Meet your vendor.
I was born and bred in WA, a real sandgroper. I had an accident when I was very young, which caused a brain injury and cerebral palsy. But I don’t let it get me down. Back in the day people used to be cruel and call me names, but I didn’t listen to any of that – I just laughed. And times have changed now.
I take things as they come and try not to take things too seriously. I have a positive attitude towards life and always share a warm, infectious smile with others.
At school I was a bit cheeky, and I still am really. I wasn’t the best student. But I had friends and I got along with people.
Many years ago, before I started this job, I was living in a group home. I was unhappy; there wasn’t much to do, and I was bored a lot of the time. But my family helped me move out, and I have my own space now. It’s better for me. Our house is colourful, full of art – and we even have a disco ball. Our house manager is the perfect carer. Sometimes he brings his dogs Pepper and Teddy over for visits, which I love.
Someone I met had been selling the magazine and told me all about it. I had done volunteering before, but The Big Issue was my first paid job.
I have mostly stayed in the same selling spot in the city since I started. It’s a busy area, and there are always lots of people around. Sometimes there are buskers and night markets nearby. It gets very busy. I usually finish work around three in the afternoon.
I have a big family: four sisters and a stepbrother, my mum and loads of nieces and nephews. We don’t see each other all the time, but they’re still around. I have a close relationship with two of my sisters, and we keep in touch all the time.
When I’m not working, some weeks I go swimming and I have a modified bike that I love going out for rides on.
I also enjoy art. I have loved drawing and creative things since I was a child. I didn’t really go to formal art classes; I mostly learned by myself. My style is to use every colour in the rainbow. I even have a couple of paintings hanging in The Big Issue office.
To relax, I watch the idiot box. I’m a big Home and Away fan, and I watch movies from my video and DVD collection. Yes, I still have videos. I like old-school movies, like Sister Act and Sister Act 2.
The money I make selling The Big Issue comes in very handy. It helps me buy books and pay my bills. Sometimes I put it towards my physical therapy, and sometimes I just try and save a little bit.
What I like most about it is working on my own and being my own boss. I also like chatting with my customers and I like listening to, and sometimes singing along with, some of the buskers.
I love selling The Big Issue. I think I’m pretty good at it. If you want to stop by for a chat – you can’t miss me. Just look for the brightest person in the city.
Robert sells The Big Issue at Carillon Arcade in Murray Street Mall, Perth
Interview by Chad Hedley and Lingrong Wu
Photo by Ross Swanborough
Published in ed#760
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