(Photo: Peter Holcroft)
This year marks James’ 12th anniversary as a Big Issue vendor. He has come a long way since sleeping on the 12.09am Lithgow train to stay warm during the night.
“I’ve been a vendor since February of 2001. When I started, I didn’t know what I was going to do. Now my life has improved entirely. Instead of being on the streets, I’ve got my own one-bedroom apartment in Glebe. It’s been great,” he said.
As a consequence of having a stable income, James is now able to enjoy other activities outside of work. “Now that I am getting steady money, and living a more structured life I have taken up some hobbies including watching rugby and jumping on the ferries. It’s a nice cruise across the harbour, and gives me a bit of time to catch up on my reading,” he said.
“I want to give a mention to the Sonoma coffee shop near my pitch and to my local watering hole, The Ancient Briton Hotel, where I go for a beer after work. And to the Vinnies on Glebe Point Road – I find it handy for clothes, books and pictures. Most of the stuff I’ve got at home I got from Vinnies.”
