Mandurah service providers celebrate Homeless Awareness Day

The day-long event started as a small awareness campaign almost a decade ago with a single information marquee and a small gas burner to prepare a free cup of tea.

Ten years later, the event has grown to become the biggest homelessness awareness event outside of the metropolitan area, featuring more than 30 service providers, live entertainment, freebies, food and plenty of information. 

The main goal of the event is to raise awareness among the general population about issues surrounding homelessness and to link people in need with the different services available. 

This year’s event included free clothing, blankets, toiletries and food up for grabs, live music and entertainment, a hairdresser, arts and crafts workshops, facepainting and plenty of giveaways.

Service providers West Aus Crisis, Passages, Palmerston, Calvary, Pat Thomas House, Peel Community Kitchen, Halo, Orange Sky Laundry, Peel Connect, Peel Youth Medical Services, Centrelink and GP Down South among others braved the weather to set up their stalls and spread the word about their services.

Local artist Helen Coleman also created an art installation with messages about what homelessness means to local residents and Passages ran their first couch surfing race.