Earlier this year, John Setz stepped into the role of Maitland-Newcastle Central Council President, serving a large territory, from Morisset to Taree and inland to Merriwa. As Central Council President, John represents Maitland-Newcastle on the NSW State Council.  

First and foremost, John’s leadership style is practical and committed to people’s dignity.   

“I’m big on the idea of a hand up, not just a handout,” John emphasised. “If someone is coming back to us month after month, we need to ask what’s happening behind the scenes and how we can support them to move forward.”  

John notes Conference assistance at critical junctures in life as particularly meaningful. When a younger person who was being assisted completed a security guard course, a hefty security licence fee appeared as an obstacle. “We covered that cost and he has been independent since,” John said.  

Another firsthand encounter demonstrating the impact members make was when a widow sought assistance amid grief and enormous financial complexity. The Conference’s referral to a financial counsellor and advocacy prevented the loss of the family home and enabled her to manage her debts. The Conference also provided emotional support amid the bereavement.  

John’s Vincentian journey is also the story of his family. His parents, Mark and Jenny, both served as Conference Presidents, and his father was known colloquially in Wingham as ‘the Vinnies Man’. Mark was always on call to deliver furniture or support families in need and his philosophy was ‘there but for the grace of God go I’.

“My parents were immigrants from Holland and service was part of our household culture. I grew up with that example.”   

The family history of service stretches back even further, with John’s maternal grandfather distinguishing himself in the Dutch labour movement and being made a papal knight. Dutch heritage and a teaching background are qualities John has in common with Peter Houweling, the NSW State Council President.  

As a former teacher with a strong family history in the Society, John knows how to build community and sustain service over the long term.  

Youth and families are among target cohorts for new members, and John is positive about growing engagement.   

“As one young mum said to me, ‘you’re asking the most time-poor people in the community to commit more time.’ That’s true but if we can make involvement practical and meaningful, people will come,” John said.  

The Maitland-Newcastle Central Council covers a wide geographical area with diverse services and John sees collaboration between members, volunteers and employees as essential.  

“We work pretty well together up here,” he said, pointing to connections with shop volunteers, Regional Presidents, and service managers.  

A priority is building stronger awareness of existing services, sites and operations, such as Vinnies Vans, Matt Talbot, ‘Return and Earn’ Container Deposit Scheme sites, and Distribution Centres.  

John knows the value of excursions, planning to take Central Council meetings out and about to see the breadth of the Society.   

“Most members of the Central Council have never visited Matt Talbot or the Cardiff services,” he explains. “So, we’ll go there as part of our meetings. Seeing it first-hand will be an eye-opener.”  

Demystifying member leadership is another priority for John. “People sometimes think leadership roles are onerous,” he said. “But at Conference or Regional level, it often comes down to forwarding emails and organising agendas.”  

John is also clear-eyed about the rebuilding ahead. “There’s work to do,” he admits. “But if we stay focused on making people’s lives better, and if we support each other as members, the future is bright.”