50,000 PILGRIMS JOINED THE CREAM OF AUSTRALIAN ROCK, ADDING THEIR VOICES TO THE CALL FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE

VINNIES ‘WORLD YOUTH 4 JUSTICE’ Concert ROCKED Barangaroo on Super Thursday

Following the arrival of The Pope to Barangaroo on Super Thursday, 150,000 Pilgrims remained on to rock out with the 13 acts on the bill of the Vinnies World Youth 4 Justice Concert.

Vanessa Amorosi, Diesel, Rick Price and The McClymonts rocked the crowd, who also got a taste of brilliant new talent including Chasing Bailey; The Presence; Zumanity; Shane Fritsch; Encore Vocal Group; Mike McCarthy band, Bianca Nati, MT Hands and the Sydney Street Choir.

Music, performances and powerful video messages highlighted serious issues regarding homelessness, poverty, financial hardship, mental illness and isolation and encouraged youth to take action.

Julie McDonald, Vinnies Spokesperson comments: “The Vinnies World Youth 4 Justice Concert at Barangaroo last night was a huge success. Over 150,000 young people joined Vinnies to make some noise about issues including homelessness, poverty and depression. The Society was encouraged by the youth’s concern for these issues and their response.”

The Facts

* On any given night, more than 100,000 Australians are homeless; nearly half of them are under 25 years of age with the average age being a 34 year old male.
* 54% of homeless people seeking supported accommodation are turned away.
o As many as 4.1 million Australians - 22.6 percent of the population - are living in poverty.
o 1.1 million low-and-middle income Australian households experiencing housing stress are at risk of becoming homeless.
* 1 in 5 Australians experience depression at some stage of their lives.
* More than 1 billion children worldwide live in poverty.
* Over 1 million Vinnies members worldwide offer support and compassion to the poorest of the poor in more than144 countries