industry
Nudgee GM to
sleep rough – again
David Newbery
[email protected]
S
LEEPING rough to combat
homelessness doesn’t faze Nudgee Golf
Club general manager Aaron Muirhead.
He did it last year and he’s warming up to do
it again on Thursday, June 19 at The CourierMail Piazza, South Bank Parklands.
He’s also urging other golf club managers to
join him.
“I’m more than happy to sleep rough to
highlight the plight of homelessness in
Australia,” he said. “Business and community
leaders are challenged to experience
homelessness first-hand for just one night.
“I have three children and we come together
every night as a loving family and there’s some
people out there without any love and they’re
just out of luck.
“Participating in this event is one small way
I can help and support the great work that
Vinnies do for unfortunate people.
“At last year’s event, I was extremely shocked
by the different people who found themselves
homeless and I encourage everyone to
volunteer their time to help this cause.
“Listening to their stories and misfortune has
certainly driven me to be involved again this
year and hopefully for many years to come.”
Aaron said he was surprised he was the only
club manager that supported the event in
Queensland.
He said Vinnies provided three pieces of
cardboard.
“It’s not that comfortable and it’s cold,” he
said. “The food is not something that we
would generally eat when at home with our
families. The menu is bread and soup.”
He said the positive side to the event was
engaging with like-minded CEOs.
“The whole experience is very humbling and
gives you an appreciation of the life and family
that you have,” Aaron said.
“The comedy routine provided by the
various mayors that attend the event is
another plus and the breakfast is much better
than the dinner.
“I enjoy listening to the people that Vinnies
have supported over the years and how they
have transformed their lives.”
I ask Aaron why he thinks other club
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managers should join him at the sleepout
event.
“As community clubs, I believe that we, as
managers, should support events such as
these as they provide direct assistance to
people in need,” he said.
“Thirty-three percent of people who
experience homelessness in Australia are
children or young people.
“That is more than 34,000 kids without a
place they can call home.
“And consequently, children in homeless
families are more at risk of experiencing
disadvantage and homelessness over their
lifetime.
“Managers that attend this event will walk
away with a totally different opinion of
homeless people – I know I did.
“This is a fantastic cause and I am really
looking forward to rolling out my sleeping
bag and participating again in 2014.
“I am really passionate about this cause and
therefore urge other golf club managers to
support the event and people in need.”
Last year, Queensland CEOs collected
approximately $750,000 in donations for St
Vincent de Paul Society.
Aaron Muirhead at last year’s Vinnies CEO sleepout.