Neville Tomkins

ACT & Surrounds 2026

One night isn't a lot, but it can make a whole lot of difference

2026 will be Neville's 15th year participating in the CEO Sleepout.


Neville has always been a strong advocate for youth, especially disadvantaged youth.  He completed two terms as President of Scouts Australia (ACT Branch) and is currently an Honorary Commissioner.


Prior to this, he was Chief Commissioner, Scouts NSW, with 7 years of dedicated service.  His role was to reposition the organisation so it could play a vital and exciting role in all communities of NSW – both city and country.  His vision was to substantially increase the number of young people across NSW participating in the world-renowned Scout program.

Neville has also served as the International Commissioner of Scouts Australia.  His work across the Asia-Pacific Region attracted various international recognition awards.


As Chief Commissioner of ACT Scouts for almost 10 years, Neville played an important role in rebuilding Camp Cottermouth, which was destroyed in the 2003 Canberra bushfires.  He actively supported and promoted the Family Support Fund which helped disadvantaged youth to participate in Scouting activities.  He has been the Vice-President of The Arthur Shakespeare Foundation for Scouting.


Neville has served the ACT community for almost 50 years, including as a Justice of the Peace, and as a life-time blood/plasma donor (he has made over 580 donations – a record for the ACT).  He is also a White Ribbon Ambassador for the prevention of abuse towards women and children.  In 2012, he received the Highly Commended Award in the Community Service category, as part of the ACT Volunteer of the Year Awards and was nominated in 2023 for the ABC Community Spirit Award.  In 2021, Neville was awarded Life Membership of Scouts Australia. In 2023, the Governor-General presented Neville with the National President's Award for eminent achievement and exceptional service to Scouts Australia, over a long period in a number of significant roles within the organisation. In 2025, Neville was appointed as a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for significant service to youth through leadership roles in the Scouting movement, and to the community.


Neville retired as First Assistant Secretary with the Department of Defence in 2015 following a 35 year career with the Commonwealth Public Service.  This included 25 years as a Senior Executive.  He is now volunteering full-time for community-based organisations.

So far this year I helped provide

56

Individual support programs

148

Beds

595

Meals

Funds raised over the years

Latest Donations

$5.01k

Tom Thorvaldson, Venturer Leader

$5k

Anonymous

$1.06k

Wendy Smith

Neville - A big thank you for again joining the CEO Sleepout. This is not an easy task or one I am sure that you take lightly in preparing for our harsh winters. Thank you for your care of those who are most vulnerable in our society. Wendy

$1,000

Anonymous

Bravo Neville. Thank you for your tireless work to help those less fortunate than ourselves. Homelessness is not something that should ever be experienced in this prosperous country.

$535.50

Anonymous

Well done, Neville. I hope the evening is not too cold.

$510.50

Bill And Katharine Ranken

Thank you for the leadership Neville. Shocked to read we have 3.7m Australians living in poverty now. No doubt quite a few of whom are homeless.

$500

Robert Cruickshank

$316.50

Antony Keenan

$305.50

Monaro Screens

Great work!

$300

Cwa Gungahlin

Donation from CWA Gungahlin for 2026 CEO Sleepout

$205.50

Amanda Squair

Thank you very much for helping the homeless, Neville.

$205.50

Janice Steinfurth

Thank you Neville for caring for the people less fortunate then ourselves.

$205.50

Anonymous

Congrats, Neville, on undertaking another sleep-out. May you swiftly achieve your fundraising target; and may the night you sleep-out be not too frosty!

$205.50

John Coombe

Well done again Neville

$162.75

Greg Hood

Well done yet again Neville / proud of all you are doing and have done for the community in general, and the homeless in particular. Best regards Greg Hood

$155.50

Lisa Paul

15 years! You are a legend Neville. Well done.

$127.34

Sarah

Best of luck, Neville!

$127.34

John Baker

$127.34

Tony M

Well done Neville for again fundraising for Vinnies

$125.50

Eliza Murray

$125.50

David Jones

Good work Neville,hope you do get too cold.

$125.50

Jackie Stenhouse

$125.50

Olaf Moon

Thanks Neville and good luck that night! This is the fourth request I have had, but it is a good cause.

$125.50

Peter Quiggin

Well done Neville. Your commitment to this cause is inspirational.

$125.50

Anonymous

Keep warm Neville

$106.12

Leo Farrelly

Congratulations Neville. You must have qualified for the long service medal.

$106.12

Malcolm Hazell

Well done Neville - a great cause.

$106.12

Sandra Herrmann

Well done Neville, braving the cold for 15 years (so far) to sleep outside and raise money for homelessness in Australia. Thanks to you being an Ambasssador for St Vincent de Paul more people will have a safe and warm place to sleep at night. Sandra Herrmann

$105.50

Carol And Kevin Cope

All the best with your fund raising. Keep up the good work.

$105.50

Gayle Elizabeth Ginnane

$80.50

R And I Sinclair

$55.50

Jenny Hennessy

$55.50

Mark Butz

$54.84

Jill Pretty

I hope the weather is kind to you

$54.84

Karen Williams

$45.50

Peter Stevenson

$42.50

Raksha

$35.50

Lorna Loadman

$30.50

Julie Long Oam

Great work Neville!!

$30

Andrew Leigh

Neville, 15 years of sleeping rough to support the homeless is a remarkable achievement. Thank you for all you do for scouts and for our community. Warm wishes, Andrew.

$25.50

Anonymous

$25

David Kennemore

Well done!