HUMANS OF NEWTOWN everyone has a story Jo Wallace
The sun sets over bustling King Street.
Humans of Newtown
Even as a child I was inquisitive about people. I enjoy storytelling and turned that into a career in photojournalism and communications. Luckily for me, the inner city suburb of Newtown, where I live, has an abundance of unique people who are willing to share a yarn. Having lived in Newtown for almost 20 years,
Ironically, by engaging with the Humans of
I’ve observed the many quirks and charms that
Newtown social media, people told me they
make it such a vibrant and distinct pocket of
found they were more likely to talk face-to-face
urban Sydney life.
with complete strangers on the street.
The idea for this book came to me about six
I also began to understand Newtown in a way
years ago, when I was eager to document how
I hadn’t before. When I asked people what they
the locals here live, work and play. With so much
thought about the suburb, most said it’s unique;
going on in our neighbourhood, I had the idea
it’s different. But I found at the core of people’s
of putting together a book of stories about what
stories there was a sense of acceptance, and a
makes the people of Newtown tick and why we
genuine love and compassion for one another.
all feel so connected to our community. The idea bubbled away in the background until one day in early 2014, when I came across
In Newtown, if you wear your pyjamas down the street, no one will bat an eyelid. You can be yourself and you will always feel accepted.
the myriad ‘Humans of ’ webpages while surf-
The more people opened up, the more others
ing the net. Currently, there are more than 280
became inspired. Some said they were moved to
‘Humans of ’ sites, including the original blog,
tears, others felt motivated to be better people,
Humans of New York. Each site, with its unique
while many were content at being reminded
style and voice, tells the tales of local community
that life was pretty good, and that we all have
members around the world through words and
hardships to overcome.
photographs. And so the seed for Humans of
Newtown’s soul is made up of the collective
Newtown was born. I found the courage to
beating heart of all of these beautiful, brave
approach strangers in the street, to photograph
humans who, one by one, revealed a little of
them and ask them about themselves.
themselves for this project. And for that, I am
The project took shape and people started opening their hearts and baring their souls – and, in some cases, various body parts!
sincerely thankful. I hope you’ll be inspired in some way by the stories shared by the Humans of Newtown.
J essica ‘ My grandmother passed away when I was 18, on Valentine’s Day. I was off celebrating and she died. That was really horrible.’ What’s one thing that sticks in your mind that your grandmother said to you? ‘ If you lot don’t stop mucking around, I’m going to give you a bunch of fives!’
Joe ‘ I play the Oud. It’s a Middle Eastern lute.’ If you could describe the Oud as a human, how would you describe it? ‘ It’s pretty much like me – short-necked, half pear-shaped. It’s perfect. I’m exactly like the instrument!
S P OT T ED i n N ew tow n The Dark Knight and his apprentice call it a day.
John
WHAT’S ONE OF THE MOST INTERESTING
The most interesting thing I have learnt –
THINGS YOU’VE LEARNT IN YOUR LIFE?
there are five exercises called ‘The Five Rites of
I can’t pick out a one single thing as I’ve learnt
Rejuvenation’. These are the most interesting
so many things in my life except to avoid mar-
things I have learnt for doing. I’ll demo the first
garine and synthetic food. When I was a little
one. You’ve heard of prana and you’ve heard of
coot, there were some things called Butternut
chi and George Lucas tells us about The Force.
Snaps. I loved them but my grandma said, ‘No,
It’s all around us. There is a way of scooping it
you mustn’t have those, they contain marga-
in. This is the basic one – now stand back.
rine.’ I have since read that margarine gives you short life expectancy by causing heart attacks.
What you do is you’re scooping it up with one hand and with the other you’re flinging it away. I do that every morning. I learned this at 60
CAN I ASK HOW OLD YOU ARE?
years old. I still get up half an hour earlier to
I’m proud to be an old coot. I’ll tell you what
do this. People are flattering, they tell me ‘John,
my age will be in September. On the 22nd of
you don’t look a day over 60’. Well, 60 was a
September, I shall be 90 years old.
long time ago!
I’ll tell you two little things to do. Avoid all synthetic food – like margarine. The other thing
TELL ME ONE THING YOU HOPE YOU
to avoid is Aspartame. You know the 100% no
NEVER FORGET IN YOUR LIFE.
sugar in Coca Cola? There is something else
Life is meant for laughing and joking and
there that is quite a poison and it is called As-
things like that. Not for worrying and being
partame. I will help you achieve 90 if you want
serious about things.
to achieve 90 but then you will be a grand dame at 90. No longer a pretty woman. Now, I’m an old coot and I love being an old coot. I’m no longer a dashing young chap. At the same time, I used to dread old age but now I’ve learnt all those things about how to maintain my health.
If you feel like dancing and singing, go ahead. Life is for joy. It’s not for miseries. Here on Earth is a wonderful place. We should be looking after it a lot more than we do.
‘ Life is meant for laughing and joking and things like that. Not for worrying and being serious about things.’
‘ You put the one going on the back on first, basically get them in on the front and scoot them around to the back, then put the other one on. My little girl goes on the back always because you put the heavier one on the back, while the little man rides up front.’ Adam FATHER OF TWINS
BLO G COM M EN TS
‘ Total weight?’ Adam: They are 9kg+ each, been a month and a half since they were weighed though. ‘Such a sexy daddy look *hint hint*’ ‘A very balanced father.’ ‘Papa Pack Horse’ ‘Daddying like a Boss!’ ‘ He even has the nappy bag and cooler bag to hand – one in a million I’d say!’ ‘Mum porn’
M o nica I love the people and the style. That’s what makes Newtown a little bit special.
Hea t wave, Jan uary 2 01 5 With temperatures reaching the early 40s, this was definitely not one cool cat on King Street.
‘I have a dre a m ’ This mural, painted in 1991 by Unmitigated Audacity Productions, is heritage-listed by Marrickville Council. Its message of tolerance has resonated with the local community, which maintains a sense of ownership of the mural and anonymously repairs any damage.
‘ It was very late in life when I finally worked out what I wanted to do. I started at the age of 47. I think sometimes things are meant to happen at ages that you don’t expect them to. I don’t wish it had happened earlier. I think my life has panned out just nicely.’ Deborah THE VINTAGE DRAWER
BLOG COMMEN TS
‘BVA is so gangster.’ ‘ You’ve gotta love the Baron, he’s a cool dude.’ ‘ The Baron is having a von awesome time by the looks of it!’
Baron Von Awesome cruising King Street