Fremantle Dockers’ Friend of the Foundation ‘The Big Issue’ magazine celebrated its 20th anniversary with a 72-page special edition and had some special vendors to help mark the occasion.
Michael Barlow and Lee Spurr, who had previously sold the magazines last December for the magazines 500th issue, took to Murray Street mall for a good cause on Monday morning.
“We really appreciate the work the vendors do for The Big Issue, for the community and for themselves as well,” Barlow said.
While Spurr won the friendly competition with three magazines sold to Barlow’s two, the Fremantle defender said he’d developed a great appreciation for the vendors in his short experience in their role.
“It’s a tough gig (for the vendors) doing the sales,” Spurr said.
“(But) It’s for a good cause, you just have to put yourself out there and the people that support and run it are great.”
The Big Issue doesn’t just provide a quality publication for the community, but also an opportunity for those who need it most, according to WA State operations manager Andrew Joske.
“We’re celebrating 20 years of the Big Issue and 20 years of providing opportunities for disadvantaged and marginalised Australians to be part of something, earn an income and get back on their feet,” Joske said.
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The 20th anniversary edition of The Big Issue provides a retrospective of the magazine’s achievements in its two-decade history and its positive outreach in the community.
“Our vendors buy the magazine for $3.50, sell it for $7 and keep the profits, and in the past 20 years we’ve put $23 million into the pocket of homeless and disadvantaged,” he said.
“We currently have more than 500 vendors and have had more than 5000 in the history of the magazine.”
While the Freo players and budding Big Issue vendors were appreciative of the opportunity to help out, Joske said the partnership between The Big Issue and the Fremantle Dockers was beneficial to everyone.
“It’s huge for us,” he said.
“It means a lot to our vendors when high profile people like Lee and Michael take the time to do something with us, sell the magazine, support us and get the magazine out there.
“It’s a massive source of confidence and a big boost to the self-esteem of our vendors.”
