It was a delight to have a cast of St Vincent de Paul Society NSW leaders, members and local leaders gather at the new Wollongong Central Council Support Office on Thursday 3 April for the blessing and opening of the wonderfully refurbished site in Warrawong.  

The Society was honoured to have local dignitaries join the event, including Traditional Custodian Aunty Sharralyn Robinson, a Dharawal Elder, Alison Byrnes MP, Federal Member for Cunningham, Tania Brown, Lord Mayor of Wollongong, Chris Homer, Mayor of Shellharbour, and Fr Damien Ellis, Parish Priest of St Francis of Assisi Warrawong. 

Aunty Sharralyn Robinson, welcomed everyone present to Dharawal Country and unveiled a beautiful plaque with text acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the Land accompanied by First Nations art. 

A large candle was lit for the blessing, wrapped in Vinnies Blue and emblazoned with the Society’s logo of the Three Hands – the Hand of Christ, the Hand of Love and the Hand of Suffering. Fr Damien led prayers for the success of the Society’s mission, the people we assist and the flourishing of Vincentian spirituality.  

Leonie Duck, Mission, Spirituality & Pastoral Care Partner – South, and Fr Damien blessed the contemporary office space with holy water, which features open desks, large monitors, and space designed to facilitate collaboration between members, volunteers and employees in the Wollongong Central Council region. 

The Wollongong Central Council - stretching from Campbelltown to the Shoalhaven - has supported more than 11,000 people this financial year, including one in four who are seeking assistance for the first time. 

The refurbished offices will further support the 400-strong membership in the region to continue accompanying people we assist in the Society’s vital Conference works, services and programs.