After two decades on the street, support worker Shane McCartney celebrates 5 years of Orange Sky Mackay

A support worker who lived on the streets for 20 years has thanked a Queensland charity celebrating five years helping the homeless community. Read how the service ‘made a big difference’ in his and many others’ lives.

At the tender age of 11 and fleeing an abusive household, Mackay man Shane McCartney found himself living on the streets.

For about the next 20 years, Mr McCartney lived rough and was surrounded by stigma.

Now a support worker for Southern Cross Support Services, Mr McCartney continues to see the struggles the homeless community faces.

As Mackay battles a housing crisis, he was one of many celebrating charity Orange Sky on its 5th anniversary in Mackay - a laundry services that would have made all the difference for him as a child.

“I didn’t go to school much because I was too embarrassed of my dirty clothes,” Mr McCartney said.

“People will make fun of you for dirty clothes (and) it’s a bit hard.

Orange Sky has helped Shane McCartney since it started in Mackay 5 years ago, who now helps others in return. Photo: Zoe Devenport

“Orange Sky has made a big difference.

“It’s given people somewhere to go where they can talk to their mates (and) wash their clothes.

“They might be able to get a job because they can wash their clothes.

“It gives them a lift.”

Orange Sky was founded in Brisbane as the world’s first free mobile laundry service for the homeless.

Orange Sky Mackay celebrated 5 years with cupcakes at their Juliet St location. Photo: Zoe Devenport

In October 2017, the charity expanded to Mackay in the devastating wake of Cyclone Debbie.

Don Leckenby, a pillar of the community, helped raise the initial funds for an Orange Sky laundry van that was soon named after him.

“I was here when they first started (with) a fellow called Don Leckenby,” Mr McCartney said.

“He used to look after us on the streets.

“He came here the other day and he said ‘You’re one of my successes, you’re doing so awesome’.

“It makes you feel good, ya’know?”

Don Leckenby with the first Orange Sky washing bus, The Don. Photo: Contributed

The “Don” van was retired in Mackay as Orange Sky debuted its laundry pods: a specially designed unit containing three washers, three dryers, and six chairs.

Orange Sky Mackay service co-ordinator Lisa Jamieson said “the first pod in Australia” was launched at their Sarina location at 65 Broad Street.

“We’ve got the second one (in the country),” she said.

Their central location at Vinnies on the corner of Juliet and Hamlet streets in Mackay was full of people washing clothes, eating cupcakes, and having a yarn on Friday to celebrate the anniversary.

The 2016 census estimated there to be around 700 people without reliable housing in the Mackay, Isaac and Whitsunday Region on any given day - a number which has likely risen given the region’s current housing crisis.

Orange Sky volunteers Judy Riddel and Katrina Dent celebrated 5 years with cupcakes in October 2022. Photo: Zoe Devenport

As cost of living rises and the housing crisis worsens, Mr McCartney said the one of the hardest aspects of homelessness was prejudice.

“The worst thing is when you’re homeless, people judge you,” he said.

“They don’t know why you’re homeless.

“It could be because of abuse or sexual (assault or) drugs.

“I’ll tell you straight out, I had a shi--y stepfather who used to flog me.

Shane McCartney is a support worker for Southern Cross Support Services, and encourages other men to apply for the gig. Photo: Zoe Devenport

“I had my teeth smashed out over the bathroom sink for no reason (and) I remember it all.”

He said he still didn’t “regret anything about the streets” and said his experience with homelessness helped him in his job as a social support officer.

“I’ve been in this job as a support worker for over a year now and I’m loving it,” he said.

“I suppose I’ve always been a caring person and I try not to judge.

“It’s the job I should have done a long time ago.

Nicholas Marchesi, Don Leckenby, Wendy Steindl, Alison Jones, Lucas Patchett launching the Orange Sky van in Mackay in 2017.

“I didn’t think I’d do all right in a female dominated job but I am.

“I get to go to the (Palmyra) drags with my clients and get paid for it.

“It’s a good job, but you’ve got to be the right sort of person.”

Mr McCartney said there was a high demand for male support workers and anyone interested should apply at Southern Cross Support Services.