Dear Members and Volunteers of St Vincent de Paul Society NSW, 
 
It is with sorrow that we share with you the below Statement from the Society’s National President Mark Gaetani on the attack Sunday evening at Bondi. 
 
Our hearts are with all of those impacted and in particular the friends and families who have lost loved ones. 
 
Pastoral care can be especially important during times like this. If you would like to speak with someone, our Mission Team is available to support you. Corrine Lindsell and Leo Tucker are contactable via mission@vinnies.org.au. 
 
Society Members also have access to the Society’s free and confidential Employee Assistance Program through Converge International, available 24/7 via: 1300 687 327
 
Additional free community support services include:
•    Lifeline: 13 11 14
•    Beyond Blue: 1300 224 636
 
Please don’t hesitate to check in on fellow Vincentians, or to step back and seek support if you need it. Our mission is grounded in compassion, dignity and care. This includes care for ourselves and each other.
 
We keep all those affected in our prayers. 
 
Yours faithfully,
 
Peter Houwelling, St Vincent de Paul NSW State Council President and
Leo Tucker, Executive Director Mission & Spirituality

STATEMENT
 

Monday 15 December 2025
 

St Vincent de Paul Society statement in response to Bondi Beach attack

I write with a sorrowful heart on behalf of the 45,000 Members and volunteers of the St Vincent de Paul Society in Australia to express our sorrow that such a horrendous crime could take place in our country. 

Today our prayers and thoughts are with the victims of the Bondi shooting, their loved ones and communities, our first responders, those brave citizens who stepped in to protect others and all those affected by the terror that unfolded last night. 
I want to stand in solidarity alongside all people of good will to send a very strong, clear and loud message to our Jewish friends and fellow citizens that you are part of us. You have always been and will continue to be welcome across all our local communities.  Like every Australian, every Jewish person is a valuable member of our Australian community. 

We pray for our leaders and for our country. Our trust is with them to comfort those who mourn and to address the evilness that has crept in and hides within our community, seeking to divide us. In times of such deep sorrow, we are reminded of our shared humanity, the power of compassion and the need to care kindly for one another. 

May God’s healing presence bring comfort to all who are grieving and peace to our communities.

By Mark Gaetani, National President, St Vincent de Paul Society National Council of Australia