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Canberra Today 25°/29° | Friday, March 29, 2024 | Digital Edition | Crossword & Sudoku

CEO Sleepout moves to centre stage

THE Vinnies CEO Sleepout is now accepting registrations from chief executives, directors, general managers and any other bosses who are willing to spend a cold night in June without a roof over their heads.

Participants line up outside the National Gallery for the 2012 CEO Sleepout. This year's event is in Civic Square. Photo: St Vincent de Paul Canberra/Goulburn.
Participants line up outside the National Gallery for the 2012 CEO Sleepout. This year’s event is in Civic Square. Photo: St Vincent de Paul Canberra/Goulburn.
The CEO Sleepout takes place in all capital cities on June 20, and raises awareness of the fact that many Australians do not have long term housing, by challenging those in positions of authority to sleep rough for one night in winter.

This year, Canberra’s event will take place in Civic Square, outside the ACT Legislative Assembly, a venue that organisers say is “more realistic” than last year’s location outside the National Gallery of Australia.

Through sponsorship, the events raise money for the St Vincent de Paul Society to continue supporting homeless people. Last year, the Canberra leg nearly raised half a million dollars, a figure the local Vinnies branch hopes to top this time around.

The new CEO of Canberra CBD Limited, Jane Easthope, will be out in the cold this year along with University of Canberra vice-chancellor Stephen Parker, Canberra Museum and Gallery director Shane Breynard, the National Film and Sound Archive’s CEO, Michael Loebenstein, and many other bosses from private and public sector organisations.

According to the 2011 Census, each night there are 105,000 Australians without a secure place to sleep, and about 40 per cent of them are aged under 25.

Paul Trezise, CEO of St Vincent de Paul Canberra and Goulburn, says 1785 of those were in the ACT, the second highest rate out of all the states and territories.

“Our local community, despite its affluence, is not immune to homelessness,” Mr Treszise says.

“This year we are hoping to raise over $500,000 to help provide support to those who are homeless or at risk of homelessness in our community. It is an ambitious target but one I think we can meet with the help of our generous CEOs and the community’s support.”

To register for the 2013 CEO Sleepout or to donate, go to ceosleepout.org.au.

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