Moonee Ponds retiree Ernie Green helps the underbelly of society

MEET Ernie Green, the 85-year-old Moonee Ponds man with a volunteer job few would sign up for. But the self-professed “tough old bugger” says he loves what he does.

Ernie Green has volunteered to help accused criminals for 11 years. Picture: Rob Leeson.

ERNIE Green meets drug addicts, accused murderers, petty thieves and carjackers.

He’s not a police officer or a judge, he’s not a lawyer or a prison guard or a counsellor.

He helps them too, sits with them, alone in a room, at any time of day or night.

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Ernie Green has volunteered to help accused criminals any time of the day or night, for 11 years. Picture: Rob Leeson.

For 10 out of the past 11 years, 85-year-old retired purchasing manager Ernie Green has been on call as an Independent Third Person volunteer for the Office of the Public Advocate.

Mr Green drives to police stations and courtrooms across northern and western Melbourne; from Sunbury to to Footscray, to make sure people who have any sort of cognitive impairment and are in custody or have witnessed a crime, understand their rights.

He is an independent check on proper police processes.

“We explain the rights they have as a citizen. We make sure they completely understand those rights before the interview,” he said.

“You meet quite a diverse range of people, some of them resent being arrested and are very volatile and aggressive. Others are apologetic.”

Ernie Green with his wife Lorraine Green, who pushed him into volunteering after he hung around the house too much after retirement. Picture: Rob Leeson.

Mr Green said dealing with some of the most dangerous and unpredictable people in Melbourne is rewarding work.

“You meet quite a lot of different people and yes, the other week I was with a 14-year-old girl and she was absolutely vile, but that’s rare.

“If they’re on ice or coming down from ice they can be very, very aggressive. But that’s not common.”

He admits it’s not always easy.

“It’s tough when you find out what they’ve done. I’m only one of two in the northern suburbs who can go to homicides.”

“You can meet homeless people who have nowhere to go.”

Helping parents who have abused their children is the hardest part, he said.

But he got through it.

“I’m a tough old bugger.”

He also survives the long hours.

Until last year, Mr Green was on call 24/7.

Now he “only” works 7am to 7pm, every day of the week.

Mr Green’s wife Lorraine Green pushed him to start volunteering when he retired and hung around the house all day.

She doesn’t mind her husband shuffling around at 2am in the morning when he’s called out, she “turns over and goes back to sleep”, Mr Green said.

Two weeks ago, Mr Green was recognised for his dedication with a Victorian Government service award.

“They asked if I would consider being nominated for the award and I said no, I’m not interested in rewards. But they convinced me in the end,” he said.

Mr Green was such an expert in his role he now trains new recruits, but has no plans of giving up his primary role.

“I’ll keep doing this until I can’t anymore.”

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