The sign before the bridge in Morpeth says “Only one heavy vehicle at a time”. The old wooden construction provides a visible clue this sign should be obeyed. Now, if you actually go under the bridge and view its support structure you will be inclined even more to do so. It is very old, rusted and it does not seem to receive a lot of maintenance. Never the less it has a lot of character.
I always have mixed feelings when I see young people begging for money. Usually, it makes me angry as in Australia the social support system is quite extensive. Also, currently Australia is experiencing lowest unemployment numbers in a very long time. Another words if someone wants a job they have a very good chance of finding it.
Having said all of that I could not feel anything else but sorry for this young woman. She wasn’t even actively asking for money. She just sat in the middle of Pitt Street Mall, quite helpless and lost.
Now, this is a place where not only she will get some spare change. I often see people from various charities approaching the homeless and people in need. Seconds after I took this photograph an older woman approached the girl and had a very long conversation with her, passing some brochures in an attempt to help her or let her know where she can find help.
Sadly, 30 minutes later when I was returning from my lunch the girl still was there.
The sign of this beggar says: “I need to work to eat and I need to eat to work. Catch 22” and his second board says “No house, no home, no phone, brain damage, no family support, desperate”.
I must say when I saw him and these two signs I though these were the wittiest homeless boards I have seen to date. I wonder if he only knows the phrase of “Catch 22″ or has he also read the very cleverly written novel Catch-22 by Joseph Heller.
Heller demonstrates, in prosaic term, quite a philosophical dilemma, where little choice exists and although a remote possibility exists for desired to occur the reality is such that it never happens.
I have been asked today to support this fund raiser. It is quite out of character for me as usually I post articles and photos that relate to things I encounter myself. I have looked at the fund raiser and although it has a clear commercial context decided to put my support behind it. It is very simple. Please watch a 30 or so seconds promotional video from Microsoft and they will donate $1 per viewer to support Learning for Life program.
How does it relate to the Hyde Park photo? Well this park has a very dark side. Beautiful by day it becomes a refuge for many young people by night. I would hope that some of charity money may prevent a young person from having to live there or allow them to leave this park behind them on a way to a more rewarding and full filling life.
Watch a short Microsoft Office 2007 Charity demo and Microsoft will donate $1 to The Smith Family
From May 15 2008, for every short Microsoft Office 2007 Charity demo that is viewed, Microsoft will donate $1 to The Smith Family’s Learning for Life program. Help Microsoft reach the $100,000 goal and Aussie kids get the education they need for a brighter future.
Visit http://www.Microsoft.com.au/donatenow for more information.
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