The inaugural St Vincent de Paul Society NSW Good Works Summit brought together 400 Vincentians for a celebration of Society-wide impact.
The inaugural St Vincent de Paul Society NSW Good Works Summit brought together 400 Vincentians for a celebration of Society-wide impact.
Members, volunteers and employees converged on Bankstown Sports Club in October for an energising day highlighting the diverse work of the Society, while giving attendees the chance to meet and reconnect with fellow Vincentians from all parts of the state.
The focus of the Good Works Summit – ‘Together, We Are More’ – reflected the strength the Society finds in unity and shared purpose.
Proceedings began with a Welcome to Country from Dharug Elder Uncle Colin Locke, followed by a welcome from Dame Beverley Kerr AM and an inspiring spiritual reflection by Sister Angela Uybarreta MGL.
The morning session saw Society NSW CEO Yolanda Saiz praise the collective impact of all our people, before Tanya Plibersek, Minister for Social Services, and Rebecca Pinkstone, Homes NSW CEO, delivered keynote addresses highlighting the role of the Society NSW in meeting the needs of people facing hardship through emergency aid and housing.
Panel discussions conducted throughout the day focused on topics such as the changing landscape of support, ensuring dignity in our welfare system and the Vinnies Voices survey.
A range of workshops tailored to the interests of attendees ranged from the scope of specialist services delivered by the Society NSW, Catholic Social Teaching, preparing snack and toiletries packs for our networks of Vinnies Vans and the newly launched Vinnies Finds e-commerce platform.
Evening proceedings were hosted by journalist Joe Hildebrand and featured a musical performance from the Forbes Street Band. The Good Works Awards recognised the outstanding contributions of Members and Volunteers who exemplify the values of the Society.
Good Works Award for Member Contribution: Mary-Ellen Taylor and Julia Torresan-Mann
Good Works Award for Volunteer Services: John Neylan
Good Works Award for Collaborative Impact: Dennis Crimmins
Good Works Ward for Outstanding Vincentian Service: Patrick Yeo
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One of the highlights of the Good Works Summit was a spiritual reflection delivered by Sister Angela Uybarreta MGL based around the theme of ‘Together, We Are More’. We thank Sr Angela for allowing us to include an extract from her reflection.
How are we being called to live out “togetherness” in the true sense of the word? I suggest we begin by acknowledging the temptation for us to do it alone in our society. All of us tend to do things on our own, refusing to ask and receive help.
Just as the anthill is not built by one ant, but by the many, our Vincentian community is not formed by one person alone.
Each of us carries something: our gifts, our struggles, our faith, our stories. And when we bring them together, we build something greater than ourselves — a place of belonging, inclusion, and love. Our Vincentian identity is alive because every person is welcomed, valued, and included.
Like ants in a colony, we are called to serve one another selflessly, recognising that each small act of service contributes to the whole. Just as ants tirelessly work for the common good, sharing resources and responsibilities, we too are meant to be served and be served in mutual care, lifting each other up. By doing this we reflect a deeper connection, a bond of love and unity that transcends. It says to the world that service is not a burden but a blessing where both the giver and the receiver are strengthened as we share our commitment to each other.
To receive help and love though, we are called to humility — to live close to the ground, to stay grounded in Christ, and to look out for one another with care.
The ant teaches us about solidarity. One ant might falter under the weight of its burden. But when others come to help, the impossible becomes possible.
This is the wisdom of solidarity: the load becomes lighter when it is shared.
Participation compels us to intentionally step forward and say to the stranger struggling in front of us, “I will walk with you. I will help carry this burden.”
As Vincentians, we are not called to do great things alone, but to do ordinary things with great love — together.
And when we act in solidarity, our impact deepens. The crumb that one ant carries becomes a feast when the whole community contributes.
An ant does not learn its path in isolation. It learns by walking with others, by following the trail, by being part of the rhythm of the community.
In the same way, formation in our Vincentian calling is not a solo journey. We grow together — guided by mentors, strengthened by companions, and encouraged by community.
Our mistakes, our successes, even our struggles, become part of the shared journey. Together, we are formed into people of compassion, people of service, people of Christ.
For more resources and photos of the Good Works Summit, please visit mavs.vinnies.org.au/articles/the-good-works-summit-2025/
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