnies shop opened on Helena Street in Midland with the first appointed St Vincent de Paul Society WA manager.
The first Distribution Centre opened at Osborne Park.

The Society logo was designed.
The hand of Christ blessing the cup. The hand of love offering the cup. The hand of suffering receiving the cup

Women were officially accepted as Members.

First Aboriginal Initiative by the Society – St Norberts Hostel – by the Anawim Conference who operated a 24-hour care and accommodation facility.

The 'Migrant and Refugee Outreach' started. Conferences provided furniture, clothing and access to special loans to help displaced persons to get settled.

Beginnings of the state-of-the-art Call Centre the Society operates today.

Historically people in need contacted their Parish Priest who referred them to the closest conference, however in 1981 calls had increased so much that they were received at Head Office in Camillus House in Bronte Street who relayed them to the relevant conference.

Worldwide celebrations for 150 Years of the Society’s founding in Paris by Frederic Ozanam. A Celebration Mass was held at St Mary’s Cathedral with 700 in attendance.

The Federal Government funded two Camillus house employees and another staff at the Geraldton Night Shelter. This was the first time St Vincent de Paul Society WA had paid employees. We now have over 300 employees in Western Australia.

John Meahan was elected WA State President and in 1998 he was elected National Vice President – the first West Australian to be elected to this position.

St Vincent de Paul Society WA established a Mental Health Service with Keith Wilson as a Chairperson.

Frederic Ozanam was beatified in Paris and became Blessed Frederick Ozanam.
A state celebration was held at St Mary’s Cathedral in Perth.

Gerry Darwin, Sculptor and member of Armadale Conference made a bust of Frederic Ozanam for every State Council in Australia. It sits in the foyer at Ozanam House in Canning Vale. 

Brian Bull OA APM was elected State President in Western Australia and his Induction Mass was held at St Mary’s Cathedral.

Tom Fisher was appointed first WA State Archivist by Brian Bull. Tom was a long-time member of the Society.

The Society Headquarters moved from 9 Bronte Street in East Perth (the site of  Camillus House) to 76 Abernethy Road Belmont on 9 April 2001.

The new State President Genevieve De Souza was commissioned on 4 September 2005. She was the first female State President in WA.

The Vincentian Village was completed and 'Vincentcare' was well regarded in the community and the mental health and social services sector. The Mental Health Service 'Vincentcare' received the St John of God Health Care Group 'Charity of the Year' award.