Community
19 August, 2025
Sleeping rough’s payday
Business and community leaders raise $60,000 for homeless
THE Far North’s ‘community sleepout’ has raised $60,000 for Vinnies.
More than 42 business leaders and community members participated in the community sleepout, including AFL Cairns general manager Craig Lees, Cairns Chamber of Commerce chief executive officer Patricia O’Neill and Member for Leichhardt Matt Smith, sleeping rough in solidarity with the thousands of locals doing it tough.
Ms O’Neill, who was also a community sleepout ambassador, said she was delighted to see the local community join forces for good on Friday, August 9.
“We see firsthand, night after night, as we walk the esplanade or pass shop fronts and alleyways, members of our community, men, women and children sleeping in cars or on the streets with no place to call home,” she said.
“We have proven time and time again that when we band together as a Cairns community, we can make a difference to people who are less fortunate than ourselves.
“We are also blessed to have had one of our local businesses, Kenfrost Homes, match up to $25,000 in donations this year, which is fantastic.”
Mr Smith, posting on Facebook at 5am the following morning, said he didn’t account for the dew point and would seek more shelter next time.
“It was a really good night and there were some really touching stories,” he said.
Vinnies Queensland Housing chairman and FNQ resident Dennis Innes acknowledged all those who supported the sleepout.
“We deeply appreciate all those who volunteered their time and donated money to support the sleepout,” he said.
“All funds raised will stay in Far North Queensland, going directly towards building new housing and delivering local wrap-around support services to help break the cycle of homelessness in FNQ.”
He said homelessness remained a growing crisis across the region.
“Last year alone, Vinnies supported more than 22,000 people in Far North Queensland. That includes families, older people and individuals sleeping rough or on the brink of losing their home,” Mr Innes said.
“We know of people sleeping in cars, couch surfing or struggling to get by in overcrowded conditions. Right now, there are 4646 people on the social housing waiting list in our region, with an average wait time of 29 months.”
