Warrnambool community Christmas barbecue provides positive pathways for vulnerable

Adrian Everitt moved to Warrnambool on December 5 and has spent the last 21 days desperately searching for work to fund a rental property.

He is currently living out of his car with his days spent applying for jobs.

Mr Everitt, 36, is a published author, he has 10 years of hospitality experience and another five years in aged care.

But he is yet to find work in Warrnambool, often not receiving a call back from businesses he applies for.

He said rising rents and a housing affordability crisis in the south-west had created a dire shortage of options.

He said the Salvation Army provided a roof over his head for two weeks but he was soon back in his hatchback, which he said is often cold and uncomfortable at night.

Mr Everitt woke on Christmas Day and had nowhere to go so jumped at the opportunity to attend a community Christmas barbecue at the Warrnambool Showgrounds.

It was there that he spoke to organiser Catherine Therese, who suggested he sell his books at the Warrnambool undercover market and to contact Gateway Plaza, which is currently seeking applicants for cleaners.

Mr Everitt said he attended the event to fill the Christmas void and left with vital potential opportunities.

"I came here to meet some people and to have something to do on Christmas day and now I have these good options to explore," he said.

Despite his current situation, Mr Everitt remains positive.

He said he was lucky to wake up and watch the sun rise from his car each day and felt supported by the Warrnambool community.

"I love it here," he said.

"There's a few people who walk past my car each morning and say 'look, it's Adrian! How are you?' It's really heartwarming."

Mr Everitt said the city's support agencies were much better than those in Melbourne but the cost of rent made it difficult for him to find a home.

He said he had also reached out to people advertising rooms for rent in a share house, to no avail.

The Warrnambool Christmas community barbecue was free and open to anyone, with food provided by Food Share, ProviCo, Browns Depot Bakery and Warrnambool Agriculture Society.

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