PAYCE team to swap comfort for cardboard in CEO Sleepout

When Tony Wishart and Dominic Sullivan head home from work each day, they know they are among the fortunate.

PAYCE Foundation’s Dominic Sullivan (left) and Tony Wishart (right) are taking part in this year’s Vinnies CEO Sleepout on 18 June.

But next month, the PAYCE Foundation pair will swap their warm beds for pieces of cardboard as part of the annual Vinnies CEO Sleepout, raising funds and awareness for Australians experiencing homelessness.

For PAYCE Foundation Chief Financial Officer Tony Wishart, the experience is about more than one uncomfortable night.

“Most of us take having a safe place to sleep for granted,” he said.

“While one night doesn’t compare to the challenges people experiencing homelessness face every day, it helps shine a light on an issue that can often go unseen.”

The event comes as housing affordability pressures continue to place more Australians at risk of homelessness, with community organisations reporting growing demand for support services.

Funds raised help Vinnies provide food, accommodation and essential services to people at risk and experiencing homelessness across the country.

Through the PAYCE Foundation’s backing of organisations tackling homelessness and social isolation, Mr Wishart has seen firsthand the impact that connection, stability and practical support can have on people’s lives.

“Homelessness is one of the most visible signs of disadvantage in our community, but the causes are often invisible,” he said.

Foundation Director Dominic Sullivan said supporting organisations such as Vinnies was critical to ensuring people could access help when they needed it most.

“Spending one uncomfortable night outdoors helps start important conversations and raise vital funds that make a real difference to people doing it tough,” he said.

“Whether that’s a warm meal, a safe place to stay or simply having someone in their corner, every contribution counts.”

As temperatures drop and wet weather settles in, the PAYCE Foundation pair hope their participation helps shine a light on the issue and encourages others to get involved.

Vinnies CEO Sleepout will be held 18 June.
To support PAYCE’s fundraising efforts: www.ceosleepout.org.au/fundraisers/tonywishart
For general donations or to register: www.ceosleepout.org.au

Clearing hurdles: Andrew Harris finds his stride.

Andrew Harris has spent most of his life clearing hurdles.

Andrew Harris performing in the Sydney Street Choir.

On horseback, it’s literal. Off the field, the hurdles have looked different. But for the past eight years, he’s found a steady rhythm in the Sydney Street Choir.

A show jumping jockey since the age of five, Andrew travels across New South Wales, from Camden to Coffs Harbour, training horses and riding for owners.

But no matter how far he goes, Andrew will never miss a Tuesday in Sydney.

“That’s my rehearsal day,” he said. “I’m a choir singer. I always make sure I’m back.”

Music has been a constant for the 55-year-old. With a background in musical theatre, Andrew describes himself as a “triple threat,” having performed in productions like Chicago and West Side Story.

But singing offers Andrew something more than performance.

“I’ve got a stutter,” he said. “But you don’t stutter when you sing. You’re using a different part of your brain.”

He’s a familiar face in Redfern, also singing in the With One Voice choir. Still, his commitment to the Sydney Street Choir remains unwavering.

“I like to come back because I get to see all the smiley faces, and do those beautiful songs,” he said.

For Andrew, it’s more than music. It’s structure, camaraderie, and a reason to stay on track.

“The music fills you,” he said. “I love the harmony… how beautiful it sounds when you get it right.”

Today, he is one of the choir’s most enthusiastic champions, sharing videos and updates on social media to help grow what was once a group of twelve into the community it is now.

“I’d like to think I personally helped it grow,” he said.

In April, Andrew marked a highlight: opening the Sydney Street Choir’s 25th anniversary event alongside Australia’s leading didgeridoo player William Barton.

“It was a real honour,” he said. “A real highlight of my Sydney Street Choir time.”

They call him a “show pony,” he said with a laugh. But Andrew isn’t just performing. He’s found his stride.

The Sydney Street Choir is a thriving community supported by the PAYCE Foundation.

Heroes in Action: PAYCE Foundation commits $150,000 to Vinnies NSW

Some heroes wear capes. Vinnies volunteers wear blue.

(Left to right) Tony Wishart, Sophie Boyd and Talal Ghattas with the PAYCE Foundation attended the 2026 Vinnies Heroes in Action event.

The St Vincent de Paul Society has consistently shown up for people doing it tough across New South Wales. Last week, the PAYCE Foundation backed that dedication with a $150,000 donation at the 2026 Vinnies Heroes in Action event.

More than 240 attendees, including NSW Premier Chris Minns MP and Opposition Leader Kellie Sloane MP, gathered at the annual fundraiser to recognise volunteers, members and supporters providing practical care to people experiencing poverty and homelessness across the state.

The event raised more than $350,000 to directly support the Vinnies Vans service, delivering food, practical assistance and referrals to people experiencing hardship across NSW.

PAYCE’s $150,000 contribution builds on a long history with Vinnies NSW, including funding multiple Vinnies Vans across the state and a $250,000 donation earlier this year to support the van network.

PAYCE Foundation Director Sophie Boyd said the event highlighted the impact of collective purpose.

“When government, community and corporate partners come together with a common purpose, meaningful change becomes possible,” Ms Boyd said.

“We are proud to stand alongside Vinnies in recognising the extraordinary dedication of their frontline volunteers, who offer support, compassion and dignity to people in our communities every day.

“The scale of their support is remarkable, and the PAYCE Foundation is honoured to play a part in sustaining that work.”

By-Name List instilling hope across Northern Rivers

Northern Rivers Zero, a regional collaboration under the End Street Sleeping Collaboration (ESSC), has recorded rapid progress in its efforts to make homelessness rare, brief and non-recurring as the By-Name List continues to expand across the coastal region of New South Wales.

The shared database is in stage two of its goal to reach all seven local government areas, which marks a major shift away from “fragmented, crisis-driven responses” toward coordinated, prevention-focused support, Northern Rivers Zero Project Coordinator Sacha Zunic said.

“That’s been the best about it – people are coming together. There is hope,” Mr Zunich said.

“Clients are getting quicker, more rapid outcomes and, essentially, we’ve created a new source of truth as far as data is concerned.”

Participation has expanded to 17 organisations, representing 30 active user teams and 101 individual frontline users across the region.

The By-Name List allows frontline workers to securely share information, escalate complex cases and avoid duplication across the sector.

Its adoption has accelerated, with more than 6,300 updates recorded across the Northern Rivers as of 2026, compared to just 14 updates in 2022.

Regular coordination meetings now bring together councils, homelessness services, NSW Government agencies, health providers and disability services to resolve barriers in real time, Mr Zunich said.

“Outcomes are happening faster than we’ve ever seen.”

The work is supported by the PAYCE Foundation, whose backing has enabled the project to expand across the region.

PAYCE Foundation Director and ESSC Co-Chair Dominic Sullivan said the results demonstrated the power of shared data and collective action.

“The By-Name List is changing how homelessness is understood and addressed in the Northern Rivers, and the impact will be felt well beyond this region,” Mr Sullivan said.

Early intervention program gives Southern Highlands students tools to thrive

A two-year pilot program designed to cultivate children’s emotional intelligence and learning habits has rolled out in the Southern Highlands.

Kids at Wingecarribee public schools can now access the Wellbeing Program, launched by Your Angel Charity in partnership with Kind Connections Learning’s ‘Metaminds Program’.

The program, which places trained practitioners into schools to support students’ mental health and wellbeing, focuses on four key areas: emotional wellbeing, behavioural support, social inclusion, and positive social skills development.

Practical strategies help manage challenging behaviour and increase student engagement through understanding how the brain, body and emotions work together to support resilience, regulation and meaningful connections.

Your Angel Program Manager Emily Tarrant-O’Neill said early intervention in wellbeing changes the trajectory for a child.

“When we step in early and provide the right support, students feel more connected, valued, and secure – and that’s when real learning and growth can happen.”

Support is flexible and includes individual and small group sessions covering topics including friendships, conflict resolution, self-esteem, self-awareness and behavioural support. The program can also refer families to external services as required, such as housing, family domestic violence support, counselling, financial hardship or family support.

Supported by the Southern Highlands Community Foundation (SHCF) and a donation from the PAYCE Foundation, the charity hopes to expand the program to include after-school wellbeing sessions.
PAYCE Foundation Director Sophie Boyd said investing in early wellbeing programs gives children the tools to thrive.

“By backing programs like this, we help build a generation of resilient, emotionally aware young people better prepared for life’s challenges,” Ms Boyd said.

PAYCE Foundation backs Vinnies Vans with $250,000 amid growing Illawarra need

A mobile charity service seeing increasing demand in the Illawarra has received major philanthropic backing.

PAYCE Foundation Directors with NSW Minister for Health the Hon. Ryan Park MP, St George Illawarra Dragons representatives and Vinnies volunteers at the Coniston Homeless Hub, Wollongong.

Vinnies Vans, an outreach service that provides meals, toiletries and referrals, has received $250,000 from the PAYCE Foundation to help support the ongoing delivery of the service in the Illawarra, where the program has been operating for more than 15 years.

In the past six months alone, the Illawarra Vinnies Vans supported 5,500 people, with 672 onward referrals connecting individuals to broader services. Across the full year, close to 13,000 people were supported in the region and 100,000 across the state.

Vinnies Regional Director South Solange Frost said the service is a critical source of support and companionship.

“As the cost-of-living crisis deepens and with a global event that is only increasing, it’s incredibly important to be able to keep these vans on the road,” Ms Frost said.

“We get to know the people who are coming — they get to know our volunteers, they’re able to build up a relationship and establish that trust, which is often one of the biggest hurdles for people wanting to seek support.”

PAYCE Foundation Director Sophie Boyd said the donation was driven by a deep personal connection to the work Vinnies does, and a firsthand understanding of just how quickly circumstances can change.

“The PAYCE Foundation was started by my dad; he’s very big on working in the spaces of people that are sometimes forgotten — homelessness, domestic violence, addiction,” Ms Boyd said.

“The vans being able to reach more people — we find it important to help them on their mission.”

The announcement was made at a community barbeque in April at the St Vincent de Paul Society’s Coniston Homeless Hub near Wollongong, attended by NSW Minister for Health and Minister for the Illawarra and the South Coast, the Hon. Ryan Park MP.

St George Illawarra Dragons players Ryan Couchman and Dylan Egan, COO Ben Creagh, and the wider Dragons Community Team joined PAYCE Foundation Founder Brian Boyd and Directors Dominic Sullivan, Sophie Boyd, Talal Ghattas and Tony Wishart to distribute food and connect with community.

Ms Boyd said Minister Park’s attendance showed a commitment to the Illawarra community.

“His personal care and commitment to this community was extremely evident. He was genuinely engaged with every person there,” Ms Boyd said.

The Illawarra Vinnies Van is co-located at Charles Gordon O’Neill House in Coniston, sitting alongside the Society’s housing and homelessness services in a place-based model designed to ease access to help.

The hub also hosts cooking classes, art workshops and regular visits from Centrelink, legal aid and employment support.

Thirteen Vinnies Vans operate across New South Wales in Sydney, Wollongong, Newcastle, Coffs Harbour, Lismore, Wagga Wagga and Orange, running five days a week and powered entirely by volunteers.

Sydney Street Choir celebrate 25 years of music and community

One of Australia’s longest-running street choirs turned 25 in April, celebrating the way it knows best.

Past and present members of the Sydney Street Choir took to the steps of the Sydney Opera House to mark the occasion with a free public concert, the launch of a new single, and an opening Acknowledgement of Country performed by First Nations didgeridoo player William Barton.

The event also kicked off the organisation’s ‘$25 for 25’ campaign, which seeks to raise funds throughout the year.

The PAYCE Foundation, a long-term backer of the choir, was proud to stand alongside them for this milestone moment.

The rubber hits the road in Wagga with Vinnies 13th outreach van

It started with 40 meals and a boot full of toiletry kits. But for the people of Wagga Wagga, it means so much more.

Vinnies’ Van Coordinator Kylie Haran says the service is for anyone.

The St Vincent de Paul Society’s 13th Vinnies Van hit the streets of the regional city in March, marking the launch of a new regular outreach bringing free food, hot drinks, essentials and referrals to those doing it tough.

“Most importantly we offer connections,” Van Coordinator Kylie Haran said. “Anyone that is feeling socially excluded or just needs a chat can connect with us. And anyone can approach the van.”

The milestone comes as homelessness and hardship continue to rise across regional New South Wales. In Wagga alone, Vinnies supported close to 2,000 people last financial year, with around four in five requesting help with food.

The van is not only for those sleeping rough, but for anyone struggling. In a city where need can be invisible, the van goes looking for it.

Vinnies Vans bring free food, hot drinks, essential items, and referrals to those doing it tough.

In the 2024 financial year, the 12 existing Vinnies Vans assisted around 115,000 people across NSW, delivering more than 230,000 meals, 42,500 snack packs and 64,000 toiletry packs. The Wagga Van extends that reach deep into regional Australia, where demand is growing and services are thin.

“A lot of the time people that are struggling don’t want to say it out loud,” Ms Haran said. “The van is for anyone who wants to visit, even if it’s just for a chat.”

The van was made possible with the generous support of the PAYCE Foundation, which had previously donated two vans valued at more than $300,000 to the program and contributed a further $30,000 toward the Wagga service.

“The PAYCE Foundation has partnered with Vinnies on the van project because it brings help to where it is most needed,” PAYCE Foundation Director Dominic Sullivan said.

“We understand that need is not just confined to the big cities, with many regional communities grappling with rising demand.”

PAYCE Foundation and charity partners celebrate mobile wardrobe launch

An inner-city pocket of Sydney has quietly emerged as a hub for crisis relief. In March, Thread Together launched a new Mobile Wardrobe van at St Canice’s Kitchen in Kings Cross, marking a celebratory expansion of services offering brand new clothing alongside the kitchen’s familiar meal and community connection.

“Expanding our reach, through collective collaboration, provides a very powerful and much needed expansion on the existing footprint,” Thread Together CEO Anthony Chesler said.

“This means we can stand alongside more individuals and families during their most difficult times.”

The collaboration is backed by the PAYCE Foundation, a long-term supporter of Thread Together’s mission and champion of charity partnerships.

“When organisations come together in one location, people can access practical support, connection and dignity in a single trusted space,” PAYCE Foundation Director Sophie Boyd said.

“Supporting services like Thread Together helps ensure those doing it tough are not left behind, even in suburbs that may appear affluent.”

St Canice’s Kitchen launches weekly dinner series to feed its future

For more than three decades, St Canice’s Kitchen has quietly fed the hungry of Sydney’s inner east – one plate, one person, one day at a time.

On Saturday night, it set the table for something new.

About 40 guests sat down to a multi-course, family-style Italian feast on the parish’s redecorated courtyard. Candles dripped with wax, patio lights sparkled, and purple light drenched the exterior of the old church walls creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere.

It was the launch of a new weekly dinner series, with each sitting designed to raise funds and awareness for the kitchen’s daily mission of serving the city’s most vulnerable.

St Canice’s Parish Priest Fr David, who joined guests at the table, said the evening was about more than revenue.

“I’m a big believer in social enterprise as a way for communities to solve problems,” Fr David said.
“And this is a lovely example of it. You can really feel the community.”

The charitable kitchen serves between around 150 meals daily, Monday to Saturday, with 20 rotating teams drawn from its 400+ volunteers, each bringing a different menu every day.

The weekly fundraising dinners aim to build a sustainable model that funds and expands the kitchen’s reach during Australia’s deepening cost-of-living crisis.

“We want to make sure that all of our kitchen guests and everyone in between feels welcome,” Fr David continued. “It’s a mission of hospitality.”

St Canice’s Kitchen Manager and Lead Chef Vicky Bell, who clocked off to enjoy the event, said the fundraiser was essential in spreading awareness.

“People need to find out what we do, what we stand for, and our community,” Ms Bell said.

St Canice’s Kitchen Manager and Lead Chef Vicky Bell enjoys the launch of a weekly dinner series.

The PAYCE Foundation, supporting partner of St Canice’s Kitchen’s planned redevelopment into a modern community hub, backs the vision.

“This dinner series is a smart, community-led step toward a more sustainable future,” PAYCE Foundation Director Dominic Sullivan said.

“This is exactly the kind of initiative we’re proud to get behind.”

To book a seat at the next fundraising dinner, visit: https://collections.humanitix.com/march-in-the-courtyard