An official soil-turning ceremony on August 14 marked the beginning stages of a new homeless shelter in the city that will not only provide overnight accommodation for up to ten chronically homeless men and couples but will ensure the name of St Vincent De Paul Society’s longest serving volunteer will be remembered for many years to come.
Attending the launch of Tom Fisher House, alongside Premier Colin Barnett and St Vincent De Paul Society CEO, Mark Fitzpatrick, was the 93-year-old Tom Fisher who has served the organisation over the past 52 years.
“It is fitting that Tom Fisher should be giving his name to this shelter”, the Premier announced during the ceremony.
“Because it will continue offering the same compassion, support and hope he has offered to so many during his time with the charity.”
The initiative is a collaborative partnership between the State Government and the St Vincent De Paul Society, the fruit of a meeting between the Premier and the Heads of Churches in 2010.
The Department for Housing has provided $4 million for the purchase of land and capital works and the Department for Child Protection and Family Support will contribute $1.4million for running costs over the first three years.
Mr Fitzpatrick said the St Vincent De Paul Society would provide for the day to day operations of the shelter and would work in collaboration with other service providers to offer a safe haven to the community’s most vulnerable citizens.
“It will be staffed by a multidisciplinary team with health, mental health and drug and alcohol skills to assist visitors and support their move away from the cycle of homelessness,” he said.
During the ceremony Mr Barnett also acknowledged the role of Archbishop Emeritus Barry Hickey for his involvement in the project.
“I would like to particularly acknowledge the then Archbishop Barry Hickey who worked with St Vincent de Paul Society and the State Government to pursue this proposal,” he said.
Mr Fisher’s journey of service to others began during his days as a young sailor during World War Two, when his ship docked in Malta.
Witnessing the gratitude of an impoverished family when a group of sailors gathered together supplies and presented them to him, the seed for a lifetime of reaching out to others was born.
After surviving the war, including a torpedo attack on HMAS Hobart that killed many of his friends, Mr Fisher returned to Osborne Park, married his wife Shirley and began raising five children.
His passion to assist others was then enflamed by a call from the local Catholic priest asking for volunteers for the St Vincent de Paul Society and he has since served in roles ranging from making beds and breakfasts to becoming State President.
Mr Fisher’s motivation is simple, but it has been a driving force for over five decades.
“Helping is something you do and the homeless have been at the forefront of my thinking for so long”, he said.
“I feel I have been given many good things in life, so why not share it?”