Carlton through and through – four generations of Blues family tradition.
Experienced homelessness.
Now safely housed.
AFL puts everyone on the same level - an extended family. When you hear the roars through the stadium, that's football at its best.
My mum’s mum was Carlton, my mum was Carlton, I’m Carlton and so is my nephew – so that’s four generations.
One of my favourite players would have to be Anthony Koutoufides, I have got his name on my wrist. I met him. He shook my hand, he was such a gentleman, it was an absolute pleasure to meet such a huge iconic player. No attitude or arrogance.
I feel like AFL puts everyone on the same level. You might have your rivalries, but at the end of the day you can get together and it’s like an extended family taking people for who they are. Doesn't matter what race they are, where they are from. When you go to the game, and you hear the big roars and the woosh through the stadium, that’s where football is at its best.
My mum passed away during COVID. She made me promise to keep the membership. When I lost her, you just want to chuck everything in because you just feel so lost without them. Like the fact that I will never take a photo with her again makes it really difficult. But she’s always with me and when I am at the AFL, I do feel a connection with her.
It’s been good to be part of the team spirit and support the boys that play such a hard game. I’m naturally loud at the game, a place where you can be naturally loud and it’s socially acceptable to let out the energy, if you are frustrated and you want to let out a big scream at least you can do that at the football.
When I lost my mum during COVID I had to move. Even though I had a stable job I was borderline homeless, and I wasn't new to it. I left home at 16 and a half and went into a refuge. Now I live in affordable supported housing. Thank god for Launch Housing and other organisations that make it possible for people to have a roof over their heads. At the age of 40, I now have stability.
Don’t judge people just because they are on their street, they just don’t have options – they might not have many friends, or family. Anyone could fall from grace and be homeless, I'm a perfect example of that.
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