PAYCE team brave winter conditions to support people experiencing homelessness

PAYCE Foundation Director Dominic Sullivan and PAYCE executive Tony Wishart have once again joined hundreds of business leaders in the Vinnies CEO Sleepout, raising $28,631 for people experiencing homelessness.

PAYCE Foundation Director Dominic Sullivan (left) and PAYCE executive Tony Wishart (right) prepare for a long, cold night at the Vinnies CEO Sleepout to raise funds and awareness for people experiencing homelessness.

While temperatures were slightly milder than previous years, strong winds sweeping across Sydney Harbour ensured participants received a reminder of the challenges faced every night by people sleeping rough.

A long-time supporter of the event, Dominic said the experience remains a powerful reminder of the growing homelessness crisis.

“One of the aims of the Sleepout is to raise awareness about the endless hardship and struggles faced by those without a home.

While I experienced some discomfort for a few hours, it really doesn’t compare to the harsh conditions that those experiencing homelessness face every day.

“To think more and more people are sleeping rough every night is a tragic and unacceptable situation in a city like Sydney.”

Tony Wishart said the annual event continued to highlight the challenges confronting vulnerable Australians.

“I certainly did not find it any easier than last year, even though it was not quite as cold,” he said.

“As you walk around the city, the number of people sleeping rough just seems to grow.

“One uncomfortable night’s sleep is a small price to pay if it helps Vinnies raise essential funds to support people who are facing homelessness and hardship.”

The Vinnies CEO Sleepout is one of Australia’s largest homelessness fundraisers, generating millions of dollars each year to support emergency accommodation, food relief, outreach programs, health and counselling services, crisis support, and longer-term housing solutions.

Dominic said rising housing costs and broader cost-of-living pressures were making life increasingly difficult for many Australians.

“With the cost of living continuing to rise year after year, the situation is becoming desperate for more people, and sadly some are ending up on the streets,” he said.

“When that happens, many struggle to find their way back to a life with the basics most of us take for granted, including a safe and secure place to call home.

“The work undertaken by Vinnies makes a real difference to thousands of people every year, and we are proud to play a small part in supporting that effort.”

The names behind the numbers: Sydney to gather for annual Homeless Persons’ Memorial

Homelessness is often measured in numbers. But later this month, Sydney will gather to remember the names behind the numbers.

The annual Homeless Persons’ Memorial Service comes at a time when renewed attention has been drawn to those living rough.

According to data from the 2021 Census, more than 122,000 Australians experienced homelessness, with specialist homelessness services supporting more than 273,000 people in 2023-24.

But behind every statistic is a person, and for more than two decades the annual Homeless Persons’ Memorial Service has sought to ensure they are recognised.

Held on the winter solstice, the Martin Place gathering brings together people with lived experience, frontline organisations, faith leaders and members of the wider community to honour those who have died while sleeping rough or experiencing homelessness.

The memorial is supported by community organisations and charities, including the PAYCE Foundation, Catholic Cemeteries and Crematoria, St Vincent de Paul Society, End Street Sleeping Collaboration, and the Archdiocese of Sydney’s Justice and Peace Office.

PAYCE Foundation Director Dominic Sullivan said the service was an important opportunity for the community to come together to pause and reflect.

“For many people who die while experiencing homelessness, this may be the only public memorial held in their honour,” Mr Sullivan said.

Members of the public are invited to attend the Homeless Persons’ Memorial Service, which will be held in Martin Place on June 21.

New café, food relief centre and community garden to supercharge St Merkorious Charity’s mission

Strathfield is set to become a hub for food relief and community support as St Merkorious Charity brings a café, food distribution centre and community garden into the suburb.

St Merkorious Charity Founder Paula Nicolas (centre) with attendees at a community event.

The not for profit currently provides over 4,000 meals per week across Greater Sydney. The three new community-focused facilities in the Inner West mark its biggest expansion in 13 years.

Olive Tree Café in Hudson Park Strathfield opened in March 2026, marking the first of the new community-focused facilities. The social enterprise will provide training in barista work, food handling and café service for people experiencing hardship, designed to build practical skills and create pathways into employment.

A large food distribution centre and community garden are set to open on Cosgrove Rd Strathfield South in June 2026, forming the next stage of the charity’s expanded operations.

St Merkorious Charity Founder Paula Nicolas said the new facility will enable the preparation and distribution of up to 15,000 meals per week for people experiencing food insecurity across Greater Sydney.

It will also function as the charity’s central hub for emergency relief and referral services.

“We started with a simple goal of feeding people, and that need has only grown,” Mrs Nicolas said. “This expansion means we can continue that work at a much larger scale, while also creating a hub for support and connection.”

The site will include a commercial-grade kitchen designed for up to 20 staff, a community garden, cold storage and warehouse, counselling and interview rooms, multiple offices, a boardroom, training facilities and dedicated areas for volunteers and visitors. It will also include solar energy capability and integrated truck and van access for distribution.

The expansion is supported by the PAYCE Foundation, a long-standing philanthropic partner of St Merkorious.

PAYCE Foundation Director Dominic Sullivan said the initiatives build on the charity’s long-term work in the community.

“Paula and the team at St Merkorious have done a remarkable job supporting people who are struggling to access the basics they need to survive,” Mr Sullivan said.

“These new facilities represent the next stage of that work, and we are proud to continue supporting a charity that is making a real difference on the ground.”

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.