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ISSUE 24 SPRING 2008 A NEWSLETTER FOR SUPPORTERS OF THE ST VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY

In this issue...

2 Thank you!

3 Urban Lens

4 Brian’s Story

6 Malcolm’s Story

8 Creative corner

MARTINit's 9:30pm in... PLACE PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Dear friends, Everyone has their own reason and motivation to give, and John was Caroline’s inspiration. Purely As we reach the end of the and simply, all the different reasons to give can be cold winter months, I’d like to encapsulated in one word: people. Love and respect personally thank you for the for our neighbour (quite literally in Caroline’s case) warmth you have bought to the drives us to help one another in times of crisis. lives of people who need it most. In this edition of One Voice, we share with you the Recently, I received a letter from stories of some remarkable people, including those Caroline, a woman who found struggling on the streets, seeking warmth, sustenance hope and inspiration in the midst of tragedy. Caroline’s and companionship from the Vinnies Night Patrol neighbour John, passed away and she learnt at his funeral van, and people reaching “the end of the line” in that he was a devout Catholic. areas like Katoomba.

Caroline writes: “I knew him as the sweet old man who Your support helps bring hope, comfort and relief to tended his roses and sat on the porch each day catching these people every night and day. Thank you. up with the news via the Sydney Morning Herald. When Yours sincerely, I returned home from his funeral, One Voice was in my letterbox – and it seemed like a good idea to send you a donation in his memory.” Caroline continues, “John, who had lived in the same house for 80 years, died aged 97 while kneeling and saying his evening prayers. How Barbara Ryan lovely was that!” President St Vincent de Paul Society NSW THANK YOU!

This winter, we provided cameras to some of the people the Society assists to enable them to share their stories with you through photographic insights into their lives. Your response to their call for help was inspirational, enabling the St Vincent de Paul Society to:

Assist over 750,000 people in NSW and ACT Help the homeless achieve independent living Provide hope to women and children fleeing domestic violence Help refugee families rebuild their lives “This is where I sleep”, Tom, 37. An image from the Offer friendship and support to people experiencing Society’s 2008 Winter Appeal, “This time, it’s personal.” mental illness Thank you for your generous support through regular Provide assistance to thousands of Australian families giving and during the St Vincent de Paul Society’s 2008 when they need it most. Winter Appeal, themed “This time, it’s personal.” Thank you for your generosity.

2 9.9% of Australians, including 365,000 children live in poverty. SOURCE: AUSTRALIAN COUNCIL OF SOCIAL SERVICES For credit card donations visit www.vinnies.org.au or phone 13 18 12 (2005) NEWS

Sydney’s Global Gallery in Paddington recently In discussing the program, Megan said; “The featured Urban Lens, a photographic exhibition workshops gave the men the opportunity to engage by seven men from the St Vincent de Paul Society’s with others in a positive communal environment Matthew Talbot Hostel. while developing a skill, exploring their creative side and achieving a sense of hope, dignity and The exhibition was the result of a 10-week self empowerment. It gave them something photographic workshop run by artist and positive to look forward to each week.” photographer, Megan Carmont, who is a volunteer at the Matthew Talbot Hostel, one of the 37 “The quality of the work was extremely high. facilities comprising Matthew Talbot Homeless The photos blew my mind.” Services. Barbara Ryan, President of St Vincent de Paul Throughout the workshops, Megan and the men Society NSW, said, “This is a fantastic initiative explored a number of city locations to encourage that demonstrates the power of recreation in them to engage with each other and to find breaking the cycle of homelessness.” creative inspiration in their urban surroundings. “Through art, recreation and education programs About 80 of the best contemporary photographs across our homeless services, the St Vincent de went on display at the Global Gallery. Proceeds Paul Society works to empower people who are from the sale of the artwork went into a savings disadvantaged to take control of their situation account for each of the men, to help them get and strengthen their sense of hope, confidence back on their feet. A percentage of the income and self worth.” will be retained to give other homeless men the same opportunity to express themselves and Without the support of generous donors like you, improve their self esteem and confidence in the initiatives like Urban Lens would not be possible. future. Thank you.

For credit card donations visit www.vinnies.org.au or phone 13 18 12 3 BRIAN’S STORY –­ VINNIES NIGHT PATROL

“I can wait all day”, says Brian, “it’s just so perfect when perfect shot.” Brian continues, “I don’t always have a you finally see it.” He’s well accustomed to waiting, it camera with me but I notice when something comes used to bother him but it doesn’t worry him anymore. into my frame of view. Most people are in too much A smallish man in his late thirties with a broad grin of a hurry to recognise the perfect picture. I’m lucky”, and an impossibly thick moustache, Brian’s been in Brian concludes, “I get to see it every day.” various stages of homelessness now for around fifteen years, but he’s tired of talking about that. Brian’s friend Bob is less animated. When the Night Patrol Van makes its stop at Sydney’s Martin Place Brian waits to see a breed of owl that frequents Sydney’s around 9.30pm every night, most of the large crowd of Botanical Gardens at night this time of year. His eyes homeless people awaiting its arrival form a long queue. light up as he describes it to Jackie, a volunteer on Bob is too frail to stand in line. He waits on a bench the Vinnies Night Patrol Van. “It’s called a Tawny at the side of the plaza, where Jackie and the other Frogmouth, funny name isn’t it”, he gestures to Jackie, nearly spilling his cup of tea as he stretches neck and more importantly, we extend the hand of friendship, compassion arms out loosely imitating the owl. and dignity. We let these people know they haven’t been forgotten. “Sometimes I go to the State Library”, Brian adds, “you can sit in there all day and look up the birds and learn volunteers bring him a sandwich and a cold drink; he all about their habits.” Jackie asks him how his interest can’t handle hot drinks - he likes apple juice. in birds arose. “Well…” says Brian scratching his chin,“ “I’m a photographer, and any good photographer Tonight a biting wind is making it very cold and knows that sometimes you have to wait to get the Bob’s breathing is uneasy. He doesn’t like to talk much

SOURCE: 44 The majority of homeless persons say loneliness is the hardest thing to deal with. WWW. HOMELESSNESS For credit card donations visit www.vinnies.org.au or phone 13 18 12 AUSTRALIA.ORG.AU BRIAN’S STORY – VINNIES NIGHT PATROL

but Jackie asks him if he’s okay. “Yes thank you”, he murmurs. “I’m sorry Bob, we’re all out of apple juice tonight”, says Jackie, her hand on Bob’s shoulder. “That’s alright love”, Bob replies, his voice broken yet kind, “thank you for the sandwich.” Jackie leaves him, knowing that he likes his own space. The volunteers will keep a close eye on Bob over the coming nights, monitoring his health and hoping that it doesn’t

deteriorate further.

After about 45 minutes, the Night Patrol Van has

served the roughly eighty homeless persons assembled at Martin Place; it’s time to head off to the next destination, St Mary’s Cathedral. This journey continues every night of the year, explains Bernie, the “ coordinator of the St Vincent de Paul Society’s Night Patrol Service. “We see a lot of the same faces, but also some new ones. On average, we serve about 170 people per night.” more importantly, we extend the hand of friendship, compassion and dignity. We let these people know they haven’t been forgotten. “Of course, we provide tea, coffee, biscuits and sandwiches”, says Bernie, “but more importantly, the meal is an excuse to build a sense of community, a chance to extend the hand of friendship. We want to let these people know they haven’t been forgotten.”

Brian draws near nodding his head in agreement. “Ask anyone and they’ll tell you, it’s not the cold or the lack of food that hurts, it’s the loneliness that gets you in the end.”

Without your support, the warmth that the Vinnies Night Patrol Van brings to thousands of disadvantaged people could not continue. Thank you for helping us show the homeless they are not alone.

RESEARCH FINDING: On any given night, more than 30,000 people across NSW and the ACT are homeless.

Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics For credit card donations visit www.vinnies.org.au or phone 13 18 12 5 MALCOLM’S STORY – THE END OF THE LINE

“About two years ago”, says Catherine, “Malcolm described his predicament, outlining his story on a arrived at the Katoomba Vinnies Centre on a chilly crumpled notepad. afternoon balancing a goldfish in a bowl in one hand and a battered suitcase in the other.” Having run out of The Society placed Malcolm in emergency options, Malcolm turned to Vinnies when he became accommodation. “In view of Malcolm’s situation we homeless. would have liked to move him into more suitable accommodation elsewhere”, says Catherine, “but Catherine, a local St Vincent de Paul Society member, because of his abilities, we decided Katoomba was the explains how Malcolm lost his home, falling behind best place for him to be since it is, as he describes it, on repayments when an injury prevented him from known territory.” working. Malcolm is deaf and mute which made accessing assistance a very difficult proposition. Catherine and her Vinnies colleagues set about re- connecting Malcolm with a range of support services “The first challenge”, she recalls, “was working out how and negotiating a manageable repayment scheme to Malcolm wanted to communicate with us”. Malcolm attend to his debts. “One of the biggest problems

SOURCE: NATSEM AND FUJITSU 6 1.1 million Australians in housing stress are at risk of becoming homeless. CONSULTING DATA (JUNE 2008) For credit card donations visit www.vinnies.org.au or phone 13 18 12 MALCOLM’S STORY – THE END OF THE LINE

we faced”, says Catherine, “was actually getting people to understand that he couldn’t hear and he couldn’t speak.”

“Every time we rang the housing authorities or income support services we would get a different person and we’d have to go through the whole process again. They would expect him to come to the phone. It was very frustrating for Malcolm”, says Catherine, her voice lowering, “sometimes he would be in tears.”

After months of intensive efforts, the Society has managed to secure Malcolm suitable accommodation in a comfortable flat not far from the town centre. He is self sufficient again. Having returned to part-time work, Malcolm is beginning to enjoy life again.

“Malcolm is part of the Vinnies family now”, says Catherine with a warm smile. “He’s back on his feet and doing really well”, she continues. “He pops in to visit us regularly, letting us know RESEARCH FINDING: Homelessness is a how he’s going. Most importantly”, Catherine growing problem in areas concludes, “he knows that if he needs help we’re like Katoomba. Like a lot of semi- here for him.” rural towns on the fringe of major urban centres, Katoomba is an ‘end With your support, people like Malcolm are able to of the line’ destination for many become part of the “Vinnies family”. Your generous homeless persons fleeing the chaos assistance proves to them that they have not been and danger of the city. However, a forgotten and that somebody cares about what bitterly cold night on a mattress in happens to them. Thank you. a vacant lot is hardly a reprieve.

Wills and Bequests www.vinnies.org.au Gwen devoted more Please tick the appropriate boxes: than 40 years of her life to Yes, I would like to receive an information pack about remembering the St Vincent de Paul teaching. Before passing Society in my Will. away late last year, she Thank you, I have already included the St Vincent de Paul Society in my Will. Please enrol made the decision to me in ‘Forever Friends of the St Vincent de Paul Society’. act on one of the most important lessons she Please complete the following details and post to: PO Box 19, Petersham, NSW, 2049 had learnt in a lifetime of helping others. That lesson Title: Full name: was simple: we must love one another, especially Address: those less fortunate. Gwen Phone: Email: left a Bequest to the St Vincent de Paul Society in her Will. Her lesson, her legacy, now lives on in the hearts of those her Bequest continues to assist. For credit card donations visit www.vinnies.org.au or phone 13 18 12 7 CREATIVE CORNER - MT HANDS

“We’ve done a few big shows, but nothing as massive as this!” Ivan, the guitarist with MT Hands is astounded by the nearly 80,000 World Youth Day pilgrims cheering them on at the Vinnies Youth 4 Justice Concert, Barangaroo during World Youth Day. The band was part of a line-up including Vanessa Amorosi, Diesel and Chasing Bailey, 24ONE VOICE who came together to speak-out on social justice issues including homelessness. ISSUE 24, SPRING 2008 ‘One Voice’ is produced by Community MT Hands have been playing their exciting brand of rock music since forming and Corporate Relations (CCR), St Vincent de Paul Society NSW. in 2000 through the Murray Cook music workshop. Since then, MT Hands has Copyright 2008 Editor and Designer: Rachel Irvine showcased the talents of Sydney’s homeless men, attracting a number of gifted and Writers: Dr Andy Marks and Dane Hiser

skilled songwriters and musicians. Responsibility for the content of this publication is taken by Julie McDonald.

“We’re so grateful to be able to be a part of this”, says band member Justin. “This is Because we respect the privacy of the people we assist, names in this newsletter what it’s all about.” The group performed an exhilarating set, enlisting the inspirational may have been changed, stories voices of the Sydney Street Choir to create a moving rendition of the Simon and summarised and pictorial models used. For more information about the St Vincent de Garfunkel hit, A Hazy Shade of Winter. Paul Society, telephone: (02) 9560 8666 or visit: www.vinnies.org.au

MT Hands has enabled countless homeless musicians to improve their lives by All correspondence can be sent to: channelling the positive energy and therapeutic benefits of Matthew Talbot Homeless Publications Officer CCR, St Vincent de Paul Society Services’ music program. The Ozanam Learning Centre will give many other PO Box 5, Petersham, NSW, 2049 Email: [email protected] disadvantaged Australians the opportunity to express themselves positively through Printing by B&C Mailing music and other forms of healing recreation.

To make a one-off or regular donation to St Vincent de With your help we can make a difference Paul Society, simply complete the details below and post to: PO Box 19, Petersham, NSW 2049

Type of donation monthly Donation amount I would like to make a one-off donation. quarterly $100 $50 $300 OR I would like to make a regular donation, through the Circle of half-yearly $20 $500 Other: $ Hope regular giving program, on the basis indicated at right: annually Contact details Credit card details Visa MasterCard Amex NAME Credit card number: POSTAL ADDRESS Expiry Name date: on card:

PHONE NUMBER Signature:

EMAIL ADDRESS

If you wish to enclose a cheque (marked ‘not negotiable’) or money order, please make payable to: ‘St Vincent de Paul Society’. Post to: PO Box 19, PETERSHAM, NSW, 2049 The St Vincent de Paul Society follows the National Privacy Principles. If you do not wish to receive any more mail from us, please tick this box.

CALL THE DONATION HOTLINE: 13 18 12 OR VISIT: www.vinnies.org.au Note: Donations over $2 are tax deductable. A receipt will be mailed. 08OV02X