1964 I was left with fve children, homeless and not a penny to my name. I was a city girl, born and bred.

Housing Commission ofered me two options. One, a three bedroom flat in a High Rise building in Prahran, Vic. But I would have to wait about 12 month to get one allocated. That would have made me homeless and nowhere to go. Or I could have a three bedroom house with a bakyard in Lang Lang, Vic. that was vacant and available.

I had no idea where Lang Lang was, but the dread of raising five children without a father in one of those High Rise buildings made me accept the house in Lang Lang.

A house with a backyard for the children to play in and me being able to keep an eye on my brood was worth it for me to leave the City and move to a small country town.

Whatever happened since then, I never regreted. I have turned into a country girl over the years. Nothing has a closer community and more caring people than a small country town.

If more homeless people would venture out of the city circle and are willing to work on a farm or Market Garden, they would find accomdation and most likely make friends with the locals.

There are lots of reasons people are homeless, but there are lots of resolutions to better the situation.

You want to stay in the city and sleep under the bridge, that is your choice. Don't blame me.

Erica