Sarah-Jane Needs a NEW FOREVER HOME!

Hello, I am Sarah-Jane,

The housing crisis is real, not only in the Northern Rivers on Bundjalung Country but across Australia and the world.

In 2020, the world pandemic, at 50 years of age, I was evicted for living in my art studio, a 10 year tenancy, when I lost all my career options, I had no where to go. Faced with bullying and intimidation, discrimination and lies, the lights turned off on my birthday. I found a storage facility in 24 hours, moved my entire life & career and was suddenly homeless, living in my vehicle and remained so for 3.5 years.

I was asked to appear in ‘Under Cover’ the documentary about homeless women over the age of 50 in Australia, now on Netflix. This was profound turning point and acceptance of my situation. A new way to launch NO FIXED ADDRESS as a street performance on International Womens Day in March and again on International Homeless and Mental Health Day in October from 2021-2023 with potential for International Mens Day in November each year..

On February 28, 2022, I was planning a NO FIXED ADDRESS event, when the Northern Rivers was hit by a horrific and calculated weather event stretching over 1000km of the east coast. My world now in storage was impacted and many valuable items including my artworks were destroyed, so I went to the recovery centre and asked people ‘how can I help you?' for the next 3 months.

I finally moved to a residential tenancy in January 2024 and in April the land owner announced the property was to be sold at the end of my lease. This property comprising of 2 residences is still empty & for sale.

I moved to a castle in sky, in the bush on December 28, 2024, to see in the new year, with a new 3 year lease and pinching myself with delight. The north facing sun, light, fresh air, cloudy mountain mornings and open sky stars by night. This was a new opportunity to grow vege, herbs, fruit, flowers, weed and seed; tea house products, and get plenty of exercise on the land. The right time to launch 'NO FIXED ADDRESS’, a new NFP, to create pathways of awareness and funding to support our homelessness in the Northern Rivers, Bundjalung, and reengage my Art practise for exhibitions and for local galleries!

Just 26 days of total bliss! Unpacked, ready to hang my art, make a bed for a best friend to visit, that weekend. Check out my life ideas notes from last year; setting up my art studio and planting food to take advantage of the coming wet season, when on January 23, 2025 the torrential rains started.

I love the rain and stayed in bed a little longer. I drank coffee on the deck. Watched as the birds raced away ahead of the South Westerly winds which were ferocious. By 9am cyclonic winds arrived and by 9.30am three 60m trees, hit three rooms in seconds. Massive damage to roof, ceilings, walls, floors and to all my house contents. Huge branches scattered across the entire house roof, the land and decks. One less step, it was close and I did not die.

The SES worked for 6 hours to move 3 trees.

The SES are volunteers.

This needs to change and they need to be employed Emergency Service like the NSW Fire Brigades.

While it took over 3 months to find this rental, it has now been over 2 months looking and applying for locations across the Northern Rivers, Bundjalung, up to 8-10 hrs everyday and waiting for just 1 approval.

My amazing removalist is on standby, my friends supporting me, as I look to find the energy and funds to move me again.

I am immersed in the story everyday, my waking is grief and anxiety.

I gag and dry reach with my waking breath.

I shout and scream, do comedy, poetry and songs about this predicament and release everyday.

Then Cyclone Alfred started here on the 4 March for 7 torrential days.

The house, the land and I continue to suffer alone.

The weather & water damage, structurally and cosmetically, have caused me to burn the fire wood early, all my timber furniture and paper artworks just to keep the air dry daily in the house.

The mold is a science experiment and I marvel at its daily artistic narrative.

The $10,000 aim will help facilitate additional expenses and losses:

$ 2000 Removalist on standby

$ 2000 Bond

$ 2000 First months rent, locations awaiting approval

$ 500 Household items damage

$ 200 Washing storm damage: covers, sheets, towels, clothing

$ 100 Food perished from fridge

$ 300 Garden plants and seedling damaged

$ 400 Cleaner: house damage kitchen, living and bathroom

$ 2000 Furniture: queen futon, single futon and four kitchen stools

$ 500 Excess for minor car damage/dent to LHS panels

After 3 months of repacking my whole world again and dealing with the daily devastation I'm spent and so are my finances.

I now sleep in my vehicle by night once again, a welcome refuge and a safe, healthy place for my body and breath.

Nature has shouted loudly and shown me the way and I am listening.

Looking to the future, and dreaming of new home.

No one deserves to be homeless!

Thank you

xoxox

SJ