Business
16 July, 2025
Sleep rough for Vinnies
VINNIES Queensland is calling on Far North Queenslanders to swap their beds for a piece of cardboard on Friday, August 8, when the region’s ninth Community Sleepout makes its debut at Cazalys Stadium.
Around 20,000 people sought help from Vinnies across the region in 2024 including families sleeping in cars, older residents couch-surfing and parents skipping meals to keep a roof over their children’s heads.
Vinnies housing chairman and vice president Dennis Innes said that when you consider the broader population of Far North Queensland was around 290,000 with about 180,000 in Cairns, it meant the organisation was supporting close to 10 per cent of the region’s population.
“I think that highlights the number of marginalised or disadvantaged people we have in the community that often go unseen,” he said.
Participants in the Sleepout will arrive with little more than a sleeping bag, share a simple meal and take part in late-night yarning circles before settling in under the grandstand for a night that offers a small but sobering insight into life without a safe place to sleep.
“Last year, I finally nodded off around 1.45am – and you likely won’t sleep for long,” Mr Innes said.
“You might be woken by rain or the 4am flight from Japan. It’s a small glimpse into what life is like for someone forced to sleep rough.”
Mr Innes said Vinnies hoped to raise $65,000 this year with funds to go directly towards the charity’s state-wide 500 Homes Project.
The organisation has already bought two blocks of land in Cairns and plans to build up to 40 new social and affordable housing units by 2027.
Kenfrost Homes has come on board as a major sponsor, pledging to match every dollar donated up to $25,000.
Community Sleepout ambassador and Kenfrost marketing coordinator Alex Loughton said it was about turning awareness into action.
“This isn’t just about sleeping rough for a night, it’s about helping Vinnies build homes and futures,” he said. “When you donate, your impact is doubled instantly.”
Kenfrost has contributed nearly $250,000 to Vinnies initiatives over the past five years.”
Vinnies FNQ already operates two homelessness hostels and manages 37 properties across the region, from Port Douglas to Tully.
AFL Cairns general manager Craig Lees said hosting the event at Cazalys Stadium for the first time was a natural fit for an organisation with strong community values.
“You see these kinds of events held at the Gabba and other major stadiums, so we felt that Cazalys could play a massive and critical role in helping create awareness and getting our staff right behind the campaign,” he said.
Register at
