I was born on the Darling Downs in Queensland. My father was born there, and his father, too. I got two younger brothers and an older sister, Kim, who passed away a few years ago. I had a good childhood. I was close to my father – he was placid like me, and he was always kind. My mum and dad did have problems in their marriage, which could be traumatic for me and perhaps made me a bit shy. Mum was and still is a big sports person, so we all played a lot of sport. I ended up in the Queensland titles for swimming.
Then in year 11 I got asked to be a clerical assistant with Brisbane’s Irrigation and Water Supply Commission. I took the job and did that for a couple of years, then went on to sell shoes and handbags wholesale. I was a bit of a hippy then, and so was my best friend, who I still stay in touch with now. We became adventurous. I did fruit picking, I did bar work, I cleaned towels and served breakfast at hotels. The best was when I became a primary school teacher in Darwin.
I’ve always been curious by nature and, I suppose, courageous. Even though I did courses and got certificates, I never pursued any career. I think choices that I made throughout my life – I drank, I smoked, you know – interfered with me pursuing those careers.
In 2000, I wound up in Sydney with nowhere to live or sleep. At the time there was a real concern for all the homeless, because the city didn’t know what to do with them while they were hosting the Olympics. I slept in a churchyard for about a month before I found a place in Paddington. It was a dingy room, but it was a roof over my head during the winter.
Before selling The Big Issue I volunteered at Vinnies, and I’d see a vendor called Kerry on the way to work. For years he’d be encouraging me to join up. I finally gave it a go and sold eight magazines on my first day, and I really liked being out amongst society. I’m happy to talk about my life with anybody, to a degree, because I’ve had an unusual one. And I’ve met great people who have helped me along the way.
Discipline is the biggest form of self-love: it keeps your life clean and clear. Every morning I set my alarm, I come to work, do a few hours. I rescued a cat – Paddy, who was born on St Patrick’s Day – and I enjoy being with him at home at the end of the day. I keep to myself a lot, but since I’ve been free from drugs, alcohol and nicotine for four years now, I feel so much more alive.
Even though I’ve only been at Big Issue for 11 months, I was able to buy a car with my savings, which is great. I’d like to keep working for another couple of years at least. The future scares you sometimes, but looking ahead, I just want to be happy, really. Everything I’ve been through in my life, I think it’s formed me into the person I am. Without these things you don’t see life through the same eyes; it changes how you treat people.
Do I have regrets? Sure, but I don’t sit there and feel sorry for myself – I just get on with life. My brother would always say I was resilient.
Sharyn sells The Big Issue at Queens Plaza and the corner of Edward and Anne Streets, Brisbane
Interview by Eliza Janssen
Photo by Andrew Porfyri
Published in ed#767