September 27th is the Feast Day of St Vincent de Paul — a French priest who ministered in the mid-1600s, and in 1883 was designated as the special patron of all charitable associations.
‘Deal with the most urgent needs. Organise charity so that it is more efficient…teach reading and writing, educate with the aim of giving each the means of self-support. Intervene with authorities to obtain reforms in structure… there is no charity without justice.’
St Vincent de Paul
Today is also the Daniel Andrews’ last day as Premier of Victoria — and as St Vincent de Paul advised us, Catholic Social Services Victoria has worked to organise and advocate for a more just and compassionate society, and consistently inform the Andrews’ Government on a range of issues and work proactively for positive systemic reform.
Over Daniel Andrews’ time in leadership, we have seen hard realities further uncovered by a number of Royal Commissions and resulting reform in the social services, from Domestic and Family Violence systems reform to the more recent Mental Health Royal Commission. We have seen the failing Victorian housing market culminate in a housing crisis, and also seen the biggest spend on social housing by the Victorian Government in years under Daniel Andrew’s leadership.
There has been substantial and ground breaking positive work during his leadership on truth-telling via the Yoorrook Justice Commission and Treaty — building on CSSV life member Vicki Clark’s previous work as a member of the Aboriginal Treaty Working Group. These processes are essential as we together reckon as a state with our colonial past and the promise of a more just and reconciled future.
Our State has seen some very hard years, but we have also seen substantial attention and material commitment to those on the margins. These are legacies that Daniel Andrews can be proud of.
We thank Daniel Andrews for his efforts in standing with and serving the poor and in building a more just and compassionate society. We wish him all the best in this next phase of his life and work.
Catholic Social Services Victoria remains committed to building a more just and compassionate society, and working with the new Premier of our State — and we will continue to be inspired by the words of the patron saint of our sector, remembering: there is no charity without justice.
Join our mailing list
Keep up to date with latest news, information and upcoming events.
We respect your privacy, as outlined in our privacy policy.