Laurence sells The Big Issue at the Canberra Times Fountain, Civic, and in Dickson.

“As someone who has suffered from depression and schizophrenia, I know better than most that life can be one big mess without friends and a steady job. I’ve always loved working, doing something productive rather than being stuck at home with the four walls caving in on me. I travelled around Australia, working as a kitchen hand from Victoria to Queensland. But 10 years ago, mental health problems caused my work to fall away. I’m a great worker when I’m well, but when I’m not, things aren’t always so great. I was made redundant from my job in Canberra and had a mental breakdown. It happened just like that and I burst into tears. If there’s one thing I’d say to someone in that position, it’s this: ‘If you’re feeling unwell, tell somebody.’

It’s the friends and family around me, Mental Illness Education ACT [MIEACT], The Rainbow [Mental Health Foundation recreation and resource centre] and, more recently, the people at The Big Issue and Woden Community Service, who are the reason I’m still here today. It’s been a roller-coaster ride but I feel 100% better than I felt all those years ago. I’m meeting people from various backgrounds and I have my fellow vendors in the Big Issue community to support me when I need help.

We recently lost a dear friend, Eddie, and a lot of the vendors are grieving – his death upset us. You need to keep busy and do something to take your mind off your troubles. If you’re out of work, for instance, look for jobs or people who can help you. On top of my work for The Big Issue, I volunteer for MIEACT and work at Cafe Ink, an enterprise run by Woden Community Service that provides employment to people who have gone though hard times. I came to the job with years of experience, and get to take orders and make coffee and sandwiches.

Throughout the two years I’ve worked at The Big Issue, I’ve had wonderful experiences. One day, I was working in front of the Canberra Centre on a miserable winter’s morning and a lady walked over to me and said: ‘Would you like a doona? Because this one’s got your name on it.’ I never found out her name but, if she’s reading, I’d like her to know that the doona’s still on my bed. I was so surprised and humbled that a person could be so kind and would spend so much on me.

However, the best moment of my life was when I won a pool competition at the Dickson Tradies. Everyone gave me a rousing reception; I still remember the standing ovation. Now I’ve set [myself] an even bigger goal – to go on the game show Deal or No Deal and win heaps of cash. For someone who has had nothing in life, I want to have everything!

It will also boost my magazine sales if I’m on Deal. People will come up to me and ask, “Why are you still selling The Big Issue?” and I’ll say, “I’m doing something that makes me happy”. After all, when you’re on to a winner, you’ve gotta stick with it.”

Interview by Dominic Lavers

Photograph by Ben Davies

Matthew hasn’t had to use his powers to battle evil wizards, but he has had to battle alcohol. He started drinking with a group of schoolmates, and soon found he was hitting it heavily and also chain-smoking. It wasn’t until he was about 22 years old that he finally “got off the drink”.

“Having a job stopped me drinking,” says Matthew. “I got work as a rag cutter and lasted about a year. It was okay, but the wages were low so I quit and ended up back on the drink for a couple of months. Luckily, my social worker introduced me to The Big Issue and I’ve been back working ever since.”

It’s not quite rags to riches, but it’s a big step in the right direction, and Matthew enjoys working in the city. “I love all the shops and I’ve made more friends. Customers stop by just looking for a chat. I’m friends with a few of the other vendors, too. We talk about how things are going and have a laugh.

“Helping the homeless is a good thing. I read the vendor stories and realise I’m not the only person struggling. I’m living in a boarding house. It’s not ideal – some days the other residents go off their head – so I might look for a one-bedroom flat for a bit of peace and quiet.”

On his days off, when he’s not reading Harry Potter, Matthew loves to watch the wrestling with his extended family. It’s not quite magical, but it is entertaining. “I’m into the music, the jokes and the stunts. My favourite wrestler is the Undertaker. He’s got the tactics, plays mind games and has a great slogan: ‘Rest in Peace’. He doesn’t always win, though – you can’t fake injuries and scars.”

Matthew also likes to head off to the local RSL to play darts with the family. “Only two of us have ever got the unbeatable score – 180 in the triple red circle!” he admits. “And I go to the movies, too, with my girlfriend. We like spending time together. We might go to the Ekka [Royal Queensland Show] – I want to get the wrestling showbag.”

Matthew reckons he’ll stick with The Big Issue. “They are good bosses. They listen.” And he’ll probably stick with the fantasy, too. After all, it’s a nice way to spend the day, dreaming about dragons, magic and having the power of love.

Matthew sells The Big Issue outside the GPO at Queen Street in Brisbane.

By Judy Johnson

Photograph by Paul Giggle

It was drug induced – marijuana. I’d just left school and went fruit picking in South Australia; we smoked some [marijuana] and I became psychotic as a result. I ended up in the psychiatric ward in Adelaide, and then was transferred to Mont Park [a Melbourne psychiatric hospital] for two years. I never touched [drugs] after that, so that was a very hard lesson to learn. I still smoke cigarettes – sometimes I enjoy it, but I’d rather not smoke. For health reasons – and it’s expensive.

I’ve moved a lot around the east coast of Australia, and have always kept journals from when I was living in Melbourne, NSW and Queensland at different times in my life. I was living homeless in Newcastle with the man I was later to marry and have a son with.

I have two boys – one’s 20 now and the other is 15. My 20-year-old is in Melbourne, but he had to grow up with his father’s parents because we were homeless. I raised my younger son until he was 15, but now he’s living with my sister, in Melbourne, because I am in and out of hospital with mental episodes.

[There have been difficult, sometimes violent, incidents.] I’ve been capsicum-sprayed, thrown on the ground, handcuffed… I’ve been taken to a psychiatric ward, put into seclusion, had all my clothes taken away… It can be a month [I spend there].

I’m staying in Salvation Army transitional housing because I was homeless at the start of the year – I had a complete nervous collapse and was sleeping on concrete slabs behind the chemist. I’ve hooked into a Karingal service [in the Geelong region] that helps people with mental illness – I do a yoga class and have a support-worker there. She’s really nice and we have coffee and cake together, and talk. I go to a group on a Friday with other women and get our nails painted, have a foot spa and have make-up, and sometimes we go out for Christmas.

I’ve been living in Geelong for more than 13 years. The Big Issue is a good job – I sell in the afternoons at Highton Safeway. People are friendly, nice, they talk to me, smile. The Big Issue means that I don’t go without food, and I can buy new socks and underwear, and not have to buy second-hand ones.

I write folk songs and play the guitar, and I like to do craft and I look to cook and do gardening and read, when I’m not too tired or too medicated or in hospital – you need to enjoy the good things in life that make you happy. But my sons have been the light of my life and have kept me going through many dark years. They inspire me, they’re beautiful.”

Celeste sells The Big Issue in Highton, Geelong

Interview by Peter Ascot

Photograph by James Braund

While he admits he should practise more, Bryan has improved his ability to say short words. In the meantime, he uses a Lightwriter (text-to-speech machine) or a TTY (teletypewriter) service for any longer conversations.

The most important person in Bryan’s life is his mum, Jan. His dad died in his sleep – the result of a brain tumour – when Bryan was 11. Since then, Bryan and his mother have supported each other, leaving Bryan with the realisation that it’s important to move on with your life and be happy with what you have.

While being close to his mum, Bryan recently moved out of the family home and now lives with a flatmate, Michelle. He loves his new house and describes his feelings about the change succinctly on his Lightwriter: “Freedom!”

The Big Issue has been part of Bryan’s journey to self-reliance and independence – for three years he’s been selling the magazine in Belconnen (ACT), beaming his smile at public servants on lunchbreaks and shoppers at weekends. As well as meeting lots of good people, Bryan earns enough to fund a new interest in cooking and can still put a bit aside. He is saving up for a holiday to France, to fulfil his dream of seeing the Eiffel Tower. Meanwhile, he’s pretty happy with Canberra’s attractions, especially its many museums and the War Memorial. Notwithstanding some reservations about the weather (a topic on which most vendors are first-hand experts), having lived in Canberra all his life, Bryan is certain it is “the most beautiful city in Australia”.

Bryan is studying for a Bachelor of Arts at the University of Canberra, majoring in sociology, and would eventually like to do law. He chose sociology because he wants to understand people better, and says working for The Big Issue is good experience for his studies as he’s around people all the time.

As a keen sports fan, Bryan follows several football codes. He barracks for a number of teams including the Brumbies (rugby union), the Raiders (NRL), the Roosters (NRL) and the Sydney Swans and Brisbane Lions (AFL). As well as doing archery, Bryan competes in boccia – like lawn bowls, but indoors, in wheelchairs, and using leather balls filled with rice. In May 2011, at the Boccia National Championships in May, he came third in his class, which he says felt “really good!”

Bryan loves to make people laugh. At the recent party in Canberra to celebrate 15 years of The Big Issue in Australia, Bryan worked with the MC (ABC weather presenter, Mark Carmody) and local politicians to tell his jokes. Here’s one to put a smile on your dial: “Why did the banana go to the doctor? It wasn’t peeling well!

Bryan sells The Big Issue in Belconnen and Civic in Canberra.

interview by Julie Evans and Dominic Lavers photograph by Ben Davies

I did not talk to Mum about it as I did not want to make her sad, but I think she knew anyway. This became more evident as I started to grow up, but my dad couldn’t accept it or even talk about it. It became quite bad and I lost all contact with him. I have not seen him for years and I’m not even sure if he is alive.

I was in a special stream at school for children with learning challenges. I have spina bifida, so my employment options are a bit limited. I did work in a factory once and also in a furniture-making business, but the smell of glue got to me and I left.

After Mum died I moved around for a while – staying in a few places. I was homeless for a while after I had to leave the hostel I was in. I used to get on the train and sleep or get a bus and just get my head down for a while.

I tried to get work but my spina bifida got worse and I had chronic back pain, which made it impossible to lift anything or do most jobs. I was put on a pension and was unemployed for nearly 20 years when the Big Issue opportunity came along. John, who sells the mag at the railway station in Perth, brought me to the Big Issue office and I started selling that day. This changed my life.

I used to sit at home all day doing nothing. Now I get out early in the morning and meet new people every day. I also bought a bike recently with my extra cash, so now I get around all over the place. I have a much more positive attitude and I am even planning to get into the IT industry. I like to work with computers and help friends when they have problems. I built a computer from scratch and have enrolled in a computer course at college. I would never have done this if I had not started with The Big Issue.”

interview by Jim Petrie photograph by Ross Swanborough

Tina sells The Big Issue at the Esplanade Train Station, Perth

I was born in Brisbane Hospital and had a happy childhood in northern Queensland, but my mother drank a lot and I was often left to look after my younger brothers. I left home at 17 when it became too much. I miss my father – he died in 2000. I’m still in regular contact with my mother and we have a good relationship now. She still lives in Townsville.

I have been deaf since birth due to my mum having chicken pox. I can lip-read a little, but mainly communicate by signing or writing things down. I learned signing from a very young age, and attended schools for the deaf, which I enjoyed.

I moved to Sydney with my then-husband around 1995. I was married to him for 10 years, from the age of 18, but he was very abusive and we broke up while he was in jail. I have lots of bad memories as a result of that relationship.

We had a son in 1999. His name is Aaron and he lives with foster-carers. I love him very much and see him now and again. I also hope to see a lot more of him as he gets older.

Working was very difficult because of the hearing impairment. I haven’t had any other jobs apart from The Big Issue, which I found out about in 2007 from a friend who was a vendor. It was hard at first when there were no sales, but persistence paid off. My deafness doesn’t affect it.

I sell at the GPO in Sydney, usually around four days a week for a few hours at a time. I haven’t been well recently, so have not been able to work as much.

But I still have a smile for my customers – I have lots of regular customers who come and talk to me. Some even buy me drinks and lunch. Or I get tips, which help to buy food on my lunch break.

The magazine is interesting and the Big Issue staff are good. I go to the office now and again – I like to help out at our vendor barbecues, when a new edition is launched.

I look forward to getting married, having some more children and a happy family. I am engaged to Leonard, and we’ve been together for three years.

I am able to save a little bit, but it’s hard – and the money doesn’t matter. I’m happy. The Big Issue has helped me get out and about instead of just sitting at home. I have a new life, new friends. I love cycling and I’m healthier.

At home I like to read, or to chat online. Leonard and I are renting privately, but have received a notice to move out because the property is being sold. We are hoping to get some help from the housing department.

To my customers, I’d like to say thanks for the respect you give me and for appreciating the work I do. I’ll go on selling, maybe forever.

interview by Peter Ascot with Emma Harkins

photograph by Peter Holcroft

But his arrival in Townsville represented the start of five lonely years for Michael. He lived on the streets, spoke to no one and slept in parks. “I was very alone,” he recalls. Once again it was Christians who helped Michael out by finding him a place in their travelling ministry. He enjoyed helping them convert an old meatworks into a warehouse. His only work prior to this had been a stint as a trolley collector in Brisbane.

They also helped him to find dormitory accommodation – but, unfortunately, this wasn’t a good experience. “All my things got nicked,” he recalls, “and I had to go back out on the streets for one week every three months. In Townsville I was like Daniel in the lion’s den. There were fights every night, but I never got touched.”

One thing Michael did find to love in Townsville was beach volleyball. He wandered into a game one night when he was homeless, and ended up playing four nights a week. It became a passion that led him to umpiring, and a move to Mackay. “I heard there was a job going as an umpire, so I hitchhiked down and ended up living with the boss of the sports complex and getting paid $10 a game. Beach volleyball gave me confidence. I was very shy before I got involved with the sport. It’s great – it gets you moving and talking with people. I’d like to try to get qualified as an umpire one day.”

Michael moved back to Brisbane about two years ago and soon started selling The Big Issue. “I don’t like selling The Big Issue,” he says. “I love it! My customers are so friendly, they stop for a chat and ask me how my day is going. Sales have been a bit up and down since the floods, but I think it’s because people are still rebuilding.”

Michael now enjoys the “peace and quiet” of his own one-bedroom unit. “The streets can be very noisy at night,” he says. He has a big TV for watching the Australian championship beach volleyball, the world wrestling, the netball, world darts and the football. He stays in touch with his Christian friends by going to church every Sunday night. “I like the music and the Bible stories on the big screen.”

One day, Michael hopes to get his driver’s licence and a car, and head back north for a holiday. He’s also hoping to find a place to play beach volleyball again. In a state brimming with beautiful beaches, there must be a team out there somewhere that would welcome a talented umpire and all-round nice guy like Michael.

Michael F sells The Big Issue outside the Tribal Theatre, George Street, Brisbane

Words by Judy Johnson

Photograph by Paul Giggle

“A lot of people are afraid of disability and when customers stop to buy a magazine from me they will often be surprised and say, ‘Oh! He talks.’ When they get to know me, however, they realise that I talk a lot! Sometimes, people passing by don’t see what is on the inside and just feel sorry for the disabled, who really want to be treated like everybody else.

I’ve sold The Big Issue since 2005 and over the years have made a lot of loyal customers and friends. When people get to know me they realise that my brain functions just fine; it’s my body that isn’t perfect. I love meeting people and, when someone buys a magazine from me, I always say something funny or sing to them.

I also have two dogs, Fly [pictured] and Sarah. I think dogs are so special because they are always your mate when you need a mate. Fly helps me sell The Big Issue and is a big drawcard – kids walk past and say, ‘Mummy, can we go over there and buy The Big Issue and pat the dog? He was a failed guide dog and they were going to put him down because he had no one who cared. I put my hand up and said, ‘You are not going to put him down; I will have him to be my guide dog.’ I’ve helped teach him and he’s not a failed guide dog anymore. Sarah has ADHD and always wants to play. Sometimes, she pulls me over when she sees another dog, which isn’t good. But Fly and Sarah are always there to help me out.

The most important people in my life, however, are my mum, brother and sister. My mum has been there for me all my life. She always tells me to be ‘happy-go-lucky’ and that there is no such word as ‘can’t’ – it’s always ‘could’, ‘yeah’ or ‘that’s how it should be in life’. We don’t live together any more, but I think it’s good that we both have some space and it makes the time we do spend together more precious.

I have written lots of articles for The Big Issue, including ones about Sarah and Fly (Streetsheet: ‘Life Can Be Amazing’ Ed#343 and ‘Being Happy’ Ed#359), and about playing wheelchair basketball in 2010. This was a lot of fun, although I took a tumble shooting hoops over my head. I liked getting these articles published because it means I am heard by a lot of people.

I hope to continue selling The Big Issue until I win the lottery and go for a long holiday to Thailand. I want to experience the culture and see how people work over there. God put me on this Earth to make people feel happy. I have a gift of gold in my heart and my eyes light up when I see my customers. I hope that I can continue to change the way people think about disability by talking and making people laugh while I sell The Big Issue.”

Interview by: Dominic Lavers

Photograph by: Ben Davies

Paul has been part of The Big Issue family for about three and a half years. He works at Melbourne Central, Cnr Queen and Collins St, Parliament Station, Causeway Lane, Lygon Street.

What do you enjoy most about selling the mag?
The biggest reward for me is all the people I get to meet each day. I also really enjoy selling The Big Issue at Christmas time… people are really generous.

How has selling The Big Issue helped you/changed your life? 
Since I began selling The Big Issue I have been able to find my own accommodation, earn a good income and get off drugs.

What are some of the highlights of being a vendor?
Every Birthday and Christmas my regular customers bring me cards and gifts which is really nice. In 2004 I was the first vendor to sell Prince Charles a copy of The Big Issue, when he visited Melbourne. That was definitely a highlight.

Tell us a bit about your experiences?
In my late thirties I began taking drugs. My addiction lead to me becoming homeless. I also spent four months in jail at one point. After getting out of jail I realised that I wanted to change my life and thats when I became a vendor at The Big Issue. I have now been drug free for 12 months and I am working towards eventually owning my own home and business. I am a carpenter by trade and hope to one day go back to my true passion – making furniture.

What advice do you have for other people in this situation?
Don’t be too proud to ask for help if you need it.

Greg has been selling The Big Issue for nearly 13 years. These days he works at Queens Parade, Clifton Hill, Victoria.

What do you enjoy most about selling the mag?
Selling The Big Issue makes me not feel so alone. I get to talk to customers and interact with the public, it gets me out of the house and talking to people.

How has selling The Big Issue helped you/changed your life? 
Selling The Big Issue has given me confidence, self esteem and most importantly support – The Big Issue staff are the closest thing to family that I have. I have had some issues with women in the past, due to a breakdown in my relationship with my mother 15 years ago. Selling The Big Issue has helped me change my attitude towards women. I’ve lost the chip on my shoulder and have had a confidence boost.

Is there anything you want to tell us about some of your life experiences?
I left home at 13 and went travelling around Australia with carnie folk. By the time I was in my twenties I had a severe problem with alcohol which lead to the breakdown of my relationship with my brother, sister and eventually mother. My Dad was the only person that stuck by me, he was my best mate. Four years ago he died though. I’ve been sober for ten years now and have my own flat with my two cats – Nitro and JJ. It would be better if I could have a relationship with my Mum. That’s the one thing I really want.

What advice do you have for other people in this situation?
Take each day as it comes.