As CEO of St Vincent de Paul Society Tasmania, Heather leads Vinnies’ services to the community, focusing on helping those at risk of homelessness and impacted by the housing and cost-of-living crisis.

Where did you grow up and where do you live now? On Hobart’s eastern shore – I now live just up the hill, where I used to build forts in the bush as a child. I love the peace and views.

Vinnies recently launched Amelie House in Hobart to assist women experiencing or at risk of homelessness. What significance does this opening have for you? Vinnies is part of an ecosystem trying to address the housing crisis. We’ve delivered relief across Tassie for 125 years, and operated Bethlehem House for 50 of those, but more is needed. Amelie House is a collaboration between government, the for-purpose sector, businesses and private philanthropy, led by Vinnies. It’s the result of different groups coming together to provide transitional accommodation – making use of a building that would otherwise be vacant and tapping into support offered by several other organisations. It’s an encouraging start, but so much more needs to be done.

What can you tell us about the upcoming 38-unit accommodation project on Argyle Street? We start repurposing our Argyle Street site in April as an endeavour to do more. When completed in around 18 months, the site will provide social housing to women over 55 years adjacent to an array of services, offering dignity, safety and privacy through a design that also provides a supportive community for residents. It’s an exciting project, making far better use of an ideal location for a demographic that’s sadly growing rapidly.

With the rising cost of living in Tasmania, has there been an increase in demand? To be honest, this keeps me awake at night. Our services provide the basics that help people keep going – often it’s the difference between turning on the lights or heating, or just placing food on the table. Since joining Vinnies a few years ago, the number and depth of requests for support across Tassie have consistently grown – this outstrips our funding. We rely on the community to help, but we know this is a hard ask when many are already doing it tough. We’ve continued to gain an enormous amount of support, especially from schools, community groups and businesses – that support enables us to keep going, helping others.

As we approach winter, what are the most critical needs from those you support? How can our readers help out? It’s the basics needed by those doing it tough that we gratefully receive from our community – donations of food and homewares (furnishings, blankets, etc) help us to support others. But, to be frank, it’s the financial donations that really help us make a difference. These go directly toward helping people make ends meet – whether it’s assistance paying the bills, vouchers for food, help with medical costs – that’s where donations into our campaigns such as the CEO Sleepout and Winter Appeal really make a difference.

What has been one of the most fulfilling aspects of your role as CEO? We hear about homelessness and the cost of living crisis constantly, sometimes it feels like we’re getting nowhere fast. But seeing the human face of this and how the support provided by Vinnies makes a difference each day is absolutely the most rewarding part.

Who do you admire? People that have mastered the art of stillness and just ‟being’’. That’s such a skill and I’m working on it.

Favourite podcast or tv show? Ted Lasso – bring on season four!

Secret vice? Too many plastic containers – everyone has a Tupperware cupboard don’t they?

What are you reading now? Rereading Bruny by Heather Rose, it feels topical.

Do you have any pets? Two doggoes – Ralphie and Gracie. They have me well-trained.

What was your first job? Working as a casual in the cafe at Fitzies. I still make a damned fine toastie!

What are your daily news/social media habits? Updates on Pulse throughout the day.

Your favourite place for…

Breakfast: Manu in Invermay.

Lunch: Kinoko Deli for Mapo Tofu.

Dinner: Bar Wa Izakaya.

Dream holiday destination? I’m looking forward to travelling throughout Japan with my partner very soon.

Favourite Tasmanian secret? Camping and starry skies – anywhere in Tassie, any time of year.

Parting words? Each of us has something we can bring to our community, large or small. Together we can make a difference.