Barnie van Wyk, Chief Executive Officer of the St Vincent de Paul Society Canberra/Goulburn, will leave Vinnies today, Friday 8 October, after almost five years at its helm.
His legacy, he believes, would be providing a sustainable and capable operational platform for the Society, and raising awareness of the harsh realities of homelessness through fundraising, advocacy, media, and partnerships with community.
Mr van Wyk said he was leaving the position because he needed rest and recovery after five very committed years to the Canberra community. He will continue to volunteer.
Deputy CEO Michelle Colefax has been appointed Acting CEO – the Society’s first female CEO – until a replacement is appointed.
Mr van Wyk joined Vinnies Canberra/Goulburn in February 2017 after managing international companies for more than 20 years.
“I have been involved with supporting vulnerable people all my life, as well as with organisations such as the membership and welfare arm of the Royal Australian Navy, and the National Disability Insurance Scheme,” Mr van Wyk said.
“Vinnies was not only a cultural fit but an opportunity to extend my personal values of helping others.”
His concern for social welfare came from his family. He remembers he and his brother were ushered from their room to make space for a family in need; driving with his father to collect furniture and food; and his mother cooking food to deliver to people in need.
A vocal champion of Vinnies’ person-centred approach in working with the most vulnerable and marginalised members of the community, Mr van Wyk ensured that care and compassion remained at the forefront of Vinnies’ work.
He established new services and programs to meet the growing needs of vulnerable Canberrans, including a program at Oaks Estate for people with psycho-social disabilities to access mainstream services and support; permanent homes and support services for 20 disadvantaged people at Axial Housing, with Catholic Care and the ACT Government; and a partnership with Amelie Housing to provide affordable rental housing.
The annual Vinnies CEO Sleepout was one of Mr van Wyk’s favourite events of the year. Always one to lead by example, he saw it as his duty and an opportunity to raise awareness of the harsh realities of homelessness.
He raised $107,000 over the last five Sleepout events, and his tireless promotion of the event made the ACT the highest fundraising income per capita state in the nation, at seven times the national average. This year, the Sleepout raised the highest amount in its history: a record-breaking $1 million.
Mr van Wyk said the commitment by government, Vinnies, the welfare sector, and the community to improve care for all vulnerable people and programs was inspiring, particularly considering the devastation of the bushfires and the COVID-19 outbreak.
In the years ahead, demand for services will increase, he believes. Sustained investment in community organisations will only be possible with partnerships between government, community organisations, donors, and philanthropists.
Housing must be adopted as a basic human right. Axial Housing’s ‘housing first’ pilot approach to end homelessness in the ACT had been successful. The next step, Mr van Wyk believes, is for the government to recognise adequate housing as a basic human right – which Vinnies had called for during last year’s election.
“Adopting housing as a basic human right will drive investment in all required supports and infrastructure requirements such as health, transport, education, energy, and ensuring equal access to justice,” Mr van Wyk said.
The community sector needed a strong focus on young adults.
“The impact of COVID on this generation will have flow-on effects in the future, and planning today to manage the impacts of tomorrow will reduce the consequences at all levels of government and community organisations,” Mr van Wyk said.
He praised the passion and commitment of Vinnies’ 2,300-strong workforce of members, volunteers, and employees.
“The Vinnies team spares no effort in ensuring that anyone who looks to us for help receives the very best care and support, whether they are assisted at Vinnies outreach services like Street to Home or Night Patrol, local Vinnies drop-in centres like Blue Door, or any of our Vinnies shops.”
