Operated by Mission Australia, the facilities at Rapid Creek and Wanguri provide much-needed accommodation for single men like Doug. According to the 2006 Census, the NT’s rate of homelessness is four times the national average
Having slept without a roof over his head for almost 20 years, Doug now appreciates a bed, daily shower and being able to have “a decent feed” - something most Australians take for granted.
The 67-year-old has been a ‘long grasser’ in Darwin’s suburbs for the most part of 20 years. In that time he’s lost contact with his family and on several occasions ended up in the critical unit at the hospital.
Doug ended up sleeping rough with his only possessions in the trailer of his bike due to a spiral of unfortunate events. Born in Scotland, he moved to Australia with his parents in the 1940s and spent his early years on Kangaroo Island, SA.
He has worked as a shearer, stockman and a tradesman in welding and engineering. Arthritis and a heart attack, however, forced him to leave the workforce and go on a disability pension.
“Unaffordable rent has put me where I am today,” Doug said. “There is no way a person living alone on a pension can afford to rent.
“I reckon I have slept on every park bench from Rapid Creek to Mindil. I have slept for more than 10 years on concrete, have built humpies in the bush and found buildings where I felt safe and dry. But up here it is the wet that is the killer.”
Doug needs to take a cocktail of medication for his heart disease and arthritis.
“I rattle when I walk, but when you are sleeping out you can’t manage your drugs properly; you don’t have a fridge or can keep track of things. I just ended up chucking them away, which makes matters worse.”
Four weeks ago Doug was invited to join the Mission Australia single men’s supported accommodation program. He now shares a house in Rapid Creek with a mixed bunch of men, of varying ages, education levels and circumstances.
“We have a good crew here, everyone pulls his own weight. We support each other and this house gives us a chance to get our lives sorted out,” he said. “Some people don’t want to leave the long grass, but for those who do there are few options.”
It’s one of two supported accommodation facilities Mission Australia operates in Darwin’s north – and both are funded by the Australian and Northern Territory governments under the National Partnership Agreement on Homelessness.
The program assists single men to re-establish themselves in the community and make the transition to longer-term accommodation. They are given assistance with living skills, employment and a range of community services.
For Doug, this has meant getting his papers in order so he can get some identification, sorting out his medical condition and getting glasses so he can read. He has also re-established contact with a sister he hasn’t seen in 40 years and is now helping other long grassers by cooking them meals and making sure they’re okay.
Mission Australia’s Housing Support Initiatives Manager, Ian Murdoch JP said that National Homeless Persons’ Week highlighted the challenges that people like Doug have had to deal with.
“While the accommodation we provide is essential, it’s the work we do to help people get back on their feet as independent members of the community that’s really crucial,” he said.
“We will be holding barbecues at our single men’s supported accommodation houses and would love to have the local community visit and learn about our support programs.”
