Year of Pope John Paul II

Sydney
19 January

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Year of Pope John Paul II

Year of Pope John Paul II

Waving to worshippers gathered for Mass on New Year's Day 2003

By Damir Govorcin

As the St Vincent de Paul Society Night Patrol van pulls into Martin Place, we are greeted with a beaming smile from a homeless woman called Judy.

"You guys are on time tonight," she says.

It's 8.30 pm on a balmy night and a group of 45 homeless people are waiting to be fed.

They form two lines at the back of the van and are served a variety of items such as coffee, tea, bread rolls, meat pies, cakes, doughnuts and sandwiches.

But it's Judy who steals the show. She welcomes the Night Patrol's co-ordinator, Tony McDonald, with a hug and a kiss, and gives him a Christmas card.

The card reads: "To all the boys of the Night Patrol, you are all stars, love Judy."

Judy is in her mid-40s and is mentally ill. You can't help but be touched by her warmth and her bubbly personality.

"Judy is one of the streets' real characters," says Tony. "We have developed a strong friendship over the years. When she was in hospital, she put me down as her next of kin.

"Everybody looks after Judy on the streets. They all know her and love her."

Judy was proudly showing off her autograph book, which contains the names of several NSW state cricketers.

"Judy loves her sport and teams such as Gordon rugby union club and the NSW cricket team have befriended her," says Tony. "She goes to training and scores herself an invite to the cricket. She has been seen in the members' stand at the Sydney Cricket Ground."

Tony walks around busily chatting with both young and old, and they greet him with a smile or a handshake.

As he surveys the gathered throng, Tony reflects on the irony of Martin Place.

"You are surrounded by all this wealth," he says. "You have Westpac, Reserve Bank of Australia and State Parliament, yet you have this contrast of the poor and homeless."

The Night Patrol is more than just providing food and drink to the homeless. It's offering the hand of friendship, helping out your brother and sister.

For people living on the edge, it's the link to the real world. Life has dealt them a bad hand, and society may have turned its back on them. But not Vinnies. For 364 days of the year (except New Year's Eve), more than 600 volunteers offer their time, support and friendship to those suffering from various problems including mental illness, drug and alcohol abuse, gambling, unemployment, homelessness and the breakdown of family life.

"You develop relationships and become a part of their support network," says Tony.

"There's always an upbeat feeling when we talk to the homeless. They like the human contact and get comfortable with seeing a familiar, friendly face.

"When I'm walking in the city, I'm often stopped by the homeless people I know for a chat. They introduce me to other people as their friend, which is a nice feeling."

Tony, a teacher at Marist College, North Shore, has been involved in the Night Patrol since 1991. He often takes current and ex-students out with him to give them an "eye-opening experience". On this night, ex-student Brendan Smith has come along to offer his support. Brendan has been involved in Night Patrol for the past four years and enjoys putting the smiles on the homeless people's faces.

"It makes you appreciate what you have," said Brendan. "They treat you as a friend, not someone giving them a hand-out."

Not everyone can get all the food they want. With the Night Patrol taking in five locations in the Sydney CBD, the crew has to make sure there's enough to go around.

"People ask for a few things, but sometimes you just have to say no," says volunteer Paul Redfern. "There simply wouldn't be enough food to go around if it was a free-for-all."

The scene at the other destinations, such as St Mary's Cathedral, Tom Uren Square, Darlinghurst, and Central railway station, is much the same.

Some of the people who were at Martin Place have shown up, looking for another feed and a chat.

John Finneran, president of Night Patrol for the past three years, says there are more than 110,000 homeless men and women in Australia.

"We simply have too many people on the street, and the government needs to do something about it," said John.

"More people suffering from mental illness have been forced out of institutions and have become homeless. Gambling is also ruining lives. People are losing money and can't afford to look after themselves.

"There has been an increase in domestic violence. More women are finding themselves on the streets."

In NSW/ACT, Night Patrol has been around since the 1960s and services areas such as the Sydney CBD, Liverpool, Parramatta, Wollongong, Wyong and Canberra.

It is the biggest Vinnies' special works program in Australia.

The Commonwealth Bank is ending its sponsorship in March, so the Night Patrol is in need of a new sponsor to continue its work.

"The sponsor will get value for their dollar," said John. "They will get maximum exposure all over the city with their name emblazoned on the van."

The Night Patrol "is carrying out Christ's work", he says.

"Christ helped people living on the edge and this is what the Night Patrol does. You get depressed with what you see, but I live by the motto of faith, love and hope," he said.

"It can be difficult at times, but knowing people rely on your support makes what we do so rewarding."

John says the message of helping the less fortunate is getting through to young people.

In the past three years, more than 600 young people have come out on Night Patrol.

"It can be quite confronting, because there's a fear of insecurity," he said.

"I have had a couple of rough-nut kids come along, but by the end of the night they have a different perspective. They realise these people may be homeless, but they are still people and deserve our respect.

"Young people are seeing the Church in a practical way."