Excited for a sleep in tomorrow morning. It's been an insanely busy week. If I have not replied to a message from you, please let me know, I just got to a point where I couldnt keep up.
I went to BCF - Boating, Camping, Fishing Keperra today to pick up another 20 tents. Sarah, the manager, had been scrambling to get the stock in as their warehouse was out of stock. They had them sent in from other stores around Brisbane. So appreciate their support and discounts, it is a huge help to us.
Kim Liddell has out done herself again with another delivery of 40 bed packs!! I always enjoy opening them with our friends as I never know what's going to be in them. We had a good laugh when a guy got a toy bunny in one tonight. He also got a couple of razors and said it was awesome because he needs to shave and doesn't like it when he hasn't shaved.
I started the night by popping out to Kurilpa. One of the managers at Brisbane City Council spoke to me today about the trouble they had trying to clean up in the area on Thursday. The kids had been quite hostile, and wouldn't let them clean anything up, including the tent that was slashed up that I had replaced. I said I would have a chat to them, as they need to be careful about their behaviour down there. The contractors who normally clean the bbq area aren't visiting anymore because of safety concerns, and with the Public Safety Liaison Officers not being able to clean up either, it's possible things could get out of control pretty fast. I managed to speak to a couple of them about making sure they aren't rude, and engage with the BCC team. I asked one of them to clear their stuff out of the slashed tent, and I will pack it up for BCC to collect.
I got a call from a gentleman I had supported a while back. He had been in the watch house for a couple of nights and just been released. He wasn't able to stay in his previous accommodation, so needed a tent for the night. I took him to Musgrave Park and put him in a tent.
I then headed out to New Farm Park to help an Elder with a new tent. It's not often I head out that way. I set her up with an amazing bed set, she was in a tiny little tent up until then.
She told me that another guy had been sleeping on the concrete near her tent to keep an eye on her, but he had said he didn't want a tent. He returned just before I left, all he had was a sleeping bag. I asked him if he was sure he didn't want a tent. He said no, but then asked what my name was. I told him Paul, and he said ah, I know you, ok. Once he knew who I was and felt he could trust me he was open to a tent, so I set him up one too. He showed me a photo of his 2 young daughters. He said he hadn't seen them since Christmas, and hoped to get to see them on Father's day. He has just recently started a new job as a butcher. Such a lovely man.
I got a call from another man I support, who was trying to sleep in a car park stairwell. I told him I could set him up a tent, so I told him to head to Musgrave. On the way in I grabbed some Macca's for him and the first guy I helped, as he had been asking about food, so I thought it would be a nice surprise. When I got there, the second guy told me the first guy had just been taken away by the police. I was really surprised as he told me he had just been released from the watch house. His tent was still there.
We sat and had a bite to eat for a bit, and talked about his troubles. He suffers from mental health issues, and has many challenges.
As I was about to set up his tent, I saw another guy in the park with his dog. I said hello and talked about the dog (I love dogs). I asked him if he lived in the area. He said his brother has a unit right next to the park, but he had recently had a stroke and lost bodily functions and couldnt talk much or move his left side of his body. He was visiting multiple times a week to help and take his dog for a walk. His brother is only 43. It was really sad to hear. It just reminded me how everyone is going through a journey, and you never know what the person next to you has going on in their life. It's also a reminder to enjoy your life, and do what you love, you just never know what's around the corner.
As I was finishing the tent, the first guy came back! He said that when the police took him to the watch house again the supervisor said he didn't need to be there, so the police brought him back, must have been an issue in their database or something. I was glad as he got to eat the burgers chips nuggets and drink!
I often pull of the tags BCC out on my tents that are still occupied, and I throw them in my car. Tonight I noticed one had something written on the back. I've taken a photo. I was thinking of asking anyone what they think the initials SMD MF means, but then it occured to me what it is, so maybe let's not play that game. While I always advise my friends to be respectful to BCC and other agencies, I'm sure it is stressful to find a sign saying the tent is going to be removed, so I can understand why they lash out. Always best to engage with them as much as possible though.
Home by 10.30pm and time for sleep soon! ❤️❤️❤️
Comments