John, 71, vows to fight on

IT WOULD be easy for homeless man John Lance Roberts to give up.

At 71 years of age, he has seenlife come around in a full circle.

From a successful early life in Young, to extreme loss when his home and possessions were burned to the ground in 2008, and then rejuvenation when he travelled the Riverina raising funds for the Salvation Army and St Vincent de Paul after the Black Sunday bushfires. But sitting beside his camp fire at Wilks Park with his three dogs, Banjo, Roxy and Tigger, it is the crippling cost of living that has seen him return to homelessness.

“It’s just really hard and now with the carbon tax everything is getting very dear,” he said.

“I feel a little bit guilty because there are a lot of people in the same position as I am.”

Mr Roberts has been at the park since June 9, having been moved on from several caravan parks due to his three dogs and trailer, which doesn’t conform to the regulation of being either a caravan or campervan.

Resident Bev Ross drove past Mr Roberts at least six times over the last few weeks, yet it wasn’t until she pulled over on Tuesday morning to see if he was OK that she discovered what a spirited man he was.

Listening to his stories, Ms Ross said she was dismayed when he told her how teenagers had been loitering around his car and fire at night, intimidating Mr Roberts, while he and his dogs sat silently in the car waiting for them to pass.

“He is so trusting,” she said.

“He takes better care of the dogs then he does himself. He is 71 years of age and to think he is living like that, it breaks my heart.”

Mr Roberts is hoping to find a farmer or homeowner to lease a home to him.

“The biggest problem is finding a place with the three dogs, but I’m prepared,” he said.