I have a disability. I wasn’t good at school, but I had a teacher who helped me. My first job was with my father, which was very hard – I was working as a builder’s labourer, like, 12 hours a day on a building site. And then after that, Mum got me an apprenticeship as a baker.
I also sold encyclopaedias, but my heart just wasn’t in it. I did try other jobs. Piecework, really. I worked at a factory where you had to cut up rags on a machine, and you were paid per bag. And then I did horticulture training at the gardens at Wacol. It gave me good training. I still like giving flowers – just being nice.
I started with The Big Issue around 28, 29 years ago. I’m 75 now and am happy here. It’s the people’s magazine and there’s great stories in there. Like the one about the underdog [Ed#770]. Dolly [Parton, Ed#769] was really great for selling because she was a very compassionate woman. She came to Australia, you know? When she came here, she gave away books to the kids. She was a worker, Dolly. It was a good idea to put her on the cover.
The Streetsheets are always good. I like to hear about other vendors, what they’re up to. I liked the one about someone who visited the zoo [Annemarie H, Ed#768]. I sent in one about the cover, you know, with the 30th [birthday celebrations]. Grant [in vendor support] was lovely in making this big poster. He put it on the wall, and everyone signed it, for the 30th. Grant’s very compassionate. He helps anyone who comes in. If they want food, he gives them food and coffee. He’s a very kind person. I’m only giving my opinion, but he’s a nice person.
[Grant: “I appreciate all this, but this isn’t my hour!”]
I like going to Toowong when it’s not raining: it’s like half an hour on the bus. I do have my regulars. You get different people. Sometimes pensioners and ladies. Sometimes they buy, and sometimes people whinge about the money. But that’s fine. They can say yes or no. Sometimes the magazine sales are up and down. I think we’re heading for a recession, and some people are worried about their money a little bit. There have been times people give you $10 and don’t take the magazine. Sometimes people give you lunch. Sometimes people think you’re homeless.
I live in a housing commission, and I get by with the money I get from selling The Big Issue. It gives me enough so I can save some money – maybe just so I can buy a lunch or go out somewhere, like to a park or to the cinema. I haven’t changed my living.
Selling The Big Issue has let me see the kindness of people. I just hope to see a future selling more magazines. I don’t plan too much – just let things go the way they go. Next Saturday, I’m going to the markets at Davies Park.
I’d like to see my family at Christmas, my sister – have lunch with her, and I’ll pay for it. Just have a good time at Christmas, you know, when it comes. And I like giving out Christmas cards. I like seeing people smile.
Ted sells The Big Issue at Queens Plaza and Toowong in Brisbane
Interview by Jen Vuk
Photo by Andrew Porfyri
Published in ed#773