ABC Commissioner Leigh Johns will tonight join more than 170 Victorian CEOs, community and business leaders sleeping rough for the 2011 Vinnies CEO Sleepout.
With a cardboard sheet and a warm mug of soup, ABC Commissioner Johns will sleep in the expected 5 degree temperature outside at Etihad Stadium in Melbourne tonight. The Vinnies CEO Sleepout supports the St Vincent de Paul Society’s homelessness services.
“The Australian building and construction industry is responsible for building some of the most impressive residential accommodation in the world,” ABC Commissioner Johns said.
“Just as importantly, the industry is also responsible for creating affordable rental accommodation through organisations such as Common Ground, for those at risk of homelessness.
“And so, in addition to raising funds for much-needed support of our homeless, this event is about raising awareness.
“Whether that person sleeps rough on the street every night, or has unsafe or temporary shelter, organisations such as Vinnies are out there on the ground to provide care and support where it is needed most.
“But not everyone has access to accommodation and more than 100,000 of our fellow Australians experience some degree of homelessness, 34,000 of these are children.
“This event allows those of us in leadership roles within our organisations to gain an insight into hardships regularly faced by the homeless.
“The level of care that Vinnies can provide is linked to the support they receive from the community, so I am pleased to help raise funds and awareness and support Vinnies in their efforts to combat homelessness.”
The Vinnies CEO Sleepout commenced in Sydney during 2006, launching nationally in 2010.
Last year the event raised $2.9 million for the St. Vincent De Paul Society. The 2011 event is on track to reach or exceed that figure, with 1008 CEOs raising $2,930,222 nationally so far.
“You can either sponsor a CEO of your choosing or make a donation to support the cause. I encourage everyone to visit the CEO Sleepout Website to help homeless people in Australia this winter,” ABC Commissioner Johns concluded.
ABC Commissioner Johns joins other workplace relations portfolio leaders including Fair Work Ombudsman Nicholas Wilson, General Manager of Fair Work Australia Tim Lee and DEEWR State Manager Natalie James.
Commissioner Johns’ sponsorship page can be found here, or donations can be made via ceosleepout.org.au.