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Rosies rises to the challenge: Vinnies CEO Sleepout 2014

Image: Brisbane’s Lord Mayor Graham Quirk gets into bed with Ipswich Mayor Paul Pisasale at the CEO Sleepout launch in King George Square

The city’s business elite will get a small taste of life on the streets this winter as they spend a night in the cold to raise money for the homeless.

Volunteers from Rosies – Friends on the Street will offer hospitality at the Vinnies CEO Sleepout at Southbank’s Courier Mail Piazza on June 19 with coffee supplied by Gold Coast business I Luv Coffee.

Participating CEOs will also be given a cup of soup and a bread roll before they settle down in their sleeping bags for the night.

Rosies CEO Troy Bailey will be amongst the rough sleepers that night, though he says he will be sleeping a little less rough than most of the others.

“I’m going to be in a Backpack Bed, not a sleeping bag,” said Mr Bailey.

“I talk so highly about these things because they work – my night will be a bit more comfortable than most of the CEOs there.”

A Rosies van was on site at the launch of the CEO Sleepout on Wednesday, with volunteer Emily Rosemond on hand to supervise as participating executives donned aprons to serve coffee and soup.

Vinnies CEO Peter Maher tries on a Backpack Bed for size

“It will be good for some of the CEOs there to get a bit of an idea what life is like on the other side of the van,” said Mr Bailey.

Mr Bailey says organisations like Rosies and Vinnies are working in partnership to end homelessness.

“Homelessness is such a huge problem. In Queensland, there are around 20,000 people who are homeless right now, and about a quarter of them are children.

“The gap between street and home is getting wider, so there’s so much work to be done.

“As a participating CEO, I’m raising money for Vinnies to support the work they do.

“But on the night, we will be auctioning off a Backpack Bed and the proceeds of that will go to Rosies, so we can continue to provide beds to homeless people across the State.

“We’re all in this together.”

If you’d like to contribute to Mr Bailey’s fundraising campaign in support of Vinnies CEO Sleepout, click .

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BACKPACK BEDS GIVE DIGNITY

Living on the streets is always a struggle, but survival is harder when the weather turns cold.

To help address this, Rosies – Friends on the Street has partnered with Swags for Homeless to distribute Backpack Beds to their homeless patrons.

Rosies General Manager Troy Bailey says the high quality swags offer dignity to people by giving them a place they can call their own.

“We’re coming into winter now, and nights are getting cooler – our patrons are doing it tough, and Backpack Beds give them a chance at sleep out of the cold,” Mr Bailey said.

“There’s protection there from the elements – these beds are waterproof – and they’re fire retardant too.”

The Backpack Bed by Swags for the Homeless

The Backpack Bed by Swags for the Homeless

The Backpack Beds are an award-winning Australian design, with a padded mattress, insect screens, and a lockable section for valuables.

The beds are quick to fold away, are lightweight, and provide an all in one temporary solution to people who are sleeping rough.

“We can get a Backpack Bed to a person who needs it for only $147,” said Mr Bailey.

“That gets the bed from the supplier, to a volunteer in any of our nine branches Statewide, and into the hands of a homeless person.

“You can’t underestimate the value of a good night’s sleep. For people trying to get back on their feet again, just being able to sleep safely and comfortably is a huge gift.”

To make an online donation, click here:

Donate Now

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ROSIES PATRON MADE GOVERNOR GENERAL

Major General Peter Cosgrove AC MC speaking at the Rosies Gala Dinner, 2005

Major General Peter Cosgrove AC MC speaking at the Rosies Gala Dinner, 2005

Congratulations to Rosies patron General Peter Cosgrove on being appointed to the role of Governor-General of Australia!

A fantastic appointment and recognition of General Cosgrove’s outstanding community work – not to mention a highly decorated career!

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ROSIES ON RADIO WITH 4BC

Ever wondered exactly what Rosies does? Cat Milton spent some time talking with 4BC’s John Scott about the valuable work of Rosies’ volunteers.

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TROY BAILEY TAKES REINS AT ROSIES

Rosies – Friends on the Street is pleased to announce the appointment of Troy Bailey as general manager of the organisation.

Mr Bailey, a passionate Rosies volunteer and business operator, was selected from a high quality field of applicants for the position following incumbent Bob Boardman’s decision to retire from the position he has held since 2008.

A 20 year veteran of the hotel industry, more recently Mr Bailey, 47, has run a series of successful businesses across a variety of fields.

Acknowledging the outstanding work undertaken by his predecessor, Mr Bailey said he was determined to build on the positive impact Rosies has delivered in the community to those most in need.

“I would personally like to pass on my thanks to Bob Boardman for his significant contribution to Rosies,” Mr Bailey said.

“His hard work, passion and dedication have been much appreciated by everyone in the Rosies community.

“My task is to take this wonderful foundation which Bob has put in place and build an organisation which can reach out to positively impact more lives than it does presently.

“I will be seeking to continue the momentum to increase the Rosies brand exposure in the community.”

Rosies chairman John Scoble said the board was particularly impressed with Mr Bailey’s leadership qualities which have been demonstrated across business, educational and social environments.

“The Board was very pleased to attract a strong field of candidates for the General Manager’s position,” Mr Scoble said.

“Troy understands the Rosies ethos and has extensive experience in running small to medium businesses, combining solid financial management with strong communication and marketing skills.

“The board is very confident that Troy will bring great energy to this role and will enthusiastically carry on the outstanding work of Bob Boardman.”

Rosies is a non-preaching, non-discriminatory and not-for-profit organisation with volunteers in branches on the Gold Coast, Logan/Beenleigh, Brisbane, Ipswich, Toowoomba, Caboolture, the Sunshine Coast, Cairns and Mareeba reaching out to 45,000 Queenslanders in need every year.

Volunteers provide friendship and support to marginalised and disadvantaged people on the streets, courts, youth detention centres and prisons through street and caravan park outreaches while also participating in prison, court and youth detention visits.

Highlighting the need to further develop the organisation’s fundraising, communications and marketing as key areas, Mr Bailey said a large part of his focus will be on building the collaborative culture within the organisation’s 850 volunteers.

“Having personally experienced the tremendous effort each and every volunteer puts in, I will work hard to convey to them how appreciated and valuable they are to the Rosies organisation.

“The dedication of our volunteers is the key component which allows us to reach out to some of our society’s most vulnerable members and I’m very aware of our need to recognise their role.”

Mr Bailey will take up his position immediately.

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