As Australia celebrates National Volunteer Week from 20–26 May, the St Vincent de Paul Society Victoria (SVDPV) invites Victorians to come and celebrate the invaluable contributions of its remarkable 11,000+ volunteers in a very special way.
From Tuesday to Friday, 21–24 May, SVDPV will host an interactive exhibition including an eight-metre-long timeline powered by AR (Artificial Reality) at Melbourne’s Xavier College in Kew.
The exhibition will offer visitors a captivating journey through the organisation’s 170 years of supporting Victorians in need. Located where the first SVDPV college conference began in 1908, it will showcase the charity's enduring legacy and the transformative impact of its volunteers on thousands of Victorians in need.
The theme of this year's National Volunteer Week, "Something for Everyone", resonates deeply with SVDPV's ethos of service and compassion. With a diverse array of services, programs and initiatives, including our 115 Vinnies Shops across Victoria, there truly is ‘something for everyone’ within the St Vincent de Paul Society.
"This exhibition offers a unique glimpse into the rich tapestry of SVDP's history and the extraordinary contributions of our members and volunteers," says St Vincent de Paul Society Victoria State President Michael Quinn.
"It is a testament to the enduring legacy of compassion and solidarity that has defined our charity for more than 170 years.”
Here’s a breakdown of the numbers in Victoria:
- Our core work of local grassroots assistance (3,700+)
- Vinnies Shops (total of 6,100+)
- Soup van teams (700+)
"Our members and volunteers’ unwavering dedication and compassion empower us to continue our mission of serving those in need, ensuring their human rights are protected and building a more just and compassionate society for all,” adds Mr Quinn.
The exhibition is open to the public from 11.00am to 4.00pm, Tuesday to Friday, May 21 to May 24, at Xavier College's Eldon Hogan Performing Arts Centre, 135 Bakers Road, Kew 3101 (Entry from Charles Street).
For more information about SVDP Australia and to explore volunteer opportunities, please visit https://www.vinnies.org.au/get-involved/volunteering.
About us:
ABOUT THE ST VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY:
The St Vincent de Paul Society and its wide network of members and volunteers provide practical frontline support, advocacy and friendship for the most vulnerable members of our community. Key services include home visitation; Vinnies Shops; youth programs; soup vans; assistance for asylum seekers and refugees; education and tutoring; and professional accommodation and health services through VincentCare. The St Vincent de Paul Society in Victoria has more than 11,000+ members and volunteers, and more than 60,000 across Australia. Internationally, the Society operates in 149 countries and more than 950,000 members. To find out more visit www.vinnies.org.au/vic.
Contact details:
Claudia Loeber-Raab | Media & Content Lead
claudia.loeber-raab@svdp-vic.org.au | 0438 804 023
