Despite the prospect of a sleepless night followed by a full day of work, Mr Buckley was upbeat and said it was an important cause to get behind. 

“No one is immune to homelessness,” he said.

“Without dramatising it too much it can be easy to end up in a position where you don’t have a home if you don’t have a family or community and lose your job.”

Mr Buckley said last year the Wodonga Catholic College’s principal and deputy participated.

It’s the first year Mr Buckley and Mr Mason from Catholic College have participated but they hope it will help students understand the reality of homelessness. 

Mr Buckley said year nine students were heavily involved with Carevan and the school had a special relationship with the organisation. 

“The students appreciate what they have more,” he said.

“They understand Albury-Wodonga is not immune to homelessness or people struggling to put food on the table.”

Carevan chief executive Stacey Franklin said more than 100 people were expected to attend the Sleep Out. 

She said it was an important night to raise awareness for those doing it tough and to congratulate people for their ongoing support. 

“We want to raise awareness of homelessness in all its shapes and forms including hidden homelessness,” she said.

“We want to make people aware of the different types of homelessness and what goes on in the community.”

Mrs Franklin said many people still didn’t understand the extent of homelessness in the region because it was not always visible.

“Most people generally see homelessness as someone with a cardboard box in the CBD,” she said.

“We don’t see that in Albury-Wodonga, so people don’t think we have homelessness. But people sleep in cars or group accommodation.”

Mrs Franklin said it was important everyday residents and those with the power to make change, understood what it was like for those sleeping rough. 

“Cathy McGowan has come the past two years which is fantastic,” she said.

“For her to see through her own eyes what’s in the local community and what we’re trying to do.

“It’s important so she can take it back when she’s talking to pollies.”

Mrs Franklin said the night was not just about acknowledging the homelessness problem but also about thanking people who make a difference.