QUEENSLAND INDEPENDENT EDUCATION UNION INDEPENDENT EDUCATION UNION OF AUSTRALIA – QUEENSLAND & NORTHERN TERRITORY BRANCH BRISBANE 346 TURBOT ST SPRING HILL QLD 4000 PO BOX 418 FORTITUDE VALLEY
Phone: 07 3839 7020 Fax: 07 3839 7021 Freecall: 1800 177937 Email: enquiries@qieu.asn.au Internet: www.qieu.asn.au ABN: 45 620 218 712
Tuesday, 12 June 2012
Eq12~20ec
Action on Homelessness
CHAPTER BRIEFING No.1
Queensland Unions Rise to the Challenge Dear Colleagues On Thursday 21 June 2012 the annual St Vincent de Paul (Vinnies) CEO Sleepout will take place in Brisbane and other capital cities across Australia. This event challenges community and business leaders to experience homelessness first-hand for one night and to raise important funds, to help Vinnies help the nation’s homeless. Queensland unions promote social justice, as well as wage justice. After taking part in the event last year, IEUA-QNT Assistant General Secretary Ros McLennan will again rise to the challenge in support of St Vincent de Paul. Chapters are invited to donate to the Vinnie’s homeless appeal by sponsoring Ros in this event. Our union also commends David Hutton, Executive Director at Brisbane Catholic Education Office, and Peter Chapman, Principal at St Joseph’s College, Gregory Terrace, who are both participating in this year’s event. CEO Sleepout The Vinnies CEO Sleepout began as a local community venture in Sydney five years ago and in 2010 became a national event raising close to three million dollars to directly assist people experiencing homelessness. The money so far has funded new projects, assisted with the provision of existing homeless services and allowed Vinnies homeless services to expand their programs to assist the homeless through crisis accommodation, domestic violence support and access to counselling, life and occupational skills, legal advice and education. IEUA-QNT, in conjunction with other Queensland Unions, is committed to collectively working for a better life for all Queenslanders.
All Queenslanders deserve a fair-go The number of people who are homeless or at risk of being homeless continues to rise. The new face of homelessness includes families staying in their cars, caravan parks and an increasing number of people, particularly young people, living a transient life ‘couch surfing.’ Every month in Brisbane, Vinnies helps more than 4,000 families in crisis, despite this, close to 2,100 men and women are homeless every night. Last year, the Brisbane CEO Sleepout raised over $500,000 which assisted in funding more than 100 new homes in areas of great need across Queensland. Chapter support invited Queensland Unions are working hard for a better life for all and are committed to making sure Queenslanders are treated fairly and justly. Chapters are encouraged to hold a special morning tea to raise money for the Vinnies homeless appeal. A gold coin donation by Chapter members may be appropriate. Chapters may make payment to the Vinnies homelessness appeal online by going to Ros McLennan’s profile to donate at http://www.ceosleepout.org.au/ceos/qld-ceos/profile/?ceo=1253 Collectively we as union members can make change, bettering the lives of Queenslanders in need. Kind regards
TERRY BURKE SECRETARY