Over 130 of the ACT’s business and community leaders got a sample of the reality faced by over 1700 people in the ACT. Photo: Thomas Lucraft.
The Vinnies CEO Sleepout, designed to raise awareness and funds to tackle homelessness, was held on the longest night of the year – and it certainly felt that way.
But Region CEO Michael McGoogan said last night (22 June) was a sobering reminder that what was a carefully managed taste of a hard life for the 130 Canberra business and community leaders that took part was the nightly reality for hundreds sleeping rough in the nation’s capital.
“It was a relatively comfortable night all things considered. We were safe, sheltered, reasonably warm and feeling fairly proud to support such a wonderful cause,” he said.
“I’m extremely grateful that the -7 degrees of earlier this week wasn’t repeated and getting a little moist with the overnight rainfall was, I think, a much more comfortable alternative. But it did serve as a reminder that what for us was one night of mild discomfort can often be an everyday reality for any of the people Vinnies supports.”
Region CEO Michael McGoogan said there was an overwhelming sense of gratitude for the chance to help a worthy cause. Photos: Thomas Lucraft.
Canberra recorded its coldest low (-7.2ºC ) for June since 1986 on Wednesday (21 June). In comparison, last night, Canberra’s temperature hit a low of 0ºC as the participants ate soup and bread rolls for dinner and took their positions.
Some took part virtually, logging into a live stream as they slept on couches, in cars, in backyards and beyond, while more than 100 converged at the official Sleepout ACT ‘headquarters’ at the National Museum of Australia’s Garden of Australian Dreams.
These included Frank Lo Pilato (RSM Australia), Richard Faulks (Snedden Hall & Gallop), Laura Wood, Jonathan Statham, Emily Shoemark, Dominic Cookman (Snedden Hall & Gallop), Craig Green (Green Associates Financial Planners), and Janine Deakin and Dianne Gleeson (University of Canberra).
All hoped to raise a collective $800,000 to support the delivery of Vinnies’ specialist homelessness services and to provide emergency assistance with rent, food, medical and fuel bills to many at risk of homelessness.
Each committed to raising a minimum of $4000, while some were admitted to the ‘Power Napper Club’ for raising more than $12,000 and others made the cut for the ‘Deep Sleeper Club’ by raising upwards of $20,000.
The top three fundraisers of the night were Scouts Australia NSW Branch Chief Commissioner Neville Tomkins, Chief Justice of the ACT Supreme Court Lucy McCallum and Canberra Toyota Dealer Principal Mirko Milic.
Michael said aside from fundraising and awareness, there were other upsides to the event.
“The beautiful thing was being able to spend an evening with so many community-minded people,” he said.
“It restores some faith in humanity that Canberra’s business and community leaders are prepared to engage in this way, to support such a worthy cause.”
Right there along with the other participants was Vinnies Canberra/Goulburn CEO Lucy Hohnen, who thanked the generosity and solidarity of the participants, community, NMA and sponsors for helping to raise the much-needed funds.
“There is a real crisis out there and we need each dollar raised to help those experiencing the toughest of times,” she said.
“On top of the people we have always supported, we are now supporting a new cohort, those with jobs and, in some cases, mortgages who simply can’t make ends meet. We are seeing a steep upward trajectory in the number of people coming to Vinnies for help.”
Australian Bureau of Statistics figures show the ACT’s homeless population in 2021 reached 1777. In light of a cost-of-living crisis, many more have slipped over the poverty line and face housing vulnerability.
It highlighted that the work of organisations such as Vinnies in this space was more important than ever, according to Michael.
“I would certainly like to recognise the great work that the nearly 1500 volunteers, 240 Canberra staff and all the fellow CEOs that supported raising $800,000 for Vinnies last night were able to contribute,” Michael said.
“It reflects the overwhelming generous and warm heart of the Canberra community.
“I’d also like to give a huge shout-out to Phillip Jones and Elushka Scheumann from Vinnies who helped coordinate the evening but then stayed up all night to do regular checks, keep the drinks warm and have a chat whenever anyone needed anything. They and the team that facilitated the evening did a great job.
“I will absolutely be back next year to support this wonderful cause.”
At the time of publication, the 130 participants had raised north of $790,000 of their $800,000 target. To help them hit their goal in aid of Canberrans in need, visit Vinnies CEO Sleepout ACT.
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