I can say in all fairness that our BBQs for the Homeless and Others in Need are something very special, perhaps even unique. Each BBQ and its lead-up make me fall in love with humanity because I get the privilege of meeting and knowing so many beautiful, generous, selfless people for whom nothing is too much when it comes to helping others. They cook, they bake, they sort community donations such as clothes, shoes, toiletries, children’s toys and much more. They collect donations from their own little armies of supporters, they pick donations up and drop them off. They help us set up in the morning, they serve food and drinks, they manage the donation tables, they talk with our guests and make them feel welcome and at home. They share a meal, they serve by sharing their skills (think hair dressers, podiatrists, nurses and doctors) and by using their equipment (PA system, laundry and shower). They pick up the rubbish, and afterwards they help us pack up and leave the park spotless. The list goes on. We have an amazing patron who travels from afar to attend each BBQ. As a member of our Circle of Inspiration he has conversations with people who come to see him, injecting them with understanding, empathy, hope and self-belief. So many people give their precious time selflessly on their precious free Sunday (and leading up to it!) to help, and whatever their contribution is, it comes straight from the heart. At our BBQs nobody pays for anything and nobody gets paid, but everybody gives and receives a lot of priceless, heartfelt and often much needed kind interaction.

We are proud that our BBQs are full of connection; social inclusion and equality are things we hold very dear, and obviously our events create them and are created with them in mind. It is heart-warming to see our guests sitting around the table or in the grass under the trees, socializing and enjoying a delicious meal together; they rarely have that opportunity. It is great to see them connect comfortably with our volunteers and with the support services. It is also wonderful to see the volunteers and services connect and re-connect with each other when they recognize each other from previous BBQs. They all simply have the same goal: helping the homeless and others in need and contributing to a fantastic day.

It doesn’t matter whether you live in a house or on the street, whether you own a business empire or only have the clothes on your back. At our BBQs everyone is equal, and our guests feel they are in good company. They can talk, laugh, joke, they make eye contact, they hug, they stand up straighter as they gain some confidence and some self esteem. In a world where they are too often ordered to go elsewhere (without advice of where that “elsewhere” is), our BBQs are a safe place where they can just “be”, where they are wholeheartedly welcome and aren’t sent away but instead are spoilt, encouraged to have another serve of fabulous food or pick another jumper. They walk away with “new” clothes, a new haircut perhaps, a health check under their belt and some non-perishable foods. If they trust you, they will tell you about themselves, opening you up to a world that may be very different from yours, but that nonetheless is a world that is real and that is being lived. It’s their everyday reality. You will probably never forget the people you meet and the stories you hear. Suddenly a faceless, shapeless, homeless individual becomes a human being just like you, shaped by different circumstances but with the same needs, and probably a few other similarities too.

That is what our BBQs do: they bring people closer together where otherwise there is a gap. We hope to create a more coherent community by increasing understanding and tolerance of our homeless and otherwise marginalized fellow human beings. Our BBQs for the Homeless and Others in Need are beneficial for everyone, not just for our guests. We all learn, we all grow our spirit and our heart, we all feel good when we can give or receive some kindness and when we see the joy in other people’s faces when our kindness is received. We either become more understanding and more appreciative of our own lives, or we become less daunted by meeting people who live in houses and are what they call “successful”. At our BBQs we are all actually seen for who we really are: human beings. Full stop.

Berni  2020

We are back by popular demand! In June last year we rolled into Cherbourg to have one of our BBQs across from the beautiful Ration Shed Museum, and as always we brought food, clothes, shoes, toiletries, children’s toys. While we were organizing the many, MANY things that need to be organized when holding a BBQ close to 300km northwest of where we are located, we spoke to the Cherbourg Council about what they would need the most. The answer was school books, school supplies and educational games. We put the word out, and were grateful to have been donated many, MANY of these by our beautiful Signal Flare community.

Read more: BACK TO CHERBOURG

Homelessness really gets me talking. My involvement started over three years ago when a mutual friend introduced me to Grant Richards, one of the Big Issue vendors in Brisbane city at the time. I bought a magazine from him, and we talked. Many times. Having been homeless himself, he talked about homelessness, helping the homeless and the BBQs he organised for homeless people and others in need. I decided to help. Many affectionately called him Grant the Polite Guy and, after helping others together for some time and developing a close friendship, he nicknamed me Bernie the Polite Girl, and us together as The Polite Team. A big honour!

Read more: MAKING A DIFFERENCE – a volunteer’s perspective

Grant Richards is a cheerful, blue-eyed man with a warm smile and a friendly demeanour. You would never know from talking to him that he had been to hell and back over the years. Drawing knowledge and strength from his own personal experiences, he now spends as much time as possible trying to help people in a similar situation. Natalie O’Driscoll spoke with him to find out more.

Read more: Grant Richards’ story

A staggering number of homeless people in Brisbane are children, according to research compiled as part of the 500 Lives 500 Homes ­project. Community service providers and volunteers surveyed 548 homeless individuals and 177 families around Brisbane during two weeks in March.

"The reality is that many individuals and families can slide into homelessness with one major hit to their income, whether this be losing their jobs or a change to their government income. A strong state needs to consider not only the economic pillars, but the social infrastructure pillar as well."