Oh my god, what can I say? I don’t know how many schools I went to when I was a kid. We moved a lot. I think it was five schools. I started in Queensland, then I moved to NSW and had to repeat Year 4. In Year 9, I wanted to leave, but I hung in there. Because of my disability, the teachers helped me out and I started doing more work experience through Lambing Flat Enterprises. I started off doing recycling, but ended up going to the laundry. Through them, I also did a welding course that I’d love to do again.
I started off selling at Wynyard Park – that’s when I was living on the street down at Circular Quay, after my parents threw me out back in 98. Families are complicated. I was down at The Station Ltd drop-in centre, and I called The Big Issue.
The Nick Cave edition was my 600th edition as a vendor. I started selling The Big Issue in March 2001, Ed#121. The Nick Cave edition was Ed#721. It is absolutely huge – I can’t believe it! Things have changed a lot.
When I moved to Glebe, the vendor support office asked if I wanted to start selling down there. On the 3rd of September, it was 22 years of me selling on Glebe Point Road. I love it there – every day’s a new day, and I never know who’s gonna be around. Every time I have something like a vendor profile or a story or a milestone in the magazine, I always make up a sign to mark the occasion and let my customers know.
When I first started selling, another vendor Marcus took me under his wing. Every time I stepped out of line, he used to give me a massive lecture! He used to call me Junior. He was my mentor. It’s been an emotional time for me since Marcus passed away. Every time I visit the vendor support office I visit his photo. I got up and spoke at his funeral. Now, when I see new vendors, I mentor them as well.
I sell the mag four or five days a week, and the money really makes a difference. I’m in a private rental now, waiting on a one-bedroom flat with the Department of Housing, and I’m living day by day. I use the money for groceries and things. I get help doing a budget.
I’m into V8 Supercars and I’ve been to Bathurst with a mate six times – I’ve just loved cars since I was a kid. I’m also into metal, and Machine Head are a favourite band. I’ve seen them a bunch of times – the last was in Sydney a few months ago. It was awesome, but when I’m at home at night I like to listen to the radio – WSFM is nice and chill music. Metal is for when I go out.
Oh my gosh, doing the photo shoot for this vendor profile was – wow. I got to wear my favourite frock, and I got a haircut, but I’m going to let my hair grow again.
I’m going to keep selling the mag. I just love it so much. What would I do without it? We’ll have to plan something special for my 700th edition.
James sells The Big Issue on Glebe Point Road, Sydney
Interview by Mel Fulton
Photo by Michael Quelch
Published in Ed#723