The Big Issue

The Big Issue Australia is a not-for-profit organisation that publishes Australia’s best known street paper, The Big Issue.

Sold on the streets by vendors, The Big Issue provides people who are homeless, unemployed, disadvantaged or marginalised an opportunity to make positive changes in their lives.

The magazine has a cover price of $5.00 and vendors keep half from each copy sold.

Woden Community Service manages the ACT operations of the Big Issue. We provide support, training and materials to vendors selling the magazine. This support extends to assistance with problems such as housing, health, training and employment.

Latest News

Staff from The Big Issue will be at the Early Morning Centre, at City Uniting Church on Northbourne Ave, Civic, every Tuesday morning, from 10 – 11am. Anyone wanting more information on being a vendor is welcome to drop by for a chat.

Street Soccer

Street Soccer is an initiative of The Big Issue, Australia. The group meets from 2-4pm every Wednesday, at the Reid Sports Oval, Elimatta St, Reid (oppositethe Australian War Memorial).

The training sessions consist of a range of fun activities and all are welcome, particularly those who are homeless or at risk of being homeless.

For more information, contact the coach on 0466386 249, or at canberrasoccer@bigissue.org.au

How to become a vendor

Talk to Julie or Stuart at Woden Community Service – they can tell you more about what is involved and how to sign up. Contact details are below.

You can also find them at the Early Morning Centre on Northbourne Ave, Civic every Tuesday, from 10-11am.

How to support The Big Issue

• Buy a copy of the magazine from one of the vendors. Vendors are currently selling from pitches in Civic, Woden, Belconnen, Kippax, Curtin, Mawson, Tuggeranong and Dickson.
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• Let us know if you have an idea for where vendors could sell The Big Issue, whether it is a shopping centre, office or event. We are always looking for places where we can reach people who might not otherwise have an opportunity to buy or find out about The Big Issue.
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• Invite The Big Issue manager to come and talk to your group or organization – whether it be as potential purchasers, sponsors or vendors.
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• Volunteer to help with the program – we are looking for people to assist with the fortnightly meals for vendors (coinciding with the release of each new issue), as well as other activities. Volunteers are also needed for the Street Soccer program – to provide support in coaching, assisting in the weekly training, and setting up events or challenges.

The Big Issue also relies on the support of the organisations who sell The Big Issue to vendors, including The Body Shop (Civic, Woden and Belconnen), Beyond Q bookshop in Curtin, Tuggeranong Arts Centre, and Communities@Work in Weston Creek.

Contact Details

Phone: (02) 6234 6813 (office) or 0448 476 184 (mobile)

Email: thebigissue@wcs.org.au

Street address: Woden Community Service, 26 Corinna St, Woden

Postal address: PO Box 35, Woden, ACT, 2606

Office hours are Mon-Fri 9:00am - 4:00pm.

National Website: www.bigissue.org.au