SLEEP UNDER THE STARS 2023 EVENT GUIDE

Welcome to Sleep Under the Stars 2023!

The team at Stepping Stone House are thrilled you’ve joined us to raise $1,200,000 to provide safety and support 48 young Australians facing homelessness.

As well as hosting our in person event at the iconic Cockatoo Island/Wareamah in Sydney, we also invite you to participate from wherever you are by joining our virtual event – we’ll have people joining us from their couches, backyards, verandahs and even the back of their utes, all over Australia and the world!

This Event Guide contains information on what to expect of your Sleep Under the Stars experience on Friday 27 October 2027.

And don’t worry, if you simply can’t participate on Friday 27 October, you can sleep out any time in October 2023.

 

CLICK HERE TO JOIN THE LIVE STREAM EVENT AT 8PM ON FRIDAY 27 OCTOBER


Event timings (AEDT)

  •  

    Mid-afternoon

    If you are joining us from a safe place of your choosing, set up camp and take photos and videos of the process to share on social media

  •  

    5:00pm

    If you are joining us at Cockatoo Island/Wareamah in Sydney, grab your sleepout site and start building your shelter. You too can take photos and videos to share on social media.

  •  

    6:00pm

    Dinner service begins (until 8pm). Enjoy soup and a sausage sizzle, thanks to the generosity of Cockatoo Overboard. Vegetarian options also available and the café will also be open until 9pm for any additional purchases.

  •  

    7:45pm

    Ensure that your shelters are built and ready for judging!

  •  

    8:00pm

    Our live event begins! You can also join us online for the live stream!

  •  

    8:50pm

    Highest Individual & Team Fundraiser prizes awarded

  •  

    9:00pm – 10:00pm

    Enjoy your Sleepout experience, post reflections and images on social media, make a last call for more donations, then settle in for some sleep

  •  

    Overnight

    Sleep Under the Stars and while you do, we ask that you spare a thought for young people who do this every night. Thanks to you, some won’t have to

  •  

    6:00AM

    Sunrise Yoga Session

  •  

    6:30am

    Wake and enjoy breakfast with a spectacular view of Sydney Harbour. Thanks to Cockatoo Overboard.

  •  

    7:00am

    Social media prize awarded

  •  

    7:15am

    Morning ferry services to leave Cockatoo Island/Wareamah in Sydney commence.

WHERE IS COCKATOO ISLAND/WAREAMAH?

Cockatoo Island/Wareamah is located 15-20 mins from the Sydney CBD in the Parramatta River between Woolwich in the north and Balmain in the south.

HOW DO I GET THERE?

The easiest way to get to Cockatoo Island/Wareamah in Sydney is by public ferry. The F3 and F8 services operate to Cockatoo Island/Wareamah in Sydney daily, departing from Circular Quay and Barangaroo as well as from wharves along Parramatta River. For further information, including timetables, visit the Transport NSW website.

Please ensure that you plan your trip to and from Cockatoo Island/Wareamah in Sydney in advance of the event.

WHAT DO I BRING?

We recommend that you bring a few things to make your evening as enjoyable as possible:

  • Sleeping bag
  • Pillow
  • Sleeping Mat
  • Snacks
  • Decorations for your cardboard shelter
  • A change of clothes and toiletries

Food and drinks will be available for purchase at dinnertime. Or you are welcome to bring a picnic dinner, but remember this is a dry event so please do not bring any alcohol.

How does the live event work?

All registered participants of Sleep Under the Stars will receive information on day to join the livestream event. For everyone else a link will be shared on this page to join the live event which will kick off at 8:00pm AEDT Friday 27 October 2023.

No one will be able to see or hear you, so if possible we encourage you to watch on a laptop or cast to your TV so you can watch it all unfold on the big screen!

You’ll hear from Stepping Stone House CEO Jason Juretic, inspirational young people you’ve helped in the past and present and youth workers who will share their insights from the coalface. Prizes for the highest fundraisers and most creative shelters will also be announced.

You are welcome to invite your friends, family and colleagues to join in the presentations.

What do you need to do?

  •  Share the event link with everyone you want to take part – your family, friends, colleagues, even supporters who you think would benefit from joining our event community. The more the merrier!
  •  Post frequently on your social channels and use the hashtag #SUTS2023. We’re on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn so be sure to tag us!
  •  Consider drafting an SMS to your contacts to make a last-minute appeal to boost your fundraising before the announcement of Highest Fundraiser

Other than that, sit back, relax, and enjoy!

WHAT PRIZES ARE AVAILABLE ON THE NIGHT?

Thanks to our incredible partners and local businesses, there are some amazing donated prizes for this year’s Sleep Under the Stars!

  • Four-hour sailing experience on board ‘Fidelis’ for up to eight people including light refreshments. Thanks to Nigel Stokes and Jane Recny.
  • One night stay in a City Harbour guest room with breakfast for two people. Thanks to the Park Hyatt.
  • The Barista Express Impress Coffee Machine. Thanks to Breville.
  • 12 week training program for one. Thanks to Nigel O’Brien Health & Fitness.
  • 13 person brewery and distillery experience. Thanks to Young Henrys.
  • 2 x Family Tickets including a behind-the-scenes Giraffe experience for 4. Thanks to Taronga Zoo.
  • One night stay for two people in a Premium Waterfront Tent. Thanks to Cockatoo Island.
  • Cut, blow dry & hair treatment. Thanks to Lemonade Hair Boutique.
  • $250 Cantina The Rocks dinner voucher. Thanks to El Camino.
  • One night accommodation in a Signature Deluxe King Room. Thanks to The Grace Sydney.
  • $200 Budgy Smuggler voucher. Thanks to Budgy Smuggler.
  • 4 movie tickets. Thanks to Ritz Cinemas.
MOST LIKES ON SOCIAL MEDIA COMPETITION RULES

All you have to do is upload your best, most creative photo to Instagram, Facebook or LinkedIn. The photo must be of your Sleep Under the Stars experience or fundraising efforts, with the post requesting to donate to Sleep Under the Stars.

T&C's: You MUST use the correct hashtag #SUTS23

  • Your post MUST be set to public/global so we can find it!
    • MOST CREATIVE SHELTER SCORING GUIDE

    Build the most creative shelter to win! Points are given for:

    • Sturdiness of the construction
    • Design ingenuity
    • The logo on the boxes to be visible & upright
    • Decoration & aesthetics
    • Team enthusiasm

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