Roos fan believes where there’s a will there’s a way – in footy and in life.
Experienced homelessness.
Now safely housed.
I started supporting North Melbourne when I was 10. I've seen them win two Premierships in that time. Feels pretty good when they win, up the Roos!
I started barracking for North Melbourne when I was 10 years old, when I was still in the homes. I had two childhood friends: one was a North Melbourne supporter, and one was a Richmond supporter. I was more friendly with the other kid, so I ended up barracking for North Melbourne. In that time, I’ve seen them win two Premierships. It feels pretty good when they win, up the Roos! If it wasn’t for Wayne Carey they wouldn’t have won those two flags, he was certainly the club’s greatest player, there’s no doubt about that.
I don’t necessarily believe that life is about a series of competitions, I just enjoy it for what it is in the same way I enjoy swimming or going to the beach. It keeps people entertained, and that’s what life is all about, isn’t it? It’s a positive thing.
Anyone can become homeless. It can occur through natural disasters, floods...domestic violence is another cause. Even a person renting a flat can become homeless if the real estate agent doesn’t extend the lease. You could be lining up with 30 or 40 people, competing with all of them. I’ve just been given a year’s lease on my current place and when the lease comes up if the landlord says I have to move, then at that point, I'll be homeless. I have done it all myself. I have lived in transitional accommodation, rooming houses, I’ve had stints at the Gatwick Hotel. Now I’m out there every day trying to assist homeless people on the streets become Big Issue vendors, try to get them a job so they can get from where they are to somewhere else. And then from that point to get a place to live. I think I’m making a difference.
This is Australia... we have a lot of space here. I believe that housing is a human right and everyone deserves a place to stay. Whatever is being done to reduce the numbers, we need to do more. Where there’s a will there’s always a way... that’s what I think.
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