Gold Coast homeless tell their story as Surfers Paradise refuge opens its doors for winter

ADAM may be sleeping on concrete on the streets of Surfers Paradise but he has a calm, gentle demeanour one doesn’t usually associate with homeless people.

Pictured at St Johns Church in Surfers Paradise Community members that attend the church at Meal Times, Morgan Russell Rev Jon Brook and Alan Eastwood. Picture Mike Batterham

ADAM may be sleeping on concrete on the streets of Surfers Paradise but he has a calm, gentle demeanour one doesn’t usually associate with homeless people.

The other thing that strikes you is his gratitude for small luxuries like a doona.

“It’s getting cold now and a little girl at the church I go to — the pastor’s daughter — gave me that doona,” he said, pointing to his brown hessian shopping bag stuffed with his possessions. “It makes a big difference.”

He is also unwaveringly optimistic: “I’ll get my disability pension on Saturday and I’ll try and find accommodation. It will all happen and it will be nice,” he said.

The mild-mannered man said he had been offered a room by a member of his church.

Originally from NSW and with only an uncle on the Gold Coast, Adam hasn’t given up either on marrying and starting a family.

“Hopefully, someday I’ll meet a nice women and have some children. If not, I’ll be all right,” he said pragmatically.

Like most homeless people, the former factory worker has had his share of tough times.

“I was staying in a boarding house in Southport many years ago when I was attacked by a man with a tomahawk,” he said.

His confused, distressed attacker was dying of brain cancer and Adam seems to hold no malice against him — despite his injury triggering a mental illness — and a spiral into homelessness.

He points in the direction of where he sleeps at night and said police turned a blind eye to him because he didn’t cause any trouble.

“I don’t feel unsafe. I’ve only had one incident — I was drugged and raped — but it is lonely. I keep to myself and if the public is nasty to me, I turn a deaf ear,” he said.

He spends his pension on food, drink and he admitted a bit guiltily that he smoked. He said he gave up drugs years ago.

Adam, 46, is a regular at St John’s Crisis Centre in Hamilton Ave, Surfers Paradise. Volunteers show compassion and love by serving a hot, nutritious meal from 11am every day to up to 50 battlers.

They come lonely, socially isolated, unemployed or homeless and each has his or her story.

They carry their bags, pillows and sleeping bags. Some are on drugs — or coming off them — and most are reserved but polite. St John’s is a safe haven for them where they are treated with compassion and respect.

“St John’s are friendly. They are lovely, lovely people,” Adam said.

And what does the rest of his day look like after his feed?

“I walk down to Main Beach and sit on the beach. I have a swim or a cold shower at the beachfront,” he said.

He points out that cold showers have to do these days since hot water was removed from the bus terminal. “But that’s OK.”

Later, he heads to a local pub for a few drinks before he settles down for the night on the pavement, which he said was not a problem.

“I’m able to sleep for a few hours, which is good,” he said matter-of-factly.

Adam’s story is not typical of everyone who is drawn to St John’s: Alan Eastwood, 68, is a retired English schoolteacher who struggles with epilepsy, triggered by a head injury.

Unlike most other clients, he has a roof over his head — he shares an apartment in Surfers — but has no family here and goes to St John’s to connect with other people.

“I come here for a meal and for the social interaction. If I didn’t, I would get very down,” he said.

“The people at St John’s give me a kind of moral support. I know that someone cares. This is a phenomenal service. They look after so many people.”

Barry, 37, agreed.

“They give me a sense of belonging. I get a nutritious meal here like when I was growing up,” he said.

“The homeless feel welcome and everyone is treated with respect. I see the love of God here. My family has died and I come here when I need company or support.”

Reverend Jon (correct) Brook, of St John’s, said more than 40 people were fed daily and helped with services. The aim was to show the love of God to the city’s broken people while treating them with dignity.

The church, built in 1946, was the first on the Gold Coast to open its doors at night to the homeless. However, this has had to be shelved while the old building undergoes a desperately-needed upgrade to make it safe.

For more details, call 5531 6013 or visit stjohnscc.org.au.