the Sleepout to End Poverty for Asylum Seekers is on tommorrow night, a sleepout to raise community, government and media awareness about the destitution that asylum seekers are forced to live in. It is a peaceful protest where we will be sleeping out for one night in solidarity with asylum seekers who face a night on the street every night due to poverty.

I am very excited and looking forward to it!

Below is some important info about how it will all work tommorrow night.

What time does it start?

We start the sleepout from 6pm, but if you need to arrive later in the night you can do this as well. The sleepout will end at 6am Saturday morning.

How do I get there?

The sleepout is at 2 Lonsdale Street (Caselden Place) which is the head office for the Department of Immigration. You can get there in the following ways:

- get off the train at parliament train station and exit via the lonsdale street exit, it's 20 metres away across the road

- get off any tram at the top of bourke street in front of parliament house and it's just a 100m walk


What about food?

Please bring food and snacks along for yourself. If you have no time to bring anything there is an IGA supermarket about 100m away that is open till at least 9pm and a 24 hour 7 - 11 just 200m away at the top of bourke street.


What about the rain (you won't get wet if it rains)?

Rain is forecast for tommorrow, but is meant to ease off in the afternoon. We are expecting a top of 19 and an overnight low of 15, so not really cold, but will still be quite chilly in the early hours. Remember you will not get wet at all because the Department of Immigration has a massive roofed covered area in front of it's offices that will protect you from the rain.

What should I wear and sleep in?

Do wear something very warm, make sure to bring a good warm coat or jumper along and wear warm pants/leggings and a sleeping bag to keep you warm during the night, if you don't have a sleeping bag make sure to wear some thermal underwear, thick socks and look for a friend to snuggle up with on the night!

What can I bring along?

Bring banners saying 'End Poverty for Asylum Seekers', 'Sleepout to End Poverty for Asylum Seekers' and musical instruments to help make the night a fun night as well.

What about toilets & first aid?

There are 24 hour public toilets just 50 metres away from where we are sleeping out. Staff from the ASRC will bring extra toilet paper along so if you run out just request toilet paper from someone from the ASRC. The ASRC staff will also have a first aid kit with them should teh need arise for a band aid or anything else.

What if I can't make it but would like to support the ASRC in trying to end poverty for asylum seekers?

If you can't make it, either sponsor someone that you know who is sleeping out or make a tax - deductible donation to the ASRC online by clicking here -> Donate money for food or send donation made out to Asylum Seeker Resource Centre, 67 Jeffcott Street, West Melbourne, 3003.