A community advocate has been appointed to lead St Vincent de Paul Society Tasmania as the charity confronts rising demand from Tasmanians struggling with cost-of-living pressures.
Connie Digolis started as chief executive this week, leaving her role at the Mental Health Council of Tasmania where she spent several years advocating for system reform.
State president Corey McGrath said Digolis would help the organisation respond to increasing hardship across the state.
“Connie’s leadership qualities and deep understanding of community need will serve our society well as we respond to increasing levels of hardship across Tasmania,” he said.
Digolis has extensive experience across community organisations and advocacy.
At the Mental Health Council, she worked with boards, staff and government to strengthen services and push for a people-first care system.
Her appointment comes as more Tasmanians seek help with housing insecurity, food stress, rising energy costs and other financial pressures.
Digolis said low-income households were being stretched further than before.
“What we are increasingly seeing is a growing number of people on lower incomes, and the extent to which those incomes are being stretched is making everyday life far more difficult,” she said.
She said a broader range of people were now struggling to cover weekly essentials.
“While many people aren’t in an ideal position right now, we also need to think about the impact this will have on the next generation and what it means for their future,” she said.
Digolis takes over from previous chief executive Heather Kent, who is now leading Palliative Care Tasmania.
