Small acts of kindness make meaningful difference

By Wendy Shaw

Raising awareness of homelessness, particularly on the North West Coast, was one of the motivations behind a winter sleepout event in Burnie.

Some 17 Marist Regional College students and two staff members took part in the 2026 Vinnies Winter Sleepout on school grounds outside and inside the Harcombe Centre, with other staff visiting during the evening.

The students held a can drive for Vinnies and also raised about $50 to help support people experiencing homelessness and hardship.

The event, on 21-22 August, reminded participants that small acts of kindness can make a meaningful difference.

MRC Religion and Social Justice Group Coordinator Caroline Brett explained that this is an annual event for Year 11 students, who gain community hours for their RE course while also supporting a worthwhile cause.

“Students received soup and a sandwich from Vinnies as a way to make the experience as authentic as possible although we did sleep inside later in the evening,” Mrs Brett said.

“Student had meagre bedding and many were very cold and physically uncomfortable when the woke up in the morning. Not many managed more than five hours sleep.”

The group was grateful for the support, including the generous donations of canned and dried food for the St Vincent de Paul Society.