The Bairnsdale Conference of St Vincent de Paul (Vinnies) has officially marked a momentous milestone, celebrating 60 years of dedicated service to the East Gippsland community.
Established on June 28, 1966, the organisation has grown from a small group of passionate volunteers into a vital local institution, providing emergency housing, financial aid, and personal care to individuals and families across
the region.
Bairnsdale Conference president Paul Heaton-Harris said the organisation is incredibly proud to reach six decades of local support.
“I want to thank our members, past and present, whose generosity and commitment have touched so many lives across East Gippsland throughout the years,” Mr Heaton-Harris said.
In a region where geographical isolation can heavily compound hardship, the Vinnies team has steadily expanded its footprint over the decades. The conference has established successful outreach services in Lakes Entrance and Orbost, and routinely extends assistance as far east as Mallacoota.
“In a region as large as ours, distance can be a real barrier,” Mr Heaton-Harris said.
“That is why our outreach matters so much — ensuring even our most remote communities know they are not on their own.”
Vinnies’ capacity to adapt was tested heavily during the 2019–2020 Black Summer bushfires. As local towns were devastated and cut off, Bairnsdale became a critical relief hub, with volunteers providing immediate emergency support, practical assistance and vital human connection.
That same responsiveness continues today as the conference works tirelessly to address the rising modern regional challenges of homelessness, mental health struggles and domestic violence.
For Albert Pruscino, a Bairnsdale Conference volunteer for 20 years, the work is about what is possible when a community leads by example.
“By our good example, we hope more people come to us,” Mr Pruscino said.
New generations are already continuing that legacy, with additional conferences currently being established across the region to ensure the spirit of Vinnies takes deeper root.
Reflecting this ongoing evolution, the Vinnies Bairnsdale Assistance Centre continues to adapt its practical care, offering a dedicated outreach service in Orbost every Thursday from 10am to 2pm.
Focusing on a “hand up” rather than just a “hand out”, the service provides support for educational expenses, emergency accommodation, shelter kits, car registration, medical prescriptions, food, and utility bills, alongside crucial advocacy and referrals.
The outreach service operates weekly from the Orbost Library, moving to Orbost Regional Health on the second Thursday of every month.
“We are extremely grateful to the staff of the Neighbourhood House and Orbost Regional Health Service for their ongoing support,” Mr Heaton-Harris said.
To book an appointment for the Orbost outreach, residents can phone the Neighbourhood House reception.
