As you may know, we had to sadly postpone our 2022 Vinnies Geelong Community Sleepout this year due to rising COVID numbers at the time.

We’re excited to finally be able to share some news with you. We’ll be back this October just in time for Anti-Poverty Week (16-22 October), a national initiative that supports communities to have an increased understanding of poverty and to take action to end it.

The surf coast in Victoria, from Geelong down to the Great Ocean Road, has been hit by devastating affordable housing shortages. According to a Domain rental report released this month, housing rental in the greater Geelong region rose by almost 30%.

This means that people – individuals, families and children – in Geelong are hurting.

That’s why we’re inviting you to join us for an Anti-Poverty Week event that will shine a light on Greater Geelong – on Tuesday 18 October – ‘We Are Community’. The good news? You don’t need to pack your sleeping bag (unless, of course, you want to), but you will be asked to open your ears, tap into your heart and ask yourselves “How can Vinnies help me be an advocate for change?”

There will be more about ‘We Are Community’ that we’ll be sharing closer to the date (which may or may not include delicious refreshments, a pop up Vinnies Shop -- as well as some heart-warming stories).

What we can promise is that the event will be real and true, because Vinnies is – and has always been about – community. And when we say ‘always’ we mean since 1874 when our volunteers first set up the first volunteer group In Geelong (at St Mary’s Church).

Today, we have an active network of 1,070+ volunteers in the local Geelong area providing localised, practical support in the local community. We can’t wait to introduce you to more of the ‘Good Works’ we do in Greater Geelong and how you can be part of it on the night!

Event details:

Date: Tuesday 18 October 2022

Time: 6:30pm – 8:00pm

Venue: Geelong West Town Hall, 153 Pakington Street, Geelong West 3218

Please bring your tickets with you so we can check you in as you arrive.

Note: a hearing aid loop is available if needed. Please advise if this is required.

For enquiries, please get in contact with our Vinnies Victoria team at vinniessleepout@svdp-vic.org.au