South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas is among almost 130 leaders preparing to take part in the 2025 Vinnies CEO Sleepout at Adelaide Zoo tonight. (Thursday 19 June).
The Vinnies CEO Sleepout takes place across Australia each year and raises millions of dollars to support Vinnies services for people experiencing or at risk of experiencing homelessness.
The South Australian event is aiming to raise $900,000 to support local services including Vinnies SA’s Women’s Crisis Centre, Men’s Crisis Centre and Fred’s Van food service.
It is the third time it has taken place at the Zoo - the first in 2010 and then again in 2011 - which will expose new and returning participants to a unique combination of sounds, smells and zoo animals.
Vinnies SA CEO Evelyn O’Loughlin said the level of participation was the highest in some years, with a large number of South Aussie leaders recognizing the impact the cost of living and housing crisis was having on thousands of vulnerable South Australians.
“There is no question that life is getting harder and harder for many in our community, and that makes this year’s event more important than ever,” said Ms O’Loughlin.
“We’re really encouraged this year by the large number of compassionate, community-centred leaders who have recognized this and are taking action by participating in the Vinnies CEO Sleepout.
“The money they raise will support our Vinnies safety net of services for thousands of men, women and children in South Australia – helping to catch people who otherwise could fall through the cracks.
“While our participants do spend hours sleeping outside on the ground on cardboard, the purpose of the CEO Sleepout isn’t to replicate homelessness, because we know we can’t do that.
“What we are trying to do is to raise awareness, to increase compassion and to start conversations about homelessness.
“With so many leaders in the one place, having a shared experience, the CEO Sleepout provides a unique opportunity to channel all of that combined influence into powerful action.”
Zoos SA CEO Dr Phil Ainsley, who is taking part in the Sleepout himself, said he was excited to see so many South Australian leaders stepping up in support of disadvantaged South Australians.
“Zoos SA knows the importance of a safe and secure home and as one of the state’s oldest conservation charities we are dedicated to creating sustainable, more equitable futures for vulnerable communities – both human and environmental,” he said.
“We’re really proud to team up with Vinnies and provide Adelaide Zoo as this year’s venue for the Sleepout, and the Zoos SA team is honoured to be showing our commitment to such an important cause.”
If you’d like to donate to the CEO Sleepout, or sign up to participate, find out how here. Donations can be made until 31 July.
Media contacts:
Nicole Pilkington, PR Manager, Zoos SA: 0408 929 347 or npilkington@zoossa.com.au
Grant Smyth, Communications Manager, Vinnies SA: 0419 940 721 or gsmyth@svdpsa.org.au
About the St Vincent de Paul Society
The St Vincent de Paul Society has been an integral part of the South Australian community for more than 140 years, since 1884. Providing assistance throughout metropolitan and regional SA, Vinnies is committed to assisting people experiencing disadvantage with a hand up through a focus on food, clothing, shelter and capacity building.
Services include:
- Vinnies Assistance Visit program which supports approximately 60,000 South Australians each year with food, clothing, furniture and emergency financial assistance.
- Vinnies Men’s Crisis Centre, accommodating 500 men each year
- Vinnies Women’s Crisis Centre, accommodating on average more than 1,000 women and children and 150 pets each year
- Vinnies Refugee & Asylum Seeker Service
- Fred’s Van meal service – serving 40,000 meals across 10 locations in SA
About Zoos SA
Zoos SA is a not for profit conservation charity that exists to connect people with nature and save species from extinction.
Since 1878, Zoos SA has long been established as a treasured part of the community, representing a significant part of South Australia’s heritage and is one of the state’s oldest conservation organisations.
Zoos SA operates Adelaide Zoo and Monarto Safari Park; each is a unique blend of conservation and zoological activities that encourage science-based conservation work, public recreation, education, and tourism. Together they house a wide variety of spectacular wildlife in internationally renowned exhibits.
Adelaide Zoo is home to more than 2.500 animals and 250 species of exotic and native mammals, birds, reptiles and fish exhibited over eight hectares of magnificent botanic surroundings. It is the second oldest zoo in the nation, having first opened to the public in 1883, and is the only major metropolitan zoo to be owned and operated by a conservation charity. Adelaide Zoo is a relaxing green city oasis and vibrant sanctuary that gives you the feeling of stepping into another world. It’s full of diversity, colour and unique things to see and do.
