Update from Society CEO Yolanda Saiz, February 2026. 

It’s been an impactful start to 2026, with key achievements and engagements for the Society outlines below. One major highlight included the Society and One Education Foundation joining forces to support underprivileged communities in Sydney’s west by providing access to essential digital technology. Through a dedicated donation program, specially designed laptops were distributed at the Support Centre in Harris Park, helping local residents access education, training, and employment opportunities. One Education Foundation has generously donated 50 refurbished Infinity laptops. This partnership will give the opportunity for the recipients to thrive in the classroom, and through this donation ensure students we assist won’t be starting the new school year at a disadvantage. Laptops, often out of reach for those facing financial hardship, have become a powerful tool in helping people rebuild their lives. Read more about our tech collaboration for students here. 

Key Achievements to February 2026

• The Vinnies Vans continue to exceed targets, with an additional 30,433 people served during the July-December 2025 period compared to the previous six months.
• The Christmas Appeal was a great success with the national digital fundraising generating $1 million, making it the highest digital fundraising amount in Vinnies Christmas Appeal history.
• The Supported Open Employment Program has established a partnership with Vinnies Retail to launch the Retail@Vinnies Program, enabling supported work experience for people living with disabilities in our shops. 
• Two new shops have opened – in Terrigal and South Nowra - in late December/ early January.

Key Engagements 

• 14 Feb 2026 - the Society hosted the launch of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference Social Justice Statement by the Justice and Peace Office of the Archdiocese of Sydney at Lewisham. This latest statement is focused on the key issues of rising cost of living and housing. Read the full Statement here.
• 3 Feb 2026 - CEO Yolanda Saiz met with the Reserve Bank to discuss how members and employees are responding to the needs of the community across the full range of services delivered. The RBA also showed strong interest in the rising costs to the Society of sustaining these services.
• Dec 2025 - the Society participated in the public hearing of the Joint Select Committee on the NSW Reconstruction Authority, providing evidence on disaster recovery and resilience issues shaped by the May 2025 severe weather events.
• The Government Relations and Policy team continue to support member advocacy through a coordinated Raise the Rate campaign, providing strategic guidance and messaging to Conferences.

Other Updates

• A First Nations Strategy and Outcomes Unit has been established reporting to the CEO, and with the Director joining the Executive Leadership Team. The Unit brings together three existing First Nations strategy and engagement roles and will be led by Jake Robertson (previously State Manager, First Nations Strategy and Outcomes).
• Throughout December 2025, Vinnies NSW delivered disaster recovery support to people affected by the Central Coast bushfires in the Koolewong area. As part of the Society’s response, 34 households were approved for financial assistance totalling $16,900, with the support of the NSW Reconstruction Authority and the local team raised a further $100,000 and counting to support those impacted even more.
• The Mission team have been invited by the Disaster Recovery Chaplaincies Network to attend a two-day training session in Westmead at the end of February and join the Chaplaincies network.
• The Society of NSW lodged a pre-Budget submission to the NSW Government, outlining priority issues and opportunities aligned with our frontline service experience and policy objectives, and reinforcing our ongoing engagement with Government ahead of the State Budget.
• The Society of NSW partnered with St Vincent de Paul Society Queensland, in conjunction with the National Council, to lodge a joint submission to the Federal Inquiry into the health impacts of alcohol and other drugs (AOD). This collaboration reflects a coordinated, national approach to policy advocacy, grounded in shared frontline experience.
• AI for Impact - we have continued to collaborate with Not-for-Profit peers across the social sector to share knowledge and experience in adopting AI Technology.