Streetsheet

Streetsheet Stories, poems and pictures by Big Issue vendors and friends

VENDOR SPOTLIGHT BRIAN

BRIAN WITH MANY OF HIS WILLIAMSTOWN REGULARS

When I’m 65!

This May, I reach a milestone birthday: 65! There have been a lot of good times, and some ups and downs over those 65 years. When I was younger, I left New South Wales to travel around the country – and that ended up taking 24 years! I did odd jobs here and there, whatever I could to keep me going. I did labouring, worked on farms and in abattoirs, I also worked on Hamilton Island at Club Med, where I did maintenance, cleaning and picking up people as they arrived.

I started selling The Big Issue in Brisbane in 1998, then moved to Bendigo, before finally settling in Melbourne. I’ve been selling the mag in Williamstown for over 15 years. The local Williamstown community have always been welcoming and supportive of me – they have become my friends and I will often go out for coffee or lunch with my customers. When I became very ill and unable to work, I was overwhelmed by the care and support shown to me – the community all chipped in and fundraised to buy me a scooter.

As I reach this milestone birthday – which I never thought I would meet – I want to say a big thank you to the Williamstown community. Your support has meant a lot to me. Even though I am reaching retirement age, I have no plans to finish up yet!

BRIAN WILLIAMSTOWN I MELBOURNE

Taking Care

We have taken in some Ukrainian children that came to Australia because of the war. Unfortunately they have lost their parents. My wife and I are registered with Child Protection because we’ve cared for foster children before. There are two boys, who are 13 and 15, and a three-year-old girl.

They’ve only been here for four days. They aren’t able to go to school yet, but when they do, they will go to a specialised school that will help them learn English. At the moment, the way we communicate is by using translation apps on our phones. It’s amazing technology!

I have tried to give them trust and safety so they can relax. They’re not as tense as they used to be because they know there’s no harm in Australia that will hurt them. They know that I’ll do my best. The oldest one wants to come to work with me, but unfortunately he can’t because he’s too young, and it’s best if he stays with his brother and sister.

RON K ZUMA’S CAFE, NORTHPARK WOOLWORTHS, ELIZABETH SHOPPING CENTRE I ADELAIDE

Keep the Peace

For generations, people have died to end wars. The role of politicians, in eliminating “othering”, is to ensure that military personnel are not called upon to make the ultimate sacrifice. In my view, armed conflict is the politically lazy way out. Addressing othering as the basis of racism, sexism and xenophobia will free all peoples, not just minorities. Together, we can reunite, conjoin and celebrate mateship. And not shirk our responsibilities by hiding behind military and border posturing. There are speed and cost benefits to smart-trust. Now is not the time to blind-trust.

ALL VENDOR CONTRIBUTORS TO STREETSHEET ARE PAID FOR THEIR WORK. ANDREW SUSPENSION ESPRESSO CAFE, BEAUMONT ST, HAMILTON I NEWCASTLE

I’ll Be Back

Many people know me as the cat lady – my name is Cheryl. You might not have seen me and the cats on our pitches in Errol Street, North Melbourne, or the Vic Market for a while. It’s because I’m undergoing therapy for incurable cancer, and my doctor has advised me to take a six-month break, at least. I am feeling really positive and healthy, and just taking each day as it comes. I’m missing everyone’s smiling faces and having chats – and making money. Thank you for all the well wishes, and hope to be back soon.

CHERYL NORTH MELBOURNE & QUEEN VIC MARKET I MELBOURNE

The Write Stuff

Jim Browne, one of the Brisbane authors from the Fiction Edition, visited my pitch in Toowong to help promote the stories Ed#654. The edition is a good representation of the best writers and Jim was good to give up his time. I can express myself verbally, but I’m not good at literacy like the writers. We can’t be good at everything. Most people aren’t perfect, and some areas need to be worked on. We make mistakes and should learn from those mistakes to improve our lives.

TED J TOOWONG, AVID READER & WEST END MARKETS I BRISBANE

TICKLED INK: TED ON PITCH WITH WRITER JIM BROWNE