Photo: (Back) Good Shepherd Principal David Austin, Mt Carmel’s Michael Green, SFX Principal Paul Car- roll, SFX AP Dearne Bassett. (Front) St Thomas Aquinas Primary School Principal Leah Taylor, and St John Paul II College Principal Catherine Rey.
Mount Carmel’s Principal Michael Green took part in his third Vinnies CEO Sleepout on June 23 and raised over $4,000 for homelessness programs across the national capital and region.
The Australian Bureau of Statistics has found that over 116,000 Australians are experiencing homelessness. Of these, 60% are under 35, 44% are women and 13% are under 12 years old.
Although homelessness is more visible in urban areas, Michael knows it is still an issue in regional areas like Yass, albeit a more hidden one.
“People in the regions for all kinds of reasons find themselves under housing stress, whether that’s because of economic reasons, whether it’s because they’ve experienced mental illness or have had issues with addiction,” he said. “They can find themselves couch surfing or seeking hotel accommodation or sleeping in a car or relying on friends and family.”
As a principal in the region, I’ve had experience working with families who have been having issues with insecure housing,” Michael said. “It is a problem in the regions even though it’s not as visible as it is in the city.”
“The CEO Sleepout has been supported by Catholic principals for quite a while,” he said.
Several other principals also participated at the Sleepout, which Michael said provided moral support and a sense of camaraderie.
Michael added that the group was fortunate that last Thursday was one of the mildest nights the Canberra region has experienced lately dropping down to 7 degrees Celsius.
Held in the forecourt of the National Portrait Gallery in Canberra, the often icy wind off Lake Burley Griffin can make it feel much colder.
Michael said at Mt Carmel they are always encouraging students to be active in issues of social justice.
“It’s really important for principals to get behind things and model some action that can be taken as well,” he said. “Rather than just talking about it, actually putting yourself out there and doing something proactive and the kids respond to that.”
The Yass Principal set himself a goal to raise $2,000 for the Sleepout and at the time of writing had raised $4,183.
Michael thanked Mt Carmel and the wider Yass community for their donations and support.
“I’m really touched by how much the community gets behind the Sleepout when I do it.”
In his first two years participating in the Sleepout, Michael raised $3600 and $4800 respectively.
“Catholic schools have got a really important role to play in taking action for social justice,” he said. “This is a particular cause that because of my position in the community, I can garner a fair bit of community support to encourage others to donate as well.”
“My privileged position in the community means that I can do a lot to raise awareness and encourage others to contribute.”
By Brianna O’Rourke
