Oasis Sleepout doubles target goal to hit $60,000
If you met with industry folks on Friday, they might have been a little worse for wear after spending the night sleeping in a carpark for the inaugural Oasis Sleepout on Thursday night.
Over 45 representatives from media and creative took up the challenge to join the committee’s first Oasis Sleepout and were tasked with raising $500 each, making the target total $30,000.
Oasis Chair Michelle Testa and the committee wanted to immerse the industry in an experience that is sadly all too common and allow The Salvation Army to demonstrate a taste of what it’s like for homeless in Australia.
The Salvation Army’s Guy Rees, said: “Nearly 40,000 children and young people have nowhere to live across Australia, around 9,500 are aged between 15 -17 (Western Australia 2,600).
Over 30% of the children and young people identify as First Nations. These 40,000 children and young people have presented at homelessness services across the country with over 44% accessing homelessness services are still homeless after initial support.”
The initial $30k was reached with a week to go, another $10k added in 24 hours before the sleepout with participants arriving to their ‘home’ for the night, with a total of $50k.
“What started as a small idea to continue to connect our event to its core purpose, quickly became the most talked about event in the industry – and for good reason. Waking up this morning and knowing I could have a hot shower and grab a strong coffee before retiring to bed tonight, is not the luxury those living rough have,” says Michelle Testa, Oasis Chair.
Testa adds: “I’m absolutely blown away with the generosity of those who did not hesitate to sleep out and for the Salvation Army in creating such an immersive experience, to have a night in their shoes”
Pushing the donation over $60,000 was a donation major sponsor, Crown Resorts and their Foundation, donating $100 to each of the 47 that slept out.
Kelly Townson, Group General Manager, Crown Resorts Foundation, said: “The Crown Resorts Foundation takes immense pride in once again supporting the Oasis Ball, The Salvation Army, and the media, marketing, and advertising industry of Perth who slept out for Oasis. It is truly inspiring to witness the collective desire of so many individuals to give back to our community and we are delighted to be able to make a $100 donation to support each of the 47 sleepout participants.”
These funds go directly to The Salvation Army for The Oasis Project.
Rees added: “WA youth service provides invaluable holistic support to children and young people experiencing these challenges. We provide crisis support, transitional housing and pathways into community housing and private rental, education and training.
“Our model of care “journey to independence ” enables us to walk alongside young people meeting them where they are and journeying together to a safe and brighter future.”
Attendees heard from a past TSA client about their lived homelessness experience from the early age of 14. It was a touching tribute to the importance of connection, safety and family in creating a home. Following, TSA led a tour to key hotspots within the CBD, shifting attendees perspectives on city infrastructure and what we may see in our day to day walking the city streets.
The evening concluded with a session at The Beacon, a short to medium term accommodation for up to 90 displaced people where the current cost of living and housing crisis was put into a completely new perspective.
To see some behind the scenes from the night, visit the Oasis Ball Instagram.
If you’d like to add your support, please give generously: https://fundraise.salvationarmy.org.au/t/oasis-sleepout-2025
What a great way to open the 2025 donations! There’s more in store before the main act, so stay tuned and don’t forget to book your tickets.
Oasis Ball ‘On Broadway’
Theatre: Crown Towers Ballroom
Opening: 6.00pm (curtains up: 6.30pm)
Tickets: Online here or contact Alicia Campbell at oasisballtickets@gmail.com
A big thanks to Nick and Jamie from Apertunity for capturing the night.
2 Comments
Awesome effort by everyone involved.
An invaluable, life-changing experience. Huge congratulations to Michelle Testa and the incredible Oasis team for orchestrating such a meaningful and inspiring event.