Christian College raises donations and awareness at homelessness sleep-out

By Max Stainkamph

Aug 30, 2022

School support: Donated goods for people experiencing homelessness. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

Students from Shepparton Christian College have braved the cold for a night to put themselves in the shoes of people who are less fortunate.

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About 40 students slept both outside and in the school gymnasium on the night of Thursday, August 25, while also having presentations from the Salvation Army and Berry Street about the realities of homelessness.

They also donated blankets, food and more to be given to Azem Elmaz’s People Supporting People and to Jerome Francis, a minister at St Augustine's Anglican Church.

Keeping warm: The participants out in the elements. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

Students Isabelle Mioni and Krystal Oelfke were two of the organisers of the sleep-out, and said it was incredible to see the support from the student body.

“We saw there are a lot of people who are homeless around our area and any area, so we decided to go with that,” Krystal said.

“We did ask people in our class what they knew about homelessness and couldn't really answer properly. So we taught them so they can answer properly.

Sleeping rough: Year 7 student Ruby Peric and Year 8 student Rubyrose Fox-Campbell. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

“We showed what meals are normally like and where they can go for support.”

Isabelle said it was an issue that affected people their age, not just adults.

“Some people have unstable homes and will be sleeping rough and still have to come to school the next day,” she said.

Boxed in: Year 9 student Ethan Hesselberg. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

She said the school had come together and supported the students’ fundraiser.

"It was crazy how high the piles of donations are,” Isabelle said.

Insight: David Cashin has experienced what it is like to be homeless. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

Shepparton Christian College teacher Philip Hickingbotham said it was “really great” that students ran the project.

“It's been really great to see them step up as leaders and make it run, and we've had heaps of different meetings and where they've given up their lunchtimes to plan this out and taking on different roles and responsibilities,” he said.