Australian Vincentians are delighted at the news of Paul Trezise’s appointment as the St Vincent de Paul Society’s next International Territorial Vice President for Oceania. 

Paul spoke to The Vincentian from Cape Town recently, during a meeting of the of the Society’s International Council General / Conseil Général International (CGI). 

“It was quite exciting,” Paul said of the big news. “On the other hand, it's with a bit of trepidation, in terms of a lot of learning, new things to do, and a lot of new places.” 

Paul’s official responsibilities as an advisor, supporter and connector in the Vincentian network of charity across the Oceania territory covers many National Councils, including Australia, the Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, New Zealand, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste, Tonga and Vanuatu. 

“Even just getting the vaccinations to travel there was a bit of an exercise,” Paul said.  

Serving the Society’s mission across Oceania is part of an extraordinary journey which began shortly after Paul arrived as a young man in the unfamiliar city of Canberra in the early 1980s. “I didn’t really know anyone,” he said.  

“I got to meet some friends – one of those friends, whose name is Sarah – she saw this Ad in the Cathedral Bulletin, looking for volunteers to help at a Vinnies Women’s Refuge.” 

Despite Paul’s initial reluctance, Sarah gently persuaded him to come along, where Paul soon discovered he was the only male in the Women’s Refuge Conference. 

“But they were very welcoming to me,” Paul said, and soon felt he was helpful there, continuing in this unexpected volunteering for eight years. 

Sarah also found Conference work rewarding, and over the years, the friends grew in their works of charity, alongside which another love blossomed.  

“Subsequently, Sarah and I got married,” Paul said, and they continued in the Conference in their marriage’s early years. “Our baby used to come along to Conference meetings too.” 

As Paul and Sarah’s young family expanded and Paul’s work took him overseas, there came a stage when ‘it all became too difficult’ to do Conference work. 

“I think that’s the story with a lot of our younger members but I think something we should remember is just part of life.” 

Paul’s earliest years with the Society were a great experience and were a great foundation for a lifelong connection.  

It wasn’t just deep friendships with fellow members, but also the Companions or people they assist, and knowing they did truly good works, even beyond any of the Society’s works that he initially knew about. 

The strength and depth of character in other Vincentians made a deep impression on Paul and continues to inspire. Brian Murnane is one such member, who struck Paul as a man of wisdom and a ‘gentle manner’ which Brian applied to practical solutions for very long-term issues in community housing. 

“That was fantastic to see and that length of time that Brian had put into that area… was just incredible.” 

Service as CEO of the St Vincent de Paul Society Canberra/Goulburn from 2012-2017 was Paul’s first experience in working in the Society’s mission as an employee. 

Pleasingly, Paul was reunited with Brian Murnane, decades later, for the same mission. 

“Brian was then CEO of St Vincent de Paul Housing, and I really enjoyed working with Brian - at every opportunity,” Paul said. 

Australia was facing a worsening homelessness crisis, with dramatic increases in the number of people experiencing homelessness in NSW and the ACT. The Society’s members, volunteers and employees in Canberra/Goulburn responded with increased youth programs, community engagement, and strengthening of existing programs and services.  

Paul, similar to the Vincentians who inspired him, can also be described as of great humility, charity and commitment to addressing long-term injustice.  

In a sign of the truth in Mark Twain’s quip, that ‘a man’s character may be learned from the adjectives which he habitually uses,’ Paul’s leadership was also described by many as marked by strategic vision, modesty and dedication.  

He entered retirement following those five years as CEO of the Society in Canberra/Goulburn, before returning to further leadership roles in the for-purpose sector. 

Paul later served as Special Advisor on behalf of the National Council of the Society, focusing on supporting the Society’s special works in Tasmania. Paul was most recently Treasurer of the National Council from 2019-2022.  

When Paul was more recently asked to consider the Oceania role, “It was quite a surprise.”  

Vincentians need a bit of nudge to consider these things, Paul said, “because I’d seen what a big commitment it was for Frank.” 

“I talked to Sarah about it, and my family, and they thought it was a really good idea.”  

Now in Cape Town, Paul is receiving an immersive insight into the global works, services and activities of the Society, with dozens of Vincentians gathered from all around the world.  

“The meeting has been very interesting. It’s like a mini United Nations really, and language is quite significant, and they do have simultaneous interpretation in Spanish, Portuguese, French, English,” Paul said of the well-organised meeting hosted by the Society in South Africa. 

Paul can also see first-hand the global appreciation for Frank Brassil’s service. 

“It's been a good way to start off the new role and for Frank to finish his time,” Paul said. 
“People are really appreciative of his incredible contribution, and very sad to let him go.” 

The Society takes this opportunity to express deepest gratitude to Frank Brassil, as outgoing International Territorial Vice President for Oceania, for his tireless efforts over the years. 

“Frank has been instrumental in supporting all the National Councils, ensuring members felt fully supported in their work across Oceania. “He is highly regarded in the international community and will be greatly missed,” Mark Gaetani, National Council President, said.  

Frank and his successor Paul have much in common, as men of charity, public service, and science, having worked at Geoscience Australia in Canberra at the same time. 

“To see all the things Frank has done, both in Canberra/Goulburn as the President and National Council, as Treasurer, and the international work, has been quite inspirational for me,” Paul said. 

“Not just Frank’s work but the way he’s gone about it has been great and so respected. It really interesting at that meeting here to see just how much people value his wisdom and his willingness to stand up and say something that is helpful,” Paul said.  

While Paul’s life and work will cover Oceania, and covered much of south-eastern Australia, Paul and Sarah now call regional New South Wales home within the Canberra/Goulburn Territory Council. 

There Paul enjoys Australia’s natural landscape through hiking and tennis, and the couple are highly involved with St Augustine’s Conference Yass. 

“I don’t want to leave my local Conference, I find it’s very grounding but it’s also important to see the bigger picture  and some of the issues that are just beyond our comprehension in places like Africa and Oceania,” he said. 

Paul looks forward to supporting the Society’s vital works and meeting Vincentians across the Oceania territorial region. 

The Society would like to strongly thank Paul Trezise for his extensive Vincentian service and accepting the new responsibility.  

“I would like to congratulate Paul on his appointment and very much look forward to working with and supporting Paul in this very important role,” Mark Gaetani, National Council President, said.