PAYCE Foundation joins Souths Cares NAIDOC festival event

The PAYCE Foundation proudly joined the celebrations at the Souths Cares NAIDOC Festival held at Heffron Park, Maroubra, with one of its donated Vinnies Vans offering vital support to attendees.


(left to right) PAYCE Foundation Directors Talal Ghattas and  Sophie Boyd joined Vinnies Van Manager Josie Charbel and Souths Cares CEO Alisha Parker-Elrez at the event.

The vibrant event, attended by more than 3,000 people, celebrated Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories, cultures, and achievements under this year’s NAIDOC theme: “The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy.”

The theme was deeply felt throughout the day as community members, performers and supporters came together in a powerful display of cultural pride and unity.

The PAYCE Foundation, through its long-standing partnership with the St Vincent de Paul Society’s Vinnies Vans program, played a visible role at the event. The Vinnies Van, funded by the Foundation, was on site to provide refreshments and engage with the community, reinforcing the Foundation’s commitment to outreach and community service.

PAYCE Foundation Director Talal Ghattas said it was inspiring to see such strong community engagement and pride in culture.

“It’s a privilege for the PAYCE Foundation to be part of this celebration and to support the Vinnies Vans and Souths Cares – as they continue their vital outreach,” Mr Ghattas said.

“NAIDOC Week is a time for reflection and recognition, but also one for hope and investment in the next generation; something we strongly believe in at the Foundation.”

The festival featured a powerful Welcome to Country by Aunty Barb Simms, a Smoking Ceremony by Uncle Dean Kelly, cultural performances, art workshops, storytelling, and sporting activities, all designed to celebrate and connect community across generations.

The PAYCE Foundation’s support of initiatives like the Vinnies Vans program aligns closely with Souths Cares’ mission to strengthen community ties and empower the next generation.

“Souths Cares do outstanding work and this year’s event was again inspiring,” Mr Ghattas said.

This shared commitment was on full display at the NAIDOC Festival, a day filled with joy, connection and the enduring spirit of culture and legacy.

View the full photo gallery on South’s Cares website

Homeless deaths marked at solemn service

They may have died on the streets, but their passing was marked with a solemn service in Martin Place, Sydney, on the shortest day of the year – the winter solstice.

Every year, the number of people who come to stand in the cold and pay their respects grows, but sadly, so too does the number of people dying on our streets.

In the past three months alone, a dozen people have died sleeping rough in Inner Sydney, according to the End Street Sleeping Collaboration.

“Tonight, we remember those who have died on the streets,” said Fr Peter Smith, Promoter of Justice and Peace for the Archdiocese of Sydney.

“Amidst all this wealth,” Fr Peter said, standing in the Martin Place Amphitheatre, flanked by Australia’s biggest financial institutions, “is a reminder that a society is not judged by its wealth and by its success, but by how much it values its vulnerable”.

“I also want tonight to be a night about hope – about promises that we will end poverty and homelessness in our city, because no one – no one – should die alone, unloved, and unmourned,” he told those gathered.

“So, as we mourn the deaths of people tonight, let us also celebrate life and promise to support it.”

The camaraderie and sense of community rang clear in the songs of the Sydney Street Choir and the Honeybees community choir.

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

Event organiser Dominic Sullivan said many of the people who died on the streets had no commemoration and no one to mourn them.

“This service is a moment for the community to come together, remember those lost, and recommit to action,” Mr Sullivan said.

“People should not be dying on the streets, and they should not die anonymously – that is not the mark of a caring and compassionate society. The increasing numbers of people living on the streets is alarming, and this service will not only remember those who have died but also refocus our efforts to end homelessness.”

PAYCE Foundation Director Dominic Sullivan acknowledges the community coming together to mourn Sydney’s fallen homeless. 

“Singing heals, music heals,” said the Sydney Street Choir’s Mary Kiani, but added that the choir is more than just that: “It’s about being a community as well, that’s looking out for each other.”

“A lot of the people in the choir probably don’t have anybody else in their lives, you know, and it’s the one place where they can fit in,” she said. “Everyone’s accepted – we just come together and sing.”

The crowd was joined by Bishop Danny Meagher, who led the Opening Prayer; Bishop Terry Brady; Imam Mahmoud Alazhari from the Australian National Imams Council; CEO of Jewish House Rabbi Mendel Kastel; the Rev Bill Crews; as well as leaders from business, community, and politics – including NSW Minister for Homelessness Rose Jackson, who gave the keynote address.

Sue Buckingham, from the support organisation David’s Place, read a tribute to Graeme Manuel, one of those who died this year. He was described as a ‘street brother’ to his mates.

“Graeme is remembered by all who knew him over the last 20 years as kind, gentle, joyful, and a true friend,” she said. “Graeme was on the autism spectrum, and this made life very difficult for him in his earlier years. Finding out ‘what’s wrong with me’ 15 or so years ago freed him to be himself.”

“I remember him being so happy to know his diagnosis.”

 

PAYCE team brave cold night to raise funds for homeless

The view back to the city and Sydney Harbour was magnificent.

The office lights were a bright beacon highlighting a modern, thriving international city.

But already the temperature was plummeting, and the dew stood ready to throw a wet, cold blanket over the group that had assembled for this year’s Vinnies CEO Sleepout – the charities major fundraiser.

Preparing for a long, cold night: Dominic Sullivan and Tony Wishart, with PAYCE Foundation Director Sophie Boyd.

For those preparing to bed down, the nervous chatter was in full flight.

How should one use the two pieces of cardboard?

Double mattress or single, and one for shelter from the cold?

Tony Wishart, from PAYCE, came prepared, but when it came time to bed down, the cardboard mattress was a harsh awakening to what homeless people experience every night.

“It really was a very cold, uncomfortable experience, with sleep for 30 minutes at a time at best.

“But when you fully appreciate that this is life for too many people in Sydney, you understand that it is a small inconvenience.

“It was an experience, and I appreciate the people who sponsored me – I know Vinnies will make a difference with the funds raised.”

The stories of people living on the street are many and varied.

With the cost-of-living crisis, the numbers are growing with many forced onto the street due to rising rents.

PAYCE Foundation Director Dominic Sullivan participated for a second year.

“By morning, everything and everyone was wet and cold,” he said.

“It is hard to imagine that hundreds of people go through this every night.

“Fortunately, there are organisations like Vinnies who not only provide shelter and support, but also services to help people rebuild their lives.”

Tony and Dominic raised over $72,000 to assist homeless people.

Sleeping out in solidarity with people sleeping rough

PAYCE Foundation Director Dominic Sullivan is once again braving the winter elements for the Vinnies CEO Sleepout, reaffirming his commitment to ending homelessness in Sydney.


Pictured last year, Dominic Sullivan will again join other CEOs to make a difference to people sleeping rough.

This year’s event on Thursday June 19, held amid an early winter chill, underscores the growing crisis of rough sleeping across the city.

Reflecting on last year’s experience, Mr Sullivan acknowledges that his discomfort was fleeting compared to the nightly reality faced by hundreds of Sydneysiders.

“That one sleepless night gave me a glimpse into the relentless hardship so many endure,” he said.

The urgency of the issue is stark.

The City of Sydney’s February 2025 Street Count recorded 346 people sleeping rough, marking a 24% increase from the previous year.

Across New South Wales, the count tallied 2,192 individuals without shelter.

Compounding the crisis, Sydney has experienced an early cold snap, with temperatures dropping to 5°C and ‘feels like’ readings nearing freezing due to strong winds.

Mr Sullivan’s participation in the Vinnies Sleepout aims to raise both awareness and funds to combat homelessness.

“It’s not just about enduring a cold night; it’s about standing in solidarity and driving change,” he emphasised.

Donations from the event support Vinnies’ vital services, including crisis accommodation, food assistance, and long-term housing solutions.

As winter tightens its grip, Sullivan urges the community to act: “Together, we can make a difference and offer hope to those in need.”

To donate go to: https://www.ceosleepout.org.au/

The rubber hits the road on project to cut rough sleeping

Sydney’s cross-sector End Street Sleeping Collaboration is being hailed as a “unique and vital” effort in addressing rough sleeping, with new technology, the By-Name List (BNL) now delivering life changing results.

Mission Australia’s Stefan Mackenzie, who previously worked in the community housing sector, has praised the collaboration for its level of cooperation rarely seen in other parts of the social services system.

“Coming from a more competitive environment, it was almost too good to be true,” he said.

“Services, councils, hospitals — all sitting together, sharing resources and ideas to improve outcomes for people sleeping rough.”

Stefan Mackenzie foresees positive change using the By-Name-List.

At the heart of this effort is the By-Name List — a real-time, person-specific database that tracks individuals experiencing homelessness and the services involved in their care.

Mr Mackenzie described it as a vital mechanism that reduces duplication and strengthens service coordination.

“We’ve seen cases where the BNL flagged that a client was already being assisted, allowing us to redirect support and avoid doubling up,” he said.

More than just a list, the BNL acts as a shared platform enabling practitioners to access up-to-date information, convene case conferences, and coordinate across agencies without relying solely on informal networks.

“Without the BNL, we’d still be dependent on who you know, or whether you’re on the right email thread,” Mr Mackenzie said.

“Now, any service can immediately plug in and contribute meaningfully.”

This winter, ESSC anticipates a growing demand, fuelled by the ongoing cost-of-living crisis and persistent evictions from both public and private housing.

Mr Mackenzie expects colder temperatures will provide more opportunities to engage with rough sleepers, many of whom may be more willing to consider housing options during harsh weather.

“There’s always a steady stream of new people ending up on the streets,” he said. “But winter can be a call to action — a moment where discomfort motivates change.”

A particularly concerning trend is the rise in older women, particularly those over 55, sleeping rough or in cars — a demographic that Mr Mackenzie said is increasingly visible, especially in areas like Sydney’s inner west.

Despite the challenges, Mr Mackenzie remains optimistic. “This level of collaboration is rare — but it’s working,” he said. “And with tools like the BNL, we’re better equipped to respond in real time and help more people off the streets.”

From fear to freedom: Jenny’s journey to a new life

After escaping a 15-year marriage marked by emotional, mental, and verbal abuse, Jenny* found herself couch-surfing and uncertain of what the future held. In September 2024, with nowhere to turn and deeply affected by years of trauma, she reached out to Missionbeat for help.

Jenny’s immediate need was stable housing, but the path forward felt overwhelming. With the help of Missionbeat and HOST (Homes NSW), she was placed in temporary accommodation at Dignity House in Arncliffe.

Still emotionally distressed and unfamiliar with the complex web of support services, Jenny struggled to find her footing.

Missionbeat’s intervention began at the WISH Hub, where a case manager identified Jenny’s* most urgent need: safe, long-term housing. Using the End Street Sleeping Collaboration real time technology tool – the By Name List (BNL) — they discovered she was already connected to a lead worker.

This allowed for a streamlined collaboration between multiple agencies, including Vincentian House and the Women’s and Girls’ Emergency Centre (WAGEC).

Together, the organisations addressed Jenny’s health, housing, and financial needs. WAGEC helped her access Domestic Violence payments, while her case manager ensured swift housing applications, cutting through administrative red tape.

Thanks to this coordinated effort, within three months Jenny secured social housing in Balmain — a critical milestone in her recovery.

She now lives in a safe environment where she continues to receive mental health support and JobSeeker payments, offering financial stability as she rebuilds her confidence.

Though challenges remain, particularly regarding her emotional wellbeing, Jenny is focused on healing and has expressed her desire to re-enter the workforce when ready.

Jenny’s* story is a testament to the power of compassionate, coordinated support and the role of systems like the BNL in transforming lives.

The PAYCE Foundation is the founding philanthropic partner of the End Street Sleeping Collaboration (ESCC)

*Name changed for privacy.

PAYCE Foundation reflects on year of helping the vulnerable

The PAYCE Foundation is pleased to share its 2024 Impact Report showcasing an outstanding year of helping vulnerable members of our community.

Read the latest PAYCE Foundation Impact Report 2024 here.

In 2024, the PAYCE Foundation distributed $2.64 million to 23 charities and a total of $35 million since 2016, working alongside our partners to address rising social challenges intensified by the national cost-of-living crisis.

This has resulted in growing food insecurity, homelessness, and hardship for many Australians.

In response, we focused our efforts on areas of chronic disadvantage, supporting initiatives that combat homelessness, addiction, isolation, and domestic violence.

Despite growing demand and strained resources, our charity partners continue to rise to the challenge with resilience and compassion.
We are deeply grateful to our board, donors, staff, and supporters who make this work possible.

Drug Summit Recommends More Funding for Services

The PAYCE Foundation has welcomed the recommendations from the NSW Drug Summit report, which outlines a clear roadmap for expanding drug and alcohol services, particularly to meet the growing needs of regional communities.

The report was recently released following a series of meetings held in Sydney, Griffith, and Lismore last year. Read the full NSW Drug Summit Report here.

The Foundation has partnered with the drug and alcohol rehabilitation organisation Adele House for over 15 years. Together with the NSW Government, it co-funded a new state-of-the-art rehabilitation centre at Bucca, on the Mid-North Coast. The Foundation also supports the ongoing operation of Adele House, which is managed by the St Vincent de Paul Society NSW.

Among its key recommendations, the report calls for a significant increase in funding for alcohol and drug services. It also advocates for funding to be based on a population-based service planning model that includes a focus on equitable access across rural and remote NSW.

PAYCE Foundation director Dominic Sullivan said regional communities across NSW have been deeply affected by drug and alcohol issues and are in desperate need of more services.

“We need to provide services where they can deliver real results—rehabilitating people and helping them return to their families and society,” Mr Sullivan said.

“We also welcome the recommendation to provide five-year funding contracts that include cost escalation. That kind of certainty allows us to maintain service delivery and quality, scale up services, manage rising costs, and meet increasing demand.”

The PAYCE Foundation currently has a shovel-ready site with approved plans for a women’s and family facility just north of Coffs Harbour.

“We are pleased to see that the report specifically highlights the need to expand services for women and mothers,” Mr Sullivan added. “We look forward to continuing our partnership with the NSW Government to implement these recommendations.”

Delivering food and human connection all across Sydney

Sometimes pulling on a single thread unravels something much larger…

Such was the case for Paula Nicolas, founder of the St Merkorious Charity, when she started cooking meals for six local families who were struggling to put food on their table.

She pulled on that thread and discovered the food insecurity in her immediate community was evidence of a much bigger need.

Little did she know that many years later, she would be running a sophisticated logistical operation that delivers over 200,000 healthy meals annually to people in need across Sydney.

St Merkorious’ small team of staff — together with hundreds of dedicated volunteers — acquire, prepare, and deliver 4000 meals every week to people in over 60 suburbs.

Sadly, their success rests on a food insecurity problem with no end in sight.

Despite the immense wealth enjoyed by some Sydneysiders, many families and individuals — through no fault of their own — struggle to put enough food on the table each day.

This is a growing problem, with millions of Australians wrestling with the cost-of-living crisis.

The PAYCE Foundation has been supporting the St Merkorious food delivery service since its inception over 10 years.

“St Merkorious’ food service does a remarkable job of getting food to people who desperately need it,” said Dominic Sullivan, PAYCE Foundation Director.

“But it’s more than just food they’re delivering – it’s about having someone come to their door and ask how they’re doing.”

“Hard times can fall on any of us, and St Merkorious makes sure that people don’t have to bear the weight alone.”

PAYCE Foundation steps in to support Vinnies Vans program

As more people slip through the social safety net, St Vincent de Paul Society NSW’s Vinnies Van program is bringing on the ground help and support to the homeless across Sydney.

Premier Chris Minns (second from the left) launches a new fundraising drive, with Talal Ghattas, PAYCE Foundation, Yolanda Sainz, CEO of St Vincent De Paul Society NSW, Dominic Sullivan, PAYCE Foundation, Jose Charbel, Vinnies Vans and Tony Wishart, PAYCE Foundation.

The demand for Vinnies services continues to grow, with a surprising number of families seeking help for the first time.

This comes as economic uncertainty both internationally and in Australia has never been greater.

Vinnies Vans are outreach services that provide meals and snacks, blankets, toiletries, hot beverages, and, most importantly, companionship and referrals where needed to people experiencing or at risk of homelessness.

The Vans operate across Greater Sydney and in targeted regional areas, ensuring they reach highly at-risk community members with additional wrap-around community services.

That’s why the PAYCE Foundation is a major supporter of the program, previously donating two vans valued at over $300,000 and now a further $30,000 for wrap-around services at a fundraising event launched by NSW Premier Chris Minns in Sydney.

“The St Vincent de Paul Society NSW has a well-established presence in communities all across the state and provides important relief to people through its members and services every day,” Mr Minns said recently.

“I’ve seen first-hand the impact Vinnies NSW has been able to make for people in crisis and with early intervention support.”

The PAYCE Foundation’s $30,000 donation will go directly to helping people struggling to connect with critical support services.

St Vincent De Paul Society CEO Yolanda Saiz said that last financial year the Vinnies Van supported over 100,000 people.

“We’ve seen a dramatic increase in the number of people seeking assistance from our van services, including people in secure employment who are reaching out due to cost-of-living pressures,” said Ms Saiz said.

“Four in five people seeking assistance from our members over the past year have requested assistance with food and this has meant we’ve needed to expand our services to meet the need that exists in the community,” said Ms Saiz.

PAYCE Foundation Director Dominic Sullivan said: “Social inequality and disadvantage is prolific across Sydney and NSW, and many people are now experiencing food insecurity for the first time.

“The pain felt by so many people is placing more demand on services that are also facing increasing costs.

“The Vinnies Van program is not only effective in giving people a helping hand with the essentials but connecting them with support that can help them get back on their feet and live a fulfilling life.

“That’s why the PAYCE Foundation has made this donation.”