The feast day for Saint Vincent de Paul, after whom the charity is named, was celebrated with a special mass at St Joseph’s Catholic Church and morning tea and lunch for volunteers afterwards.

A slide show, documenting the recent history of the society in Orange and its projects overseas, including the assist-a-student program in Villa Maria, a Fijian village, was also played to commemorate the hard work and fundraising of society volunteers.

Around 150 volunteers carry out the work of the society in Orange, administered and managed by conferences in each parish and watched over by central council president Bob Lulham.

Mr Lulham said the society, which supports the poor and underprivileged, depended on the commitment of volunteers in Orange to reach those in need. 

“Put simply, without the volunteers, there would be no society. The important things the volunteers bring to their conference work is their life experience,” Mr Lulham said.

“Their compassion, their concern for others, and I think they find it a fulfilling role in the community.” 

The society began in Orange around the same time the city’s parish was created in 1864.

Father Paul Devitt, who works closely with the society in his parish of St Joseph’s and St Mary’s, said as the needs of the Orange community changed, the society changed with them.

“It’s basically the really practical side of Christianity. It’s the day-to-day, roll up your sleeves kind of work. The focus on poor and disadvantaged people changes with each generation, so the work of the society must change too,” Father Devitt said.

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