The Big Issue

Devo has become a big part of The Big Issue in Western Australia. For four years he has participated in the Street Soccer Program in Western Australia and for six years he has been selling The Big Issue magazine.

Photo of Devo (right) with coach Chris Cornelio at the 2008 National Street Soocer Championships.

He first started playing soccer in his mid twenties and now at 52 he is still involved in the game.

“I like street soccer because it’s relaxed and easy to fit in. There is no pecking order like a conventional club and it’s not so crucial to be a highly skilled player,” he said.

“Street soccer is a release form the daily grind- it’s something to distract me from the real world and things like paying bills. I catch up with like-minded people who know what it’s like to have a rough life.”

Devo keeps himself extremely busy; when he is not selling The Big Issue or playing street soccer he is usually found on his bike. He has been cycling since he was 10 years old and is now currently in three cycling clubs; Cycling Tour Association of Western Australia, Western Australia Advisory Council and the Mundabiddi Mountain Bike Club.

Devo recently toured Queensland and New South Wales with 20 other cyclists organised by the Cycling Tour Association of WA.

“We were riding up to 100kms some days, for five weeks. We had to have a week rest before flying home!”

With the Western Australia Advisory Council, Devo visits regional areas of WA to promote vision impaired cycling, going to primary and high schools in Margaret River, Geraldton, Northampton and Albany. They take tandem bikes and talk about cycling; what it’s like to be vision impaired; their capabilities and the instruments available to assist with their disability.

“When I came back from volunteering at the 2000 Paralympics I went to the Volunteer Australia office and have been a pilot cyclist for vision impaired tandem riding ever since.”

Devo is also a member of the “Spirit of the Street Choir”. He plays bass guitar and meets every Tuesday with the rest of the choir. The popularity of the choir is growing and in October a ticketed show will be held at the Perth Concert Hall.

“I used to play in a band back in the late 80’s. The band brought out a four track EP which got some local airplay but still remains a collector’s item (I still have 50 copies at home),” laughed Devo.

“This year is the 20th anniversary of the band, I’m just waiting for that phone call for a reunion tour!”