To say Don Hewitt was much loved can only be an understatement. Don was a pillar of our community. He joined the Society in 1966, a 27-year-old man seeking a means of living out his faith. 

“I’m not much good at prayer, but I’m pretty good at action,” Don once said.  

With over fifty-eight years of service, he was celebrated as a Life Member of the St Vincent de Paul Society, a testament to his enduring legacy of faith in action.  

In recognition of his lifetime of community work, in 2021, Don was awarded the Papal Medal, Pro Ecclesia Et Pontifice, ‘for the Church and the Pope’, and the Order of Australia Medal (OAM) in 2022.  

Don was also 2017 Armidale Senior Citizen of the Year and was nominated for the 2021 NSW Senior Citizen of the Year. 

Among Don’s greatest achievements during his time with the Society was helping to establish Freeman House in Armidale, a service designed to support regional people experiencing addiction. 

Today, Freeman House performs a vital role as the largest residential rehabilitation service in northern NSW and is a cornerstone of Don’s legacy.  

As the Society’s Regional Council President, he obtained millions of dollars in funding to build or renovate 23 centres across the Armidale Diocese that continue to provide thousands of people with household goods, food, finance, counselling services, contact and rehabilitation. 

Don served as Armidale Diocesan President, as Vice-President, Armidale Regional Council President, a founding member of St Augustine's Conference Armidale, a Special Works Conference, in 1979, and President - St Joseph’s Conference Armidale, among his many other roles. 

In the late 1950s, Don met his bride Barbara at a Young Christian Workers social occasion, who also became a member of the Society for many years. 

Don and Barabra married at St Mary and St Joseph Cathedral Armidale, raising six children while Don worked as a scientist and manager at the University of New England. Don and Barabara celebrated their Diamond Anniversary in 2021.  

Prayers for the repose of Don’s soul, including a Rosary and Requiem Mass were held at the De La Salle College Chapel in Armidale, on 30 September, where mourners were asked for donations to the St Vincent de Paul Society, in lieu of flowers. 

We ask you to keep Barbara and the family in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. 

Don is profoundly missed by all who knew him. We invite you to join us in praying for the repose of his soul. May he rest in peace.