Organised in partnership with Vinnies NSW with the goal of reaching $50,000 by September 30, 2026, this funding translates into shelter for the night, warm meals, assistance and dignity for people experiencing homelessness across Greater Western Sydney.
The initiative, which saw members, supporters, suppliers and the Club Marconi Board spend a night sleeping in their cars to raise awareness about homelessness, has now become a regular fixture in the club’s charitable calendar.
It says a great deal about the nature of the institution itself: not only a place for social life and the celebration of Italian culture, but also a benchmark for solidarity and practical support for those in need.
Sleeping in a car for one night may seem like a small sacrifice, yet it is an experience that leaves a lasting impression. It offers, even if only briefly, an insight into what it means to live without a secure roof over one’s head, without a warm place to retreat to, without the basic certainty that so many of us take for granted.
For those who take part in the Car Sleepout, that uncomfortable night becomes a moment of reflection on the fragility of our own security and on the privilege of having a home to return to the next day.
The most important aspect of the initiative, however, is not symbolic but practical, tangible and measurable. The funds raised will go directly towards supporting additional night-time outreach services for individuals and families in difficulty within the local community, through the Vinnies Vans operating across Greater Western Sydney.
Josie Charbel, State Manager of Vinnies Vans NSW, welcomed the continued support of Club Marconi with gratitude and enthusiasm. Also present at the event were Lisa Kazzi, State Support Manager, and Joy Kiriacou, Director of Programs for NSW.
Representing Club Marconi were CEO Matteo Biviano, Vice President Sam Noiosi and board members Gaetano Zangari and Dino Zonta, who have been key drivers of the initiative.
The Vinnies Vans are far more than food trucks. They are mobile points of connection for people living on the margins of society. Each evening, these vans travel through Sydney and its surrounding suburbs, offering not only hot meals, blankets and clothing, but also a listening ear, respect and a moment of human connection for people who are often made to feel invisible.
Thanks to the contribution from Club Marconi, the Vinnies Vans will be able to increase the number of nights they operate, reach more people and provide more comprehensive support.
This means more meals served, more blankets distributed during cold nights and more conversations that can make a real difference in someone’s life.
The success of the second annual Car Sleepout shows that the model works and that the community responds generously when called upon to make a difference. The active involvement of members, supporters and suppliers highlights the existence of a strong support network that extends beyond formal club membership, helping to build a broader and more cohesive social fabric.
Aware of the importance of this commitment, the Club Marconi Board has already confirmed that its partnership with Vinnies NSW will continue in 2026 and beyond.
This is not a one-off charitable gesture, but a long-term commitment and a clear decision to play an active role in responding to community needs.
There is something deeply meaningful in seeing a club founded to preserve and celebrate Italian culture also become a driver of social solidarity. It shows that cultural identity is not about closing in on oneself, but about openness; not about nostalgia alone, but about building bridges and taking responsibility for the present and the future.
The Italian migrants who founded Club Marconi understood well what it meant to face hardship in a new country and to start again from scratch, sometimes without a support network. Perhaps it is this shared history that continues to inspire the club’s commitment to those experiencing marginalisation and exclusion today.
At a time when social inequality is becoming increasingly visible and the number of people experiencing homelessness continues to rise, even in a prosperous city like Sydney, initiatives such as the Club Marconi Car Sleepout take on even greater significance.
They demonstrate that solidarity is not an abstract concept but a concrete action, that community can be stronger than indifference and that each of us has the ability to make a difference.
With its commitment already confirmed for 2026, Club Marconi once again proves itself not only a custodian of cultural traditions, but also a living example of how a community organisation can be a force for positive social change.
The funds raised will not solve homelessness in Sydney, but they will make nights a little warmer and a little less lonely for dozens of people. And that alone makes every effort worthwhile.
