Australia

Dr John Falzon’s contribution to social work has been recognised with a nomination for the Human Rights Medal for being a passionate advocate of social justice and equality as CEO of the St. VIncent de Paul Society Australia.

The program launched on Wednesday, August 27th, 2014 is significant for several reasons. First, the offering of a leadership program within the Vincentian tradition and in partnership with a member of the Vincentian family based on the other side of the world, and secondly, the program was being launched in the year that the Society is marking 160 years of leadership and service in Australia.

When she died in 2010 Australia took note of another amazing Daughter of Charity – Bridget Harley. The Spirit led her to join the Daughters of Charity in Sydney in 1943. In 1966 she responded to what would be her life-time commitment to educate disadvantaged children took her to Ethiopia where she spent thirty-eight years. By the time Sister Bridget left Ethiopia in 2005, aged 86, she had set up more than 150 early childhood development centres.

It started out many years ago as an initiative of the Vincent DePaul Society in one region of Australia. It became an annual events for all of Australia. Now it is moving to the United Kingdom – CEO’s sleeping out to raise awareness of the plight of those who are homeless