Meet Your Vendor
I was born in Melbourne, and moved to Geelong in 1998, when I was nine, turning 10. Geelong is a good community. It was better for us kids. I’m the baby of the family: I’ve got one sister and two brothers. We’re still very close.
I went to school with people with special needs, because I’ve got a disability myself. It’s a learning disability. I fitted in real well, and I made a lot of friends out there. I did VCAL for two years, and graduated at 18.
My parents owned a caravan park for a number of years, down in Portarlington. I started working there when I was 14 or 15 as a groundsman: mowing, painting and that kinda stuff. I was doing that until about four or five years ago, when I decided to stop. At that time, I sprained my ankle – worse luck! – and Mum and Dad were close to retiring anyway.
I wouldn’t be where I am today without those two. Especially Mum, she has been the biggest support of my life, especially with things that have got to do with my disability. She has been great, hands on. Dad has been a support, too. I love them both for it.
I’m a hard worker. I get that from Dad – he was a police officer back in the day. So was Mum. I started selling The Big Issue about 15 years ago. I got the job through a mate of mine who used to do it: Shane, he’s like a brother to me. I think The Big Issue is good for the community; we’re giving back to the community. The customers are great, and I wouldn’t change it because we’re doing what we love to do.
I was 22 when I got my John Farnham tattoo. I’m a huge, huge fan! Who doesn’t love Farnsy? He is one of my biggest role models of all time: his music, his voice and the way he goes about it with the crowds. My favourite song is ‘You’re the Voice’. He’s one of the best singers in the world. I’ve seen him perform twice. And I’ve even seen Eminem once.
I’m saving up for a holiday, probably to Port Fairy to go fishing for five days. I have a support worker who takes me out anywhere I want once a week, that includes going fishing, bowling, whatever. Portarlington is the usual place we go fishing, but I haven’t caught a fish in Port for 10 years. I just love being outdoors. I’m out of Mum’s hair. It’s my time to get away from the whole family, and I need that time to myself.
It’s also what I like about The Big Issue: I can go to work and concentrate on what I’m doing, and then go home. I love the job, and I’m not going to quit until my body says so.
Scott sells The Big Issue at Market Square and Woolworths, Pakington St, Geelong.
Interview by Amy Hetherington
Photo by Cameron Murray
Published in ed#736