Finding creative solutions to combat homelessness

This weeks Pro Bono Australia Change Maker is Meg Mundell, Meg is currently working with the Melbourne Zero campaign to end rough sleeping, and writing her next book, which explores popular beliefs about homelessness. Meg is also one of the writers of Plausible Deniability,  a dark short-form comedy about the politics of social change and what happens when three kids from the western suburbs face off against a who’s who of Australian ‘thought leaders’ as part of a homelessness documentary they’re making at school. Read on for our fascinating interview with Meg!

Describe your career trajectory and how you got to your current position

It’s been a zigzag, not a straight line! As a kid I always wanted to write. But that’s a terrible way to earn a living, so I’ve worked in different roles that align with my interests and passions. My first degree was in psychology/philosophy, which provided a great crash course in human behaviour, critical thinking, and ethical questions.

I left New Zealand for Melbourne in my 20s, to study professional writing and editing. After volunteering at The Big Issue Australia, I pitched the editor some stories, and eventually ended up snagging a dream job as staff writer and deputy editor. Over five years I learned a lot from talking with the magazine’s vendors, who shared their life stories, insights, and experiences of homelessness. Following that, I juggled freelance journalism, policy roles, university teaching, and postgrad study. A PhD led to academic research positions, plus an edited book called We Are Here, a collection of true stories by writers who’ve experienced homelessness. Along the way I’ve also published a couple of novels (The Trespassers and Black Glass).

For the past five years I’ve worked for myself, taking on various projects through my consultancy, Hatch Insight. Recently I contributed to the fantastic web series Plausible Deniability, a dark comedy about homelessness (created by Iain Crittenden / Random Pictures). Right now I’m curating Big Thinkers, which is part of the Melbourne Zero campaign to end street homelessness. And I’ve just joined the Medical Board of Australia (Victoria), as a community representative.

What does this role mean to you?

Working for myself offers me variety, flexibility, and brain stimulation – you’re always meeting new people, learning new things, being exposed to different ideas. And I like having a choice about what I take on.

Big Thinkers, a current gig, is a series of stories and conversations exploring a topic close to my heart: how do we end homelessness? Shifting the dial on homelessness is a huge task, but a well-crafted story can be a powerful tool. As series editor/curator, I get to chat with talented people in Australia and overseas who are committed to shining a light on solutions and pushing for positive change. That includes people who’ve survived homelessness themselves. Bringing their insights to a broader audience is a real privilege. I also commission essays from a talented bunch of guest writers.

Take us through a typical day of work for you.

Being self-employed, there’s no typical day. But caffeine comes first – takeaway, so I get some daylight. Then I attack my to-do list. I might be scouting for a guest author, briefing them; or prepping for an interview, doing background reading and drafting questions. For interview write-ups, I’ll sift my notes and pick out the gems, aiming to craft a conversation that sparkles and flows. When I’m editing someone else’s work, my job is to polish and streamline, so the author’s voice and ideas shine through clearly.

When the calendar says “Book day”, I tune out all distractions and dive in. Daily word targets are helpful, but it’s easy to get side-tracked by research, go down fascinating rabbit-holes. Right now, I’m working on a book about public attitudes to homelessness. Why are there still so many myths and misconceptions? What fuels the stereotypes and stigma? What’s at the root of these beliefs? How do they play out, and who gets hurt? What might it take to change all this?

What is the biggest challenge you’ve encountered in your career, and how did you overcome it?

Forging a viable career in the wake of sudden-onset chronic illness and ongoing disability. Learning to pace myself, remembering to rest, when my default setting has always been full steam ahead. Still not sure I’ve “overcome” that challenge. It’s an ongoing effort – aiming for acceptance, noting small achievements, and choosing work that’s meaningful to me.

If you could go back in time, what piece of advice would you give yourself as you first embarked on your career? 

Don’t waste time and energy being a midwife for other people’s dreams. Your own plans and dreams are just as important.

How do you stay motivated to work in this field?

With homelessness, we have so far to go. And honestly, that makes me mad! We’re seeing positive change in so many areas – disability rights, challenging racism, gender diversity and equality, shifting the conversation on family violence, on mental health. It’s all gradual, and they’re small wins, but it’s happening.

But we’re lagging way behind on homelessness. It’s still shrouded in myths and stigma. Discrimination is rampant. That robs people of the chance to realise their full potential, to be treated with dignity and respect. That all needs to change. Homelessness is a solvable problem. So why aren’t we fixing it?

How do you unwind after work?

Gardening, walking, nature. A good book, true-crime podcasts, well-made TV. Goofing around with my partner and our ten-year-old son.

What was the last thing you…

• Watched: “Scott & Bailey” – a cracker UK crime series, starring two female police detectives.
• Read: “Why Delusions Matter”, by Lisa Bortolotti, a philosopher of cognitive science – fascinating book from an amazing mind.
• Listened to: “The Living and the Dead”, by US singer-songwriter Jolie Holland. Last night I was singing along at full volume. My son politely asked me to stop.

Image by Joanne Manariti Photography