Stable One

31/08/2026

💙 And just like that, another Winter Shelter season has come to an end.

How do we feel at the end of it? Honestly, it's a mixture of emotions.

There's gratitude – for every volunteer, church, meal and bed, and for every person who helped create a place of warmth and welcome.

There's joy – for the friendships, laughter, and for those guests who have been able to take positive steps forward during their time with us.

But there's also sadness.

We know the reality is that not every guest leaves the shelter with a clear path ahead. For some, the uncertainty that was there at the beginning of winter is still very real.

We do hope, however, that every guest carries with them a greater sense of hope – knowing that there are people who care enough to make a difference where they can, and a community willing to walk alongside them, wherever they are on their journey.

To every guest who trusted us enough to be part of our shelter community this winter – thank you. And to the hundreds of people who made it possible – thank you for showing up. 💙

28/08/2026

Big thanks to Rapid Relief Team AU!

28/08/2026

📅 𝗦𝗔𝗩𝗘 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘 – 𝗪𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗦𝗵𝗲𝗹𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗡𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲

Booking details are coming soon for this year's Winter Shelter Network Conferences – and this year, we're gathering in two locations!

📍 𝗦𝘂𝗻𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗮𝘀𝘁, 𝗤𝗟𝗗 – 𝟲-𝟳 𝗡𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿
📍 𝗥𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘄𝗼𝗼𝗱, 𝗩𝗜𝗖 – 𝟮7-𝟮8 𝗡𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿

These conferences are an opportunity for those already involved in Winter Shelters – or those interested in exploring the model – to come together, learn from one another, share experiences and be encouraged for the work ahead.

Whether you're a Project Coordinator, leadership team member, church leader, volunteer, or simply wondering whether a Winter Shelter could work in your community, we'd love you to join us.

Expect honest conversations, shared stories, fresh perspectives and plenty of opportunities to connect with others who understand both the joys and challenges of Winter Shelters.

Save the date(s) and keep an eye out – full details and bookings will be available soon! 👀

27/08/2026

💚 What a wonderful night of community, connection and possibility!

A huge thank you to everyone who joined us last night for our 𝑪𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒖𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒚 𝑫𝒊𝒏𝒏𝒆𝒓 & 𝑴𝒐𝒗𝒊𝒆 𝑵𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕 in Lilydale.

A highlight was watching 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑹𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒉 𝑫𝒐𝒄𝒖𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒂𝒓𝒚 – a powerful reminder that tackling homelessness calls for creative thinking, collaboration and making better use of the accommodation assets already within our communities.

We were also delighted to officially launch the 𝑲𝒊𝒓𝒓𝒊𝒑 𝑪𝒂𝒓𝒅, another practical example of what can happen when a community comes together to support people experiencing or at risk of homelessness.

A very special thank you to 𝐓𝐨𝐦 𝐀𝐥𝐞𝐱𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 from Yarra Ranges Council and Ant Pitt for instigating the event and bringing us together, and to our event partners Anchor Community Care and Holy Fools.

Thank you also to everyone who generously contributed to the evening – including: - Rapid Relief for their generous catering
- Those who donated goods for our silent auction, including Chemist Warehouse and Bridget Vallence MP
- Reading Cinemas for supplying the popcorn that made our movie night complete! 🍿

And, of course, thank you to everyone who came along, contributed, bid, connected and joined the conversation. It was so great to spend this time with you all.

23/08/2026

We're looking forward to welcoming everyone on Wednesday night.

If you've been meaning to book, now's the time! We'd love you to join us.

🎟 https://www.trybooking.com/DOLZG

20/08/2026

💙 A wonderful weekend in Toowoomba!

Stable One's Katherine and Sharon recently had the privilege of spending a few days with our friends at Winter Shelter Toowoomba.

We visited the shelter in action at two different locations, shared lunch with members of the leadership team, and joined three local churches on Sunday – a wonderful opportunity to personally thank them for the incredible contribution they've made, not only in Toowoomba, but to the wider Winter Shelter Network.

Over the years, the Toowoomba team has truly caught the vision of churches working together to care for people experiencing homelessness, and their encouragement and advocacy for the broader network has been invaluable.

A huge thank you to everyone - but especially Project Coordinators Peter and Helen - who welcomed us so generously and made time to share, connect and learn together.

We look forward to being back in Queensland in November for our Queensland Winter Shelter Network Conference!

19/08/2026

𝐎𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐤 𝐭𝐨 𝐠𝐨!

Join us for dinner, an inspiring documentary, the launch of the Kirrip Card and an opportunity to support local responses to homelessness.

We'd love to see you there. Book your tickets here: https://www.trybooking.com/DOLZG

19/08/2026

We're so grateful to the Sisters of Charity Foundation for sharing this story from the Yarra Valley Winter Shelter – and, importantly, for helping make stories like this possible.

As one of Stable One's valued grant funders, their support helps us continue creating places of warmth, dignity, connection and community for people experiencing homelessness.

We're incredibly thankful for partners who believe in this work and choose to invest in it. 💙

“Being off the ground and warm inside is amazing… Being inside, safe, respected and able to be clean,” were what one guest valued most about her time at the Yarra Valley Winter Shelter, operated by our Community Grants recipient charity Stable One.

“When we asked what she valued most about her time at the shelter, she didn't talk about grand gestures. She talked about the things many of us take for granted,” says Stable One CEO Katherine Kirkwood.

In partnership with local churches, the Yarra Valley Winter Shelter runs nightly with the support of around 150 volunteers who offer meals, warm beds, and a sense of community. The shelter exists to create a place of rest, care and connection, helping guests feel less alone and more supported.

“Over time, she became part of the life of the shelter – sharing meals, joining in games around the table, laughing with volunteers and fellow guests, and gradually finding a place where she felt safe, known and valued,” says Katherine.

“She also reflected on the positive influence of the shelter community itself, saying, ‘It has made me cut back on alcohol and drugs, thinking of volunteers and other sleepers.’

“By the end of her stay, she was ready to take an important next step on her journey – something we celebrated with her and continue to pray for. Before leaving, she shared one final reflection that has stayed with all of us: ‘This program saved me from suffering in so many ways, I cannot list them all.’

“We know the Yarra Valley Winter Shelter can't solve every challenge our guests face. But we can offer warmth, stability and a community that continues to welcome people, even when the journey isn't straightforward.

“Sometimes, that's exactly what's needed for hope to take root.”

16/08/2026

We wanted this event to be accessible to everyone.

That's why we've chosen a 𝐏𝐚𝐲 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤 model. Every ticket purchased helps support the work of Anchor Community Care Ltd., Stable One and Holy Fools .

Get yours here: https://www.trybooking.com/DOLZG

13/08/2026

Every community has people willing to help.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐊𝐢𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐩 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐝 brings together local businesses and organisations offering practical and inclusive support to people doing it tough.

Be there as we formally launch this exciting initiative for the Yarra Ranges.

Tickets: https://www.trybooking.com/DOLZG