Whyalla Community Records Australia’s Biggest Fundraising Total, with Every Dollar Staying Local to Support People Experiencing Homelessness
Whyalla might be famous for steel and spectacular giant cuttlefish, but this time it’s the city’s big-hearted community making headlines after topping the nation for this year’s Sleepout Fundraiser.
The Upper Spencer Gulf city raised more than $45,000 through this year’s Sleepout Fundraiser, recording the highest fundraising total anywhere in Australia to support locals experiencing homelessness.
Whyalla Sleepout Fundraiser Tops Australia
Held on July 31, the annual event brought people together for one chilly night on cardboard, helping raise awareness of homelessness while collecting much-needed funds. Better still, every dollar raised by the Whyalla community will stay in Whyalla to support locals doing it tough.
Participants also heard from local homelessness, health and community service providers about the challenges facing Whyalla and the practical ways people can help before someone reaches crisis.
One Night Outside, Lasting Local Impact
Whyalla City Council Youth Activation Officer Chloe Fisher was among those who spent the night sleeping outside.
“The amount raised for this important cause is an incredible achievement and something our city should be proud of,” Ms Fisher said.
“Our community did much more than raise funds. We came together to listen, learn and better understand the challenges facing people in Whyalla and how we can support them before they reach crisis.
“Hearing directly from people with lived experience of homelessness was powerful and hearing how funds from the 2024 Sleepout helped a local young person attend Operation Flinders showed us the real and lasting difference this initiative can make.
“Sleeping outside on a piece of cardboard in the cold was uncomfortable, but it was only one rough night for us. For too many Australians, not having a safe and secure place to sleep is an ongoing reality.”
Community Support Makes The Difference
The fundraiser was organised by the Whyalla Homelessness Awareness Committee, made up of Mission Australia, headspace Whyalla, Centacare Catholic Country SA, Centacare Catholic Community Services, HOPE Whyalla and Whyalla City Council.
Mission Australia Area Manager Rebecca Gow said the committee had been overwhelmed by the support from the local community.
“We want to say a huge thank you to everyone who donated, every dollar will make a difference. To the locals who joined us on Friday night, thank you for being willing to brave the cold and get out of your comfort zone. We couldn’t do what we do without the support of our community.”
“The Committee would also like to thank our gold, silver and bronze sponsors, Santos, Tilt Renewables and the Harp & Shamrock Club, who were incredibly generous, along with the many other local businesses and organisations who got behind this event.”
The result builds on the success of Whyalla’s 2024 Sleepout, which funded cost-of-living packs for people in need and helped local young people take part in Operation Flinders.
It’s a result the whole city can be proud of, proving once again that regional communities punch well above their weight when it comes to backing a good cause.
Good news deserves to be shared. Get more stories like this from regional South Australia delivered straight to your inbox each week. Subscribe to the Greater SA newsletter.
