Business and community leaders to endure cold night for Vinnies

Vinnies CEO Sleepout is a physical and emotional challenge that gives participants a brief but confronting first-hand understanding of what Tasmanians experiencing homelessness and poverty go through on a daily basis.

This year there are CEO Sleepouts happening simultaneously in Tasmania – one at UTAS Stadium in Launceston and another at MyState Bank Arena in Hobart, both from 6pm to 6am.  A crew from the Tasman Council will also be sleeping rough outside the Chambers in Nubeena overnight too

Queen Victoria Care Acting CEO Carmen Rocchia said she is participating this year to show solidarity with those experiencing homelessness.   

“I saw that Jack Jumpers CEO Christine Finnegan was involved, along with my friend Alison Flakemore and thought it was time to put my hand up too, along with two of my colleagues,” Carmen said. 

“As a not-for-profit, community is at the heart of Queen Victoria Care’s purpose, we believe in giving back through action. Supporting initiatives like this allows us, as individuals, to raise awareness and funds through our own networks and to engage in meaningful conversations about the experience of homelessness in Tasmania. 

“While I sleep out, my husband and two children will be safe and warm at home, a comfort too many Tasmanians are going without this winter. As we face global issues of uncertainty, conflict and rising hardship, I’ll be reflecting on what it means to experience vulnerability here in our own state, during a cost-of-living crisis that is pushing more people into experiencing homelessness. 

“One night in the cold can’t compare to a living day to day without a home, but it’s a small step toward building understanding and empathy, while encouraging others to take action too. That’s why the work of the St Vincent de Paul Society is more vital than ever. 

“My colleagues and I have been quite competitive between each other as to who raises the most money for the CEO Sleepout, which has been an enjoyable part of the fundraising and seen a lot of banter between us!”

“The CEO Sleepout is an excellent opportunity for the whole community to come together to support those who are most in need in our society, either by participating in or donating to the 2025 CEO Sleepout," St Vincent de Paul Society Tasmania President Corey McGrath said.

“As Tasmania experiences harsh winter conditions, the CEO Sleepout becomes even more significant in raising awareness about the extreme challenges of those experiencing homelessness during the coldest months of the year.

“The event draws attention to the fact that many Tasmanians cannot afford to heat their homes due to rising energy prices and the cost-of-living crisis. We know that just paying rent at this time is a key issue.

“Many families go to bed each night wondering how much longer they can maintain a roof over their heads. This makes it essential to provide shelter and support to those who are most vulnerable in the community.”

By participating in the CEO Sleepout, business and community leaders are showing their commitment to helping those who are most in need and helping to raise awareness of this as a critical and rapidly escalating issue in the community.

With the rates of people experiencing homelessness surging, the work done by Vinnies is more important than ever.