Photo: Supplied.
BY ASHLEIGH HOWARTH
Golden Cockerel CEO Dennis Stark will swap comfort for concrete on June 18, joining other business leaders at the Vinnies CEO Sleepout to raise funds and awareness for Australians experiencing homelessness.
Encouraged to take part by a colleague involved with Vinnies, Dennis – who leads the Mount Cotton-based business – said the event quickly resonated with both his personal values and his company’s mission.
“When I looked into it, I realised it aligned really well with the Golden Cockerel purpose of enriching our community and it was something I could do to utilise my network of team members, suppliers, contractors and customers,” he said.
After participating in the Sleepout for the first time last year, Dennis learnt what it was like to sleep on the cold ground with only cardboard for insulation.
“I hardly slept so I had lots of time to think while rolling over what felt like every five minutes,” he said.
“It would be extremely hard to have to do it night after night by yourself in a less secure environment – constant fatigue and deterioration in physical and mental health could spiral badly.
“You realise a safe place to sleep is critical.
“I still remember the next morning getting up at 5:00am, packing up and heading off to work dead tired, stiff and looking for a coffee.”
This year’s event will be held at Roma Street Parkland on what is expected to be Brisbane’s coldest and longest night of the year.
Across Australia, over 122,000 people are experiencing homelessness including families impacted by the cost-of-living crisis, 17,000 children under 12, and a growing number of older women.
Many are living in cars, on the streets, or in unsafe housing.
For Dennis, one of the most powerful aspects of the Sleepout is hearing directly from people who have experienced sleeping rough.
“These people become the strongest ambassadors, which tells me how powerful an organisation like Vinnies can be – they are a force for good,” he said.
His fundraising efforts have also more than doubled this year, rising from $11,637 in 2025 to surpassing his goal of $20,000 this year.
Funds raised through the Sleepout support crisis accommodation, meals, domestic violence services, and long-term housing solutions for those in need.
To donate or to register for the Sleepout, visit the Vinnies CEO Sleepout website.
