Locals just like you slept out in their cars to help folks put homelessness in their pastOn the 13th May 2025 we hosted our third Car Boot Sleepout on the rooftop of the Marrickville Metro shopping centre. The Car Boot Sleepout was an experience like no other.
We asked our community to come together and sleep out in our cars, to stand in solidarity with women and their families, sleep in their cars night after night. We will change this! |
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How it worked
Register
Sign up and get your own fundraising page. Why not get someone else to sleep out with you in your car? |
Get fundraising
Ask your friends and family to support you. We will equip you with all the skills and a personal fundraising coach to help you along the way. |
Sleep Out
Have a memorable night sleeping out on Marrickville Metro roof top. |
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Meet Justine
At 43 years old, with a four-year-old daughter, Justine never imagined she would experience homelessness. This year, she raised funds and awareness by participating in the Car Boot Sleep Out.
Content Warning: This story contains references to mental health struggles, depression and suicide, which may be distressing to some readers. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised that this story may contains references to a deceased person. *name changed
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Justine’s early years were marked by tremendous challenges. Her father passed away by suicide when she was nine years old, and her mother struggled with significant mental health challenges.
“It was not an ideal situation growing up and I experienced a lot of trauma for a child at the time.” Justine learned of her aboriginality when her mother applied for a passport. She then discovered she had been adopted, and her biological mother was a Palawa woman. The Palawa people are the Aboriginal custodians of lutruwita (Tasmania). Justine was 15 years old. “I was very proud of my heritage. But mum did not want to discuss it further or engage with Palawa culture.” Determined to carve out a different future, Justine left home and worked her way across the east coast of Australia before travelling to London. |
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“I loved living abroad. For the first time, I felt free—not judged, just accepted.”
She worked as a nanny, thriving in her newfound independence. She married and together they welcomed a daughter, Rose, a year later. However, the marriage slowly deteriorated, leaving Justine battling deep depression and struggled to keep everything together. “I wasn’t coping well. I had a lot of counselling, but I put Rose first.” In 2010, Justine moved to Sydney with Rose, hoping for a fresh start but without stable employment or financial support, she was put into a precarious situation. They stayed in a spare room with friends, but it turned out to be a hostile environment. “I stayed out of the house every day as long as I could with Rose, and we would sneak into our room to avoid being harassed.” |
Facing the harsh reality of sleeping on a park bench brought Justine to the Newtown Neighbourhood Centre (NNC), where she found the critical support she needed.
“When I first came to NNC, Rose and I were surviving on food from the Hare Krishnas outside the Centre on Bedford Street. NNC helped us find a home, get access to counselling, reconnect to education pathways, the list goes on. NNC became part of our family.”
Despite the instability, Justine remained focused on creating a better future for her daughter. In the absence of friends and family being able to attend, an NNC staff member attended her Food Lab graduation ceremony. They celebrated her hard work and the opportunity to start a new chapter.
“Over the years, the people at NNC have always been there for me. Even when I don’t feel like talking or need immediate support, I am welcome at the Centre. They are truly amazing people.”
“When I first came to NNC, Rose and I were surviving on food from the Hare Krishnas outside the Centre on Bedford Street. NNC helped us find a home, get access to counselling, reconnect to education pathways, the list goes on. NNC became part of our family.”
Despite the instability, Justine remained focused on creating a better future for her daughter. In the absence of friends and family being able to attend, an NNC staff member attended her Food Lab graduation ceremony. They celebrated her hard work and the opportunity to start a new chapter.
“Over the years, the people at NNC have always been there for me. Even when I don’t feel like talking or need immediate support, I am welcome at the Centre. They are truly amazing people.”
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Life began to stabilise when Justine found safe and stable housing through NNC. With our support and her relentless determination, she was rebuilding her life, working at The Big Issue, Two Good, and eventually launching her own food business, Indigibites.
“Food has always been my passion. Growing up in Tassie, we lived off the land—fishing, picnics and making damper.” Today, Justine and Rose live together in the Inner West, their unbreakable bond still strong after all they have experienced. Rose, now thriving, has completed childcare training and is pursuing her own dreams. “Rose is amazing. She’s my rock and has been with me through my lowest points.” For Justine, giving back is a way of life. She volunteers and remains involved in the community. “Even though I have a safe home now, I still want to help others. It’s always been important for me to give back to my local community.” |
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Through everything, Justine’s resilience shines. She finds joy in music and dance, which havecarried her through tough times.
“I’ve danced since I was three, and music—especially Dolly Parton, Roy Orbison and Olivia Newton John — it was healing and I love to sing as well.” Justine’s story is one of perseverance, hope and the power of community. Her journey demonstrates that each of us can make a positive difference. “It’s been a tough ride, but I know I have to keep going. The roller coaster doesn’t stop, but I choose to look at the bright side of life.” |
Justine participated in this year’s Car Boot Sleep Out on 13 May on the Marrickville Metro Shopping Centre rooftop.
Other locals joined her and other community champions to raise critical funds and awareness to ensure other mothers and children have access to the support they need. All fundraising keeps our Drop-in Hub open and funds our Homeless Response Worker who provides essential assistance to rough sleepers across the Inner West.
Justine had a simple message for those considering the Car Boot Sleep Out:
Other locals joined her and other community champions to raise critical funds and awareness to ensure other mothers and children have access to the support they need. All fundraising keeps our Drop-in Hub open and funds our Homeless Response Worker who provides essential assistance to rough sleepers across the Inner West.
Justine had a simple message for those considering the Car Boot Sleep Out:
“Do it. It’s an incredible experience that builds community and reminds us of the challenges others face. I’ve had so much kindness and assistance from NNC. Giving back is an inherent value for me and I hope you will join us.”
