Gallery Central

Vinnies launch Winter Appeal 2008 aided by blessings from Arch Bishop Hickey

The St Vincent de Paul Society will attempt to put a human face on homelessness today at the launch of the 2008 Winter Appeal by showcasing an exhibition of photographs taken by those who witness poverty every day in Western Australia.

Every night over 100,000 Australian’s sleep homeless and a quarter of those are children under the age of 18, providing more reason to highlight their desperate plight as winter begins. Disposable cameras were sent out to people in need and to those who provide assistance and were asked to capture a snapshot of their lives and what they witness. The result is a gallery full of eye-opening photographs on display over the next two days at the Central Design Centre in Northbridge.

The St Vincent de Paul Society’s State President Genevieve De Souza hopes that by showcasing these photographs people will stop seeing the homeless as a ‘faceless population’ but as someone’s brother, sister, mother, or loved one. “In today’s society, homelessness doesn’t carry the same connotations as it used to, now the homeless is the family down the road whose rent has just gone up again and whose pay no longer covers the bills, food and education expenses” she said. “One in four Australian households is just three pay packets away from homelessness; and currently the Society’s Call Centre in Belmont is receiving over 500 calls for assistance a week predominantly asking for food, proving that feeding the family is becoming impossible for many.”

The Society’s busiest time is winter and this years appeal aims to raise $600,000 to ensure no one should have to go hungry or sleep in the cold this winter. “The Society doesn’t just want to help people in the short term, we work to provide those in need of assistance with long term solutions through

Exhibition runs until Friday 6 June from 10am – 3pm at Central TAFE Showcase Space Gallery, 12 Aberdeen St, Perth