Gold Coast 2021 Vinnies CEO Sleepout raised a record breaking amount
THE Gold Coast has been praised for digging deep during one of the toughest years and raising the most amount of money ever during a city fundraiser. >>> FULL DETAILS
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THE Gold Coast has been praised for digging deep during one of the toughest years and raising the most amount of money ever during a city fundraiser.
More than 200 Coast CEOs and civic leaders joined the annual Vinnies CEO Sleepout and raised more than $600,000 – double the charity’s goal amount.
The city’s bosses huddled together in Cbus Stadium at Robina on Thursday night and continued to raise money well into the next morning.
Gold Coast Vinnies CEO Sleepout founding ambassador Karen Phillips said it was incredible to see a room filled with more than 200 people passionate about helping those doing it tough.
“I just think it’s incredible to see such a diverse range of CEOs, civic leaders and companies big and small, come together,” Ms Phillips said.
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“And a year after Covid, how good is this city? They stood up for those less fortunate.”
Ms Phillips said there were dozens of new faces at the Sleepout including this year’s top fundraiser Village Roadshow CEO Clark Kirby.
Mr Kirby dominated the leaderboard by raising $36,876, almost $20,000 more than the second highest amount raised.
PHOTOS: Gold Coast 2021 Vinnies CEO Sleepout
“It was a true privilege to be a part of this wonderful initiative that was established and developed by some incredibly generous local individuals,” Mr Kirby said.
“I’m extremely proud of our Village Roadshow Theme Parks team and our success was down to the incredible support from our business partners and friends that recognise the magnitude of the homelessness issue on the Gold Coast and Australia wide.
“It is also great to see the Gold Coast community spirit in action with the city absolutely smashing it on a per capita basis which reinforces how much of a caring community we have.”
See the full leaderboard here: ceosleepout.org.au/event/gold-coast
The Gold Coast CEO battle for top spot
June 17, 2021
AS the city’s leaders prepare themselves to sleep rough for charity, their mobile phones have also been in overdrive.
More than 200 Gold Coast CEOs and civic leaders have been working tirelessly behind the scenes to secure as much money as possible for the 2021 Vinnies CEO Sleepout.
This year’s goal was to raise a “conservative” $300,000, later increased to $400,000, but Gold Coasters have rallied and smashed that goal.
So far the city’s leaders have raised $499,170 – the most raised for the Gold Coast event – and there’s still plenty of time to donate.
Not to mention that after the Coast’s movers and shakers roll out their sleeping bag at Robina’s Cbus Stadium on Thursday night the hustle will continue.
Maylake Pty Ltd CEO and Vinnies CEO Sleepout ambassador Lorraine Lovatt confessed she had a competitive streak and was proud to share that she had been on the top of the leaderboard in previous years.
Ms Lovatt has raised $11,246 and doesn’t plan on stopping there.
“On the night we’re still competitive. We will have some raffles and some auctions and we still rally around,” Ms Lovatt said.
“The tallies are up there and sometimes they jump backwards and forwards and it’s fun because you actually see someone change position and the next thing, they’re all on the phone ringing up someone going, ‘I need some more!’.”
The Gold Coast’s homelessness plight is personal for Ms Lovatt who has joined every Sleepout since its inception six years ago.
“When I was 17 I was actually in the position of couch surfing and homeless,” she said.
“People don’t understand what homelessness is, it’s not just people who live on the street.
“There are people who are couch surfing, there’s people staying with relatives, there’s people staying in tents, there’s people who just can’t afford housing, and they have jobs, I had a job.”
Westpac private banker Jamie Preston was challenged by Ms Lovatt to join the Sleepout four years ago.
Mr Preston has also featured at the top of the fundraising leaderboard but admits this year’s top dog is “just taking us out”.
Village Roadshow Theme Parks CEO Clark Kirby has raised $32,595 – almost double the amount raised by Member for Southport Rob Molhoek – who is currently in second place.
“Lorraine and I are normally the top two fundraisers for the last couple of years, however, we do have a huge competitor this year which is just taking us out.
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“But I’m proud because I actually brought him on, I challenged him, so I’m excited for him to just keep going.”
Geoff Smith, of Sports Gold Coast, rocketed towards the top of the list after Southport Tigers sponsor Clive Palmer donated $11,000 and Mr Smith chipped in $5000.
Havendeen’s Rob McKinnon, Urbis director Matthew Schneider and BUSY at Work CEO Paul Miles have all raised more than $10,000.
To donate, visit ceosleepout.org.au
Why Coast real estate boss plans to sleep rough
A REAL estate boss is the latest to commit to sleeping under the stars on a winter’s night to support Gold Coasters doing it tough.
Harcourts Coastal sales director Rob Forde and his team will join the 2021 Vinnies CEO Sleepout at Robina next week.
It’s the second Sleepout Mr Forde has done and this year hoped to contribute $10,000 to the cause which he said the team had already achieved.
“We’ve raised $10,438 and we still have a week to go so we would love to raise more,” Mr Forde said.
“That means the money will help provide 33 individual support programs, 86 beds and 347 meals.”
The event will return to Cbus Super Stadium at Robina on June 17 with the Queensland charity vowing to raise $1.3m statewide.
Mr Forde said by joining the campaign he has heard many stories from friends and colleagues about how Vinnies helped them through a tough time.
“We have a number of clients willing to help out and are aware there is a homelessness issue on the Gold Coast but I don’t think we appreciate how deep the issue runs,” Mr Forde said.
“Realistically, we are going out there with a nice sleeping bag in what is a relatively controlled environment, we’re not doing it night after night which brings home the reality of how bad the problem is.
“Through this campaign we’ve heard stories coming out from people who Vinnies has helped, and not just the homeless, it’s actually people going through a tough time for a few months and need housing.
“Vinnies provide a lot more than some people realise.”
About 200 Gold Coast leaders will roll out their sleeping bags on June 17 and have so far raised nearly $400,000.
Vinnies Gold Coast executive officer Kris Martin said previous Sleepouts have helped to fund many projects including building six units for mature aged women on the Gold Coast.
“We’ve invested over $6 million back into Gold Coast homelessness services, but there’s so much more work to be done,” Mr Martin said.
“Homelessness on the Coast is tipped to increase by almost 13 per cent in the coming months.
“We can’t do it without you. I look forward to seeing you all at the fifth annual Vinnies CEO Sleepout where we hope to break the cycle of homelessness.”
Housing crisis: Why you can’t find a rental on the Coast
April 21, 2021
STARK new data has painted a grim picture of the Gold Coast rental crisis, with vacancies at a record-breaking low.
Individuals and families have been forced to couch surf, sleep in vehicles or on the street as dozens of people battle it out for sought-after properties.
The shortage of rentals has been at least partially attributed to Sydney and Victorian residents moving north in the coronavirus pandemic.
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Vacancy rates were at 0.9 per cent in December, but the market has tightened 0.3 per cent to 0.6 per cent across the city – a record low in 15 years of data.
Oxenford is worst affected at 0.1 per cent, followed by Tugun at 0.3 per cent and Burleigh, Currumbin and Nerang at 0.4 per cent, while Palm Beach has a 0.5 per cent vacancy rate.
Ashmore, Biggera Waters, Hope Island and Parkwood are at 0.5 per cent, Coomera and Pimpama are at 0.6 per cent and Surfers Paradise has more rental availability than most suburbs at 0.8 per cent.
The figures were released by the Real Estate Institute of Queensland (REIQ) and CEO Antonia Mercorella urged the State Government to act quickly to alleviate the shortfall.
“With no support measures announced for the established housing sector in last year’s State Budget, the REIQ believes the Palaszczuk Government must take immediate action to resolve our current rental crisis,” she said
“The rental sector plays a critical role in Queensland’s housing system and the role and size of our investor market has never been so important.
“The State Government say they want to help households transition from community housing to housing in the private rental market. Given that, more needs to be done to better support both increased and ongoing property investor activity in the Queensland property market and the contributions they make to the State economy.”
However, Energy Minister Mick de Brenni said on Tuesday approvals for new homes had jumped 61 per cent and his department was “working closely with the sector”.
“Next week the national building ministers will meet to chart a course for the sustainability of the industry,” he said in Question Time,” he said in parliament.
“Queensland will advocate for national housing support to help all Queenslanders live with dignity, regardless of age or if you are living with a disability.”
The REIQ has also raised concerns about the affordability of purchasing homes, particularly for first home buyers.
Gold Coast leaders to brave the cold
April 15, 2021
GOLD Coast leaders are preparing to brave the cold and spend the night sleeping rough to raise money for the city’s homeless.
The 2021 Vinnies CEO Sleepout will return to Cbus Super Stadium at Robina on June 17 with the Queensland charity vowing to raise $1.3m statewide.
Vinnies Gold Coast executive officer Kris Martin said new research showed housing stress on the Coast would worsen by the end of June.
“It’s horrifying to think that what we’re seeing now is going to get worse, before it gets better,” Mr Martin said.
“And to add to this perfect storm, exacerbated by the end of JobKeeper and the drop in JobSeeker, the Coast needs an immediate social housing investment to build 703 social housing units to support those already facing homelessness, and those at risk.”
Mr Martin said the faces of homelessness on the Coast were “mums and dads who had fallen over” and mature-aged women.
“Some of them have had tragic and traumatic stories and for them to have a home that they can stay in for as long as they want, that changes people’s forever life,” Mr Martin said.
“We generally say having a roof over your head is kind of taking the weight away of all of your problems.
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“It then allows you to have a safe environment to sleep and we can help you focus on the smaller problems.”
He said money raised through events such as the 2021 Vinnies CEO Sleepout supported initiatives such as the new Vinnies Homelessness Hub on Railway Street at Southport.
“If you love the Gold Coast and you can spare one night to join this Sleepout, you’re doing the best for the community which is really suffering.”
To register, visit ceosleepout.org.au/event/gold-coast
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