St Vincent de Paul Society, nervous chief executives gear up for second annual CEO Sleepout
FORTESCUE Metal Group chief executive Andrew Forrest looks forward to the 16 June St Vincent de Paul Society CEO Sleepout with some trepidation after last year’s experience.
Mr Forrest, who joined some of Perth’s most prominent business and community leaders to put homelessness on the agenda on 12 April at the WACA to launch the 2011 Vinnies CEO Sleepout, said it was “uncomfortable” last year.
“It was certainly uncomfortable sleeping out for the 2010 CEO Sleepout, but not as uncomfortable as the thought of many of our fellow Australians who do this every night of the week,” Mr Forrest said.
“The Vinnies Sleepout was a great way to raise money for homeless Australians and, more importantly, awareness for each person who has no other choice but to find a home on the streets.”
Burswood Entertainment Complex CEO Barry Felstead, Youth Affairs Council of WA executive officer Craig Comrie and Lycopodium Minerals Managing Director Peter De Leo are just a few of the 34 already registered 2011 CEO Sleepout participants.
St Vincent de Paul Society (WA) Inc CEO John Bouffler and St Vincent de Paul Society (WA) Inc State President Clèment Astruc also attended the 12 April launch.
Homelessness will be on their agenda at a typical boardroom meeting – except not in a usual office setting but on the WACA oval, the same oval which will be their bed come 16 June according to a St Vincent de Paul Society statement. The leaders aim to encourage other leaders to register to sleep out, spread the word about homelessness that affects over 105,00 Australians each night and bring about change for a more just and compassionate society which is in line with the St Vincent de Paul Society’s ethos.
The second annual Sleepout to be held in Perth will also be held in every State and Territory around Australia on the same evening with the aim to raise over $3 million.