Reaching Out

On 17 November 2023, an additional Bethlehem House facility was officially opened in Harrington St on what had been the site of the Waratah hotel.

Bethlehem House is administered by the St Vincent de Paul Society – a Catholic charitable organisation dedicated to the service of the marginalized and disadvantaged.  It provides a significant increase in accommodation for homeless men in southern Tasmania. The initial site in Bathurst street was opened in 1972. (Pictured above)

The new site provides 50 new rooms which includes 24 crisis beds, 18 transitional units and 8 units specifically designed for people with mental illness.  The Federal and State Governments assisted with the $20 million dollar project.

Former student Nick Street (svc 1990-94), in his role as Minister for Housing & Construction in the Tasmanian Government, had the honour of ‘cutting the ribbon’ at the opening.

Bethlehem House remains part of retired diocesan priest Fr Graeme Ward’s ministry. He is a weekly visitor. Fr Graeme attended St Virgil’s as a boarder 1949-54 hailed from Zeehan and was inducted onto the St Virgil’s College Heritage Roll in 2012 in recognition of his services to the people of Tasmania.