Four years ago, longstanding vendor Dave S. settled into steady accommodation for the first time in 15 years. Now he shares some of the changes in his life.
“I’m still in the same place – well, I’ve moved upstairs from where I originally was, and I’ve been up there for about three-and-a-half years now. It’s a lot better than what it was. I’m enjoying it.
The nomadic lifestyle I used to live still crosses my mind every time I go on a trip somewhere. But I’ve just had to more or less shut that down, stop thinking the way I used to. It doesn’t cross my mind now to get up and go wandering. I’ve been at the same place for four years so that’s pretty good.
Getting used to the responsibilities that go with living in a place takes a while after sleeping on the streets for so long. I had to take it one night at a time.
It took me six months to sleep in a bed, in my own bed, because I didn’t feel comfortable. I’ve always got a backpack packed with my street gear but it’s in the back of the cupboard now, it’s been there for yonks. It’s got my old swag which I’ve had for about eight or nine years. I can’t throw it away.
I’m selling The Big Issue out at Parramatta nearly every morning now, and I’m working at Rhodes during the lunch hour. I’m going to start doing Newtown again on Saturday mornings, so you’ll see me there bright and early outside the IGA.
I’ve been selling the magazine for 20 years now. It’s a source of income; I haven’t been dependent on anyone at all. It’s also about the interaction with other people. I enjoy going out there and catching up with people.”
