A huge thank you to everyone who participated in the Vinnies’ Winter Sleepout at the end of Term 2 this year. The community was very generous in donating to the appeal and we raised $3160.
College students and staff have been taking part in the Winter Sleepout for many years, normally sleeping out in the quadrangle at the College. The Sleepout is held each winter to raise awareness of homelessness issues.
Staff, students and families participated in the Sleepout in many different ways this year, some choosing to use the resources prepared by the College.
Students, including Mercy and Justice prefect Melissa Mathews (pictured), were encouraged to share the experience at home with their families, sleeping on the floor or spending the cold night outside in a tent. Year 12 CSYMA students helped to prepare a short liturgy script.
Here are some of the creative ways in which people embraced this opportunity:
We started out our night by sharing a meal and beginning the liturgy after eating. We discussed the questions as a family and gave opinions and reflections involving the liturgy. Once we had organised our sleeping arrangements, we all watched the suggested movie The Blind Side together to end the night.
— Georgia Drummond (Year 12 White)
We had a basic meal outside and discussed many things to do with homelessness. We spent most of the time outside or in the tent in sleeping bags.
— Madeleine Keating (Year 11 Blue)
I did this by myself and reflected on the liturgy, before watching the movie with my family. I then slept on the floor with a blanket and no pillow.
— Ava Brown (Youth Ministry Officer)
We had a very basic meal and reflected on the liturgy. Having carried out further research into homelessness my husband, daughter and myself engaged in a discussion which enabled us to reflect more on the issue of homelessness in our society, both locally and globally.
— Mrs Mary Hicks (teacher)
Thank you to teacher Mrs Nerrida Burnham for creating and donating the Carlton Football Club blanket. All names on the donation page were put into a random generator and the lucky winner of the blanket was Mrs Hicks, whose husband has been a Carlton supporter for more than 70 years. The blanket, which takes over 100 hours to make, is just one of many footy rugs that Mrs Burnham has produced for family and friends. The blanket was presented to Mrs Hicks last week.
In addition to the Sleepout, our annual collection of non-perishable goods and toiletries was well supported. These goods will assist the Vinnies’ Conference at St Patrick’s to restock their supplies for people in need.
Thank you again, to all who have supported this great cause.
