Stable One welcomed people passionate about the plight of homeless people from around the country over the weekend for a conference on the benefits of safe, community-based shelters.
Held at Eva Burrows College in Ringwood over Friday 14 and Saturday 15 November, attendees came from Queensland, Western Australia and across Victoria who either run a winter shelter or are interested in establishing one in their community.
Stable One chief executive Katherine Kirkwood said as a small grassroots charity based in the Yarra Valley, it’s always incredible to see how far the impact of Stable One’s work has reached.
“Preparing for the event involved months of planning – coordinating presenters, preparing workshop content, gathering stories and data from across our Network, and arranging accommodation and logistics for attendees coming from interstate, there was a real sense of anticipation leading into the weekend, and I’m so pleased at how it all went,” she said.
“We had approximately 50 people attend across the Friday night and Saturday program, this included representatives from our Winter Shelter Affiliates in Frankston, Wangaratta, Bass Coast, Bendigo, Benalla, Toowoomba, Gympie and Nambour, and of course from our own Yarra Valley Winter Shelter.
“We also welcomed emerging groups exploring shelters in Bundoora, Mildura, Bunbury and Warragul and key local partners such as Anchor Community Care also attended, as well as several Stable One Board members.”
In 2025, eight winter shelters operated in over 60 partner churches, staffed by over 1300 volunteers, homing 180 guests for nearly 3500 ‘bed nights’. Two more affiliates of the Winter Shelter Network are working on starting up in 2026.
Ms Kirkwood said the diversity of the group – volunteers, pastors, welfare workers, coordinators, Council representatives and community leaders – made for really good conversation, and the feedback they have received tells them that this is what participants appreciate the most.
“Connecting with others who have a similar commitment to supporting people facing homelessness, learning new ideas and exploring our differences and similarities is hugely encouraging for those who attend,” she said.
“The conference was incredibly important while each region has its own challenges and strengths, homelessness is a shared social issue – and bringing people together to listen, learn and encourage one another is vital.
“The work is undeniably hard and complex, to be with like-minded people, and to foster this sense of shared mission, helps project coordinators and volunteers feel supported – it also shows others that perhaps they can do it to.”
The conference focused on three main themes:
Hospitality and justice – Ms Kirkwood and Board Consultant Dr David Wilson reflected on the very “un-religious” and radically ordinary hospitality demonstrated by Jesus, and explored how the concept of social justice is so intricately woven throughout the bible.
Mental health and empathy – where attendees heard from Leanne Nicholson and the Opening Doors team at Anchor Community Care who provided key tips on engaging with, and caring for, those who are struggling with mental ill-health.
Restorative practice – Project Coordinator of Wang Night Shelter Di Duursma helped attendees see how conflict experienced within shelters, when addressed through the right lens, can become an opportunity for growth and healing.
Ms Kirkwood said for her, the biggest takeaway was the widespread excitement for this community-driven initiative.
“Winter Shelter isn’t a top-down program – it grows through relationships, generosity and local leadership, hearing stories from so many regions, and seeing how each shelter is making waves beyond their own community, confirmed again that this movement really is what we call a repeatable and contagious miracle,” she said.
“My hope is that more regions will feel inspired to explore establishing a Winter Shelter program in their own communities, already this year we had welcomed four new Affiliates to our Winter Shelter Network – at the Conference we announced the fifth – Nambour in Queensland.
“When a small, grass-roots Yarra Valley charity can help spark and support this kind of movement across multiple states, it really shows what’s possible when communities collaborate, I’m so proud of this good work our founder, Jenny Willetts, began back in 2017, and it’s an absolute privilege to help lead it forward.”
Attendees also broke up into small groups at different times to address relevant questions, covering topics such as mental health, the ‘alongsider’ role, volunteer management and the affiliation process with Stable One.
“It’s so uplifting to be part of a growing faith movement, knowing Shelters have a proven role in restoring hope & creating connection,” Toowoomba Winter Shelter project coordinator Helen McGrath said.
“Thank you for bringing us all together.”
