In November 2024, the Rotary Club of Chadstone/East Malvern held its third “Sleeping Out Rough for the Homeless” event. Past President, Michele Kennedy, once again organised this event and each year we have managed to raise more money than the previous year.. Thanks to our sponsors – and the adventurous sleepers and their sponsors we raised a record $35,681.00. At a special dinner on 26 February, the proceeds from the event were donated to South Port Housing (SPHG).
Malvern Rotary Club an
d RCEM members met at Central Park in Malvern on the Friday to start the setup for the Sleepout Rough event. Whilst it was extremely hot at 34 degrees celcius, all was set up by 4:30pm in time for the registration desk to start welcoming sleepers from 5:00pm.
We were joined by three Bendigo Community Bank Managers, South Port Housing Community Group CEO Charlie Beckley, Debbie Holmes from the Avalon Centre and Patrick, a member of their board. At the opening of the event, Charlie Beckley and Luke, a worker with the youth who are supported by SPHG, spoke of their work. Ruth Hall, the General Manager from Bendigo Community Bank also spoke about the contributions both financial and in kind that the Bank makes to the community it operates in.
A very substantial dinner was prepared by Lili Teichman and served by Lili with the support of Cheryl Jenkins. As the sun went down and night time approached, participants headed to our beds/sleeping bags and settled in for a night sleeping under the stars. Following our night sleeping rough, in the morning, a hearty bacon and egg roll breakfast was appreciated.
On Wednesday 26 February a cheque for $35,619.47 was presented to Maria Tarrant from South Port Housing. Ruth Hall and other representatives of the Bendigo Bank were present, as were a large contingent from the Rotary Club of Malvern who worked with us on this project. This great amount was achieved by a combination of a Rotary District Grant, donations from the Rotary Clubs of Malvern and Chadstone/East Malvern, sleepers and sleeper’s sponsors, the Bendigo Bank, Harris Civil Pty Ltd. and Gary Peer Real Estate.