Aaron sells The Big Issue at the corner of Little Collins and Swanston streets, Melbourne.

“I come from a good home – well, what they say is a good home. One of those households where they bought a big house and basically spent their whole life working for it without time for anything else.
I had some trouble with Mum and Dad, left home and moved into a house with other young people in the same situation. Turned out I ended up living …

Michael sells The Big Issue in Civic, Canberra.

While most of the ambassadors in Canberra hang out in Yarralumla, there’s one you just can’t miss in downtown Civic. In his bright vendor uniform and with his penchant for helping the public, Michael is the best ambassador The Big Issue could ask for.
“My customers have helped me out through tips and advice, and I also help the public,” says the Canberra-born 24 year old. “Some are in a worse situation than me. …

Daniel sells The Big Issue on The Parade, Norwood, SA

“I like politics and I’ve decided who I’ll probably vote for. I’d like to see Rudd or Howard make a decent climate-change decision, but I don’t think they will because I don’t think either of them has got any guts. With so much money coming from the GST, I reckon the Government could fund free public transport for everyone.

I do a bit of painting, and won the mental health art competition …

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 …