One night isn't a lot, but it can make a whole lot of difference
2025 will be Neville's 14th 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
162
Individual support programs
427
Beds
1710
Meals
As a Vinnies CEO Sleepout Ambassador
I have successfully welcomed 1 new leaders to join me,
and together, we have raised a total of $51329.48.
Funds raised over the years
Latest Donations
$530
Alicia Payne
$211
Mark Richardson
Good luck tonight Neville, sorry this is such a late donation! What a star you are! Mark
$126.62
Sally Deveson
$126.62
Neil Carey
$106.12
Gareth Andrews
Congratulations on reaching your fundraising goal, Neville, for such a great cause. Very proud to be able to support you. Gareth, Andrea, Lucia and Arthur.
$525
David And Amanda Miller
Well done Neville. A wonderful commitment!
$106.12
Jeffrey Harmer
$100
Paris George
All the best Neville in staying warm tomorrow night! Your support for this important cause makes a difference.
$250
Cwa Gungahlin
$211
Anonymous
Great effort Neville.
$100
Harris Boulton
Great effort to have done this for so long.
$106.12
Robert Baker
Well done
$126.62
Eliza Murray
$80.25
Rosemary T
An amazing effort Neville
$54.12
Kerry Mcgoldrick
$530
Greg James
$126.62
Peter Webb
$106.12
Gudrun Adam
$54.12
Belinda Brice
Well done Neville for your efforts in the cold. May your sleeping bag be warm and slumber sounds. Best wishes
$530
Anonymous
Good on you Neville. Best wishes for the night. regards Mick
$50
Claire Fraser
Thank you for doing this and good luck
$263.75
Bill And Katharine Ranken
Good luck Neville!
$500
Anonymous
Bravo once again Neville. This is such a worthy cause and it is a privilege to be able to help provide warmth and shelter to those in need.
$80.25
Fiona & Gary
Neville, across so many years you’ve done amazing things for so many!
$80.25
Jeff Harrison Oam
$211
Stephen Lambert
Almost at your goal
$126.62
Jackie Stenhouse
$80.25
Katherine Danaro
$106.12
Cameron Jessep
Geez, I hope it warms up 1 or 2 degrees for you for next week Neville!
$33.15
Anonymous
$740
Anonymous
$530
Kym Duggan
Congratulations on your King's Birthday award and a very big thank you from Vinnies for all that you do for us.
$500
Lions Club Of Canberra Valley
$54.12
Anonymous
$80.25
Leo Farrelly
All the best Neville. Your dedication is exemplary
$103.72
Yogi Vidyattama
$126.62
Julie Langford-brown
Neville you are such an inspiration! Good luck with your 14th sleepout and I hope for very mild temps and a rain-free evening!
$316.50
Sheridan Maher
Thankyou for reminding us that everyone deserves to sleep warm at night.
$2.03k
Christopher Chenoweth
well done you good and faithful servant of many causes!
$1.03k
Wendy Smith
Dear Neville. So sorry to have missed donating this morning. I have doubled the amount because I missed this time frame and because I appreciate your yearly efforts of working for the homeless.
$50
David Kennemore
$50
Matched Donation
Congratulations, you have received a matched donation! Keep up all the great work.
$200
Matched Donation
Congratulations, you have received a matched donation! Keep up all the great work.
$200
John Leece Am
$38.33
Alex Edgar
Dear Neville, My thoughts are with you and your fellow CEOs once again enduring a harsh Canberra Winter’s night for your inspirational quest to help the homeless. Cheers, Alex
$38.33
Matched Donation
Congratulations, you have received a matched donation! Keep up all the great work.
$530
Matched Donation
Congratulations, you have received a matched donation! Keep up all the great work.
$530
Wotton Kearney
$211
Matched Donation
Congratulations, you have received a matched donation! Keep up all the great work.
$211
Alan Oakey
$211
Matched Donation
Congratulations, you have received a matched donation! Keep up all the great work.
$211
Janice Steinfurth
A pleasure to help Neville to help the less fortunate
$530
Matched Donation
Congratulations, you have received a matched donation! Keep up all the great work.
$530
Mark Cunliffe
Congratulations Neville. How many years is this now?
$530
Matched Donation
Congratulations, you have received a matched donation! Keep up all the great work.
$530
Mary Gellatly
$263.75
Matched Donation
Congratulations, you have received a matched donation! Keep up all the great work.
$263.75
Anonymous
$316.50
Matched Donation
Congratulations, you have received a matched donation! Keep up all the great work.
$316.50
Penny Becchio
Congratulations Neville
$211
Matched Donation
Congratulations, you have received a matched donation! Keep up all the great work.
$211
Paul Porteous
All the best Neville
$316.50
Matched Donation
Congratulations, you have received a matched donation! Keep up all the great work.
$316.50
Platt Family
In memory of Colin who always supported Neville’s sleep out. Thank you Neville for your commitment to helping people
$530
Matched Donation
Congratulations, you have received a matched donation! Keep up all the great work.
$530
Anonymous
$530
Matched Donation
Congratulations, you have received a matched donation! Keep up all the great work.
$530
John Guthrie
Thank you to Neville and all others braving a cold night.
$750
Matched Donation
Congratulations, you have received a matched donation! Keep up all the great work.
$750
Jenny Tomkins
$1,000
Matched Donation
Congratulations, you have received a matched donation! Keep up all the great work.
$1,000
Jenny Tomkins
$1,000
Matched Donation
Congratulations, you have received a matched donation! Keep up all the great work.
$1,000
Neville Tomkins
$1,000
Matched Donation
Congratulations, you have received a matched donation! Keep up all the great work.
$1,000
Neville Tomkins
$1,000
Matched Donation
Congratulations, you have received a matched donation! Keep up all the great work.
$1,000
Neville Tomkins
$530
John Guthrie
Thank you to Neville and all others braving a cold night.
$43.60
Stephen Connors
Good luck
$500
Belconnen Rotary
$120
Sarah
All the best, stay warm!
$400
Anonymous
Your 14th sleep out - you're amazing Neville!
$54.12
Catherine Zappulla
What an amazing supporter of Vinnie's, Scouts and the Canberra Community! Thank you for your commitment Neville!
$530
Anonymous
$126.62
Phil Harrison
$50
Beth Mitchell
Neville, you are a true stalwart and a committed Scouter. Best wishes for your 14th Sleepout.
$133
Alison Oakeshott
$126.62
Gayle Partridge
Inspiring kindness and generosity Neville. Keep warm.
$316.50
Anonymous
Was delighted to see u n learn about the good work. Keep it up!
$80.25
Sandra Herrmann
A worthy cause. Thank you for your participation.
$126.62
Tony Melv
Well done again Neville on your continued active support for those in need
$33.15
Peter Stevenson
$106.12
John R Baker
$126.62
David Cocking
Congratulations on your continued support of this cause.
$211
Barr Family
Enjoy the night Neville
$300
Clarity Eye Surgeons
$1.03k
Haggis
Well done Neville from East Maitland Venturers
$126.62
Peter Quiggin
Congratulations Neville on your continuing commitment to this cause.
$80.25
Claire Edmanson
$106.12
Mandy Squair
Thank you very much, Vinnies, for the work you do for the homeless and for the CEO Sleepout.
$106.12
Michael Bligh
Well done Neville.
$22.58
Anonymous
Thanks for going into the cold so others can get warm!
$126.62
John Coombe
Well done Neville
$211
Anonymous
Here's to another no doubt uncomfortable sleep-out, Neville. We greatly admire you for doing it year after year; and we express our concern for the poor sould who must do it every night of the year. Ian & Margaret
$625
R And D Rolfe
Congratulations Neville on your long term commitment!
$106.12
Malcolm Wilson
Does it ever snow in Canberra? Yes, I thought so!!!
$54.12
Elaine Dennis
good work
$255
Matched Donation from AMP Foundation
Congratulations, you have received a matched donation thanks to the AMP Foundation! Keep up all the great work.
$255
Neville Tomkins
$300
Matched Donation from AMP Foundation
Congratulations, you have received a matched donation thanks to the AMP Foundation! Keep up all the great work.
$300
Neville Tomkins
$270
Matched Donation from AMP Foundation
Congratulations, you have received a matched donation thanks to the AMP Foundation! Keep up all the great work.
$270
Neville Tomkins
$300
Matched Donation from AMP Foundation
Congratulations, you have received a matched donation thanks to the AMP Foundation! Keep up all the great work.
$300
Jenny Tomkins
$300
Neville Tomkins
$300
Matched Donation from AMP Foundation
Congratulations, you have received a matched donation thanks to the AMP Foundation! Keep up all the great work.
$106.12
Anonymous
$5k
Anonymous
$106.12
Stephen Fernie
$22.58
Eva Nankivell
Thanks for your work Neville
$54.12
David Masters
Well done Neville.
$106.12
Gayle Ginnane
Well done, Neville.
$33.15
Paul Jones
$52.92
Ross Mcleod
$50
Anonymous
$54.12
Valerie Taylor
$126.62
Anonymous
Keep warm.
$80.25
Jeremy Mather
Congratulations Neville on your long term involvement in the Vinnies CEO sleepout. Sleep well! Jeremy
$211
June Irving
$312.90
Anonymous
$500
Robert Waugh Cruickshank
$22.58
Anonymous
$520.66
Peter Blatch
Best wishes Neville
$106.12
Matched Donation from AMP Foundation
Congratulations, you have received a matched donation thanks to the AMP Foundation! Keep up all the great work.
$106.12
Anonymous
$400
Matched Donation from AMP Foundation
Congratulations, you have received a matched donation thanks to the AMP Foundation! Keep up all the great work.
$400
Jenny Tomkins
$500
Matched Donation from AMP Foundation
Congratulations, you have received a matched donation thanks to the AMP Foundation! Keep up all the great work.
$500
Neville Tomkins
$500
Matched Donation from AMP Foundation
Congratulations, you have received a matched donation thanks to the AMP Foundation! Keep up all the great work.
$500
Sarah Tomkins
$505
Anonymous
Jenny sent us .. ..
$1.02k
Sally
$200
Baden-powell Guild Of Nsw
$54
Michael Hall
$250
Well done Neville on another massive fundraising achievement and all the difference this will mean to our community! Thanks for all you do.