The St Vincent de Paul Society NSW has elected Peter Houweling as its new state council president for a four-year term, following the death of former president Paul Burton earlier this year.
Mr Houweling has been an active member of St John the Evangelist parish conference in Dapto since being posted to Wollongong as a primary teacher in the 1970s, where he raised his family, and later served as a school principal.
Over many years of service to the St Vincent de Paul Society, Mr Houweling has served in many leadership positions, including NSW vice president, Wollongong Central Council president, and Central Illawarra Regional Council president.
“I am honoured and grateful to have been elected as the new state council president and I look forward to serving and fostering a spirit of humility, simplicity and charity that is at the heart of our mission,” Mr Houweling said.
“The society’s unique strength to make a difference lies in the unwavering commitment and collaboration of our members, volunteers and employees.”
Mr Houweling believes that the Society’s future is in increasing its work in the community to help more people, building on the strength of collaboration that exists for members, volunteers and employees, supporting conference presidents and an increased focus on local parishes and youth engagement.
“Our focus must be on increasing the number of aggregated conferences, particularly special, social justice, and youth conferences, where younger members feel valued and can become our next generation of leaders,” Mr Houweling said.
St Vincent de Paul Society NSW board chair Richard Stewart welcomed Mr Houweling to the role.
“I look forward to working with Peter in his role as State Council President to deliver on the mission of the organisation to provide care to people experiencing disadvantage and poverty,” Mr Stewart said.
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St Vincent de Paul Society NSW Welcomes New State Council President (St Vincent de Paul Society NSW)
