The Big Issue

Con sells The Big Issue in the Bourke St Mall and Melbourne Central, Melbourne.

Con is a man of few words but when they do come out, his strong accent gives a pretty good clue as to his background. “I’m 40 now, came out from Cyprus when I was nine,” he says. “There was trouble between the Greek and Turkish sides there. I don’t particularly want to travel back to Cyprus – things are great here in Australia.”

I live at home with my parents, and spend a lot of time with family,” he continues. And there’s a lot of family to go round – of five boys and four girls, Con is the third eldest. “I speak by phone to my sister in Cyprus, who has two daughters, and two sisters here each have a child, so I now have a niece and a nephew here,” he says, clearly a doting uncle.

His career selling The Big Issue started late last year, but his fame on the streets dates back far longer. “I enjoyed school, and went to work in a potato-chip factory,” he says. “It shut down and from 1991 I sold the Herald Sun in a booth in the city. Then, last year, the booth was shut down and I was looking for work again. I knew of The Big Issue though a vendor who sold nearby.”

Con found his way to the Melbourne office, and was soon reconnecting with his customers and enjoying selling the magazine. “Even on the tram in to work, people recognise me and want to get their copy,” he says. “I’ve got customers who I’ve known for over 10 years. They now get the magazine from me. At the paper, there was pressure to sell. I enjoy selling The Big Issue because there is less pressure. I like the interaction with people and consider them as friends. It’s the best job I’ve ever had.”

Con works hard outside the Body Shop in Bourke St Mall and at Melbourne Central, seven days a week. The only way this Aussie Rules fan and Essendon supporter sees a match is to “record them and watch them later”. Luckily he enjoys just being out there, and he brings a bit of Hellenistic culture to the Melbourne streets with his radio tuned to a local Greek station.

The hard work is all for a purpose. Although he does tend to spend up on gifts for his niece and nephew, he has a long-term goal. “Money does not come easily, so I save it,” he says. “I’d like to get a house and the furniture for it.”

That sounds like it could take a while, but Con has already outlasted both his previous jobs and clearly has the determination needed to reach any goal he sets. And while he doesn’t say much, his constant smile shows he’s happy on the journey. And a smile is good communication in anyone’s language.

Photograph by James Braund