Vendor’s smile to light up calendar

A much-loved Bunbury man has been featured in a commemorative calendar sold nationally to celebrate 25 years of the Big Issue magazine.

Bunbury vendor Bevan is already a familiar face in town and has been selling the magazine for 10 years, but his smile will now be seen in homes from coast to coast.

“I’m normally down by the bank on the main street,” he said.

“I was looking for a job and a lady who was working for the disability services brought a magazine in and showed me and asked ‘would you like to have a go at this?’

“I had a look at it and thought ‘yeah OK I could give this a go’ and I have been doing it ever since.”

The Big Issue editor Amy Hetherington said the publication has had a huge impact on its vendors over 25 years.

“The Big Issue magazine has made an important difference to the thousands of people who have sold it, people experiencing homelessness, marginalisation or disadvantage,” she said.

“As we head into the holiday season, the calendar is a much-welcome boost for vendors in what has been a tough year.”

Bevan rides his bike into town and sells copies of the Big Issue on Victoria Street.

“I will keep one of the calendars for myself and I will put it on my wall,” Bevan said.

Calenders are available for $15.