What’s Happening?
St Vincent de Paul Society Queensland is marking National Volunteer Week from Monday, 18 to Sunday 24 May 2026.
The Society is celebrating the real impact volunteering can have on people and communities.
It is sharing stories from across the state, including Gladstone resident Peter Dougherty.
Peter has dedicated nearly 30 years to supporting locals experiencing homelessness and hardship through Vinnies.
This year’s theme, Your Year to Volunteer, honours current volunteers and invites more Australians to get involved.
It also highlights how giving time can create connection, purpose and lasting community benefits.
Peter has spent countless hours helping people through some of their hardest moments.
That support has included locals needing a small amount of financial help to get through the week.
It has also included people experiencing long-term homelessness and severe hardship.
“If you want to be a Member of St Vincent de Paul, you have to be both resilient and compassionate,” Mr Dougherty said.
“Our Members come from all kinds of backgrounds and walks of life, but all of us have one thing in common – when someone asks for help, we’re all willing to sit and listen.
“Many of the people we see don’t have other places to go, but when they walk through the doors of our support centre, they’re immediately the most important person in the room.”
Why It Matters
Peter’s story shows how compassion, resilience and listening can make a real difference.
For many people seeking help, Vinnies can be one of the few places where they feel heard.
The work is especially important during Queensland’s ongoing housing and cost-of-living pressures.
Peter said the role is not always easy, but it remains meaningful.
“It’s not always easy – but it’s never not rewarding,” he said.
“Even after 30 years, every day feels like you’ve achieved something special.”
By The Numbers
- 2,689 Members and 5,051 volunteers support St Vincent de Paul Society Queensland’s mission of giving vulnerable people a hand up.
- More than 250 Society Members serve Central Queensland communities, from Longreach to Mackay and down to Bundaberg.
- Nearly 600 volunteers work in Vinnies Shops across Central Queensland, where donated goods help fund local support work.
Local Impact
Across Central Queensland, volunteers help turn community care into practical support.
Peter is one of many Society Members giving time to people facing hardship.
In Vinnies Shops, retail volunteers also support the wider mission through donated goods and store sales.
That work helps fund services for people who need support close to home.
Zoom In
Peter’s nearly 30 years of service bring the local story to life.
As a Member of St Vincent de Paul Society, also known as a Vincentian, he has supported people facing different levels of need.
Some need urgent help for the week.
Others are dealing with long-term homelessness, severe hardship or limited places to turn.
For Peter, listening is central to the work.
It helps people feel seen at a time when life can feel overwhelming.
Zoom Out
In 2026, volunteering is also being recognised through the United Nations International Year of Volunteers.
That global focus reinforces the importance of volunteers in society.
It comes at a time when national data shows formal volunteering has declined in recent years.
National Volunteer Week gives communities a chance to thank existing volunteers.
It also invites more people to consider how their time could help others.
St Vincent de Paul Society Queensland State President Trish McMahon said the week was a time to recognise that service.
“Our Members and Volunteers give something incredibly precious – their time,” she said.
“Whether it’s a few hours a week or many years of service, that generosity makes a real difference to people experiencing hardship and we are deeply grateful for the compassion, respect and love our volunteers show our Companions every day.”
What To Look For Next?
National Volunteer Week will run from Monday, 18 to Sunday, 24 May 2026.
Vinnies Queensland is encouraging people to learn more about general and retail volunteering opportunities during the week.
