The vendors who sell The Big Issue mean the world to us – and so, to celebrate Vendor Week 2026, we’re going international!
Street paper vendors from all over the planet sent us their Postcards from My Pitch, with friendly greetings and photos of where they sell their publications: next to Big Ben, on a frosty bridge in Bern, or on the bustling streets of Taipei.
It’s a reminder that while our vendors stand proudly in communities across Australia, they are also part of a worldwide movement creating opportunity, dignity and connection.
More highlights in this edition:
Three vendors – Simon from Adelaide, Sharyn from Brisbane, and Louis from Melbourne – write poignant Letters to Our Younger Selves.
Mariann B has read all the classics of the self-help genre, so you don’t have to! Read her wise and witty book report
Director Sophie Hyde keeps it in the family with new Aussie drama Jimpa, sharing what it was like working with her own child.
Stephanie Feher rings in the Lunar New Year with Dry Stir-Fried Egg Noodles and Chives – the comforting family dinner that Tastes Like Home to her.
Proceeds from The Big Issue online store go directly back into funding our programs including The Big Issue magazine, the Women’s Workforce and The Big Issue Classroom.
The Big Issue 30th Anniversary Edition 763 is choc full of
very interesting and informative articles.
I particularly liked vendor Marion's pictorial of Melbourne's
Queen Victoria Market and the CBD.
The next time you see a vendor do them
and yourself a favour. Buy a Big Issue magazine.
I particularly wanted to read the Rose Byrne piece who was featured on the front cover of The Big Issue, Edition 758.
But, more importantly I enjoyed many of the other features in this magazine, in particular, the archive piece on Heath Ledger, the inspiring piece from Deborah Lawrie with her letter to her younger self and Shaun Micallef personal discussion on AI. Thank you for serving up such an interesting magazine.
I must admit I purchased this edition as my son had an article printed in it. When I was looking for this edition I spoke to one of the lovely sellers in the city and he was so helpful looking to see if the article was in that edition.
Since then I have found out a lot more about the Big Issue and how they help disadvantaged Australians to become more independent and I think they are awesome.
Overall the magazine is very professionally set out and of course has some great articles. Love reading about the sellers
I love The Big Issue calendars and have been buying the every year I can since they started. I missed out locally this time so was very happy to be able to buy it online, thereby avoiding a whole year of FOMO
CALENDAR: I love the alternating pages, where month A is a cartoon by Andrew Weldon, and month B is a profile of a Big Issue seller.
FICTION EDITION: 12 short stories, including one by Trent Dalton (Boy Swallows Universe)
I've been buying the Big Issue for many years (though not 30). I live in Wollongong, I don't remember seeing a vendor here, but I have often bought a copy when I have to go to Sydney for work. I always enjoy reading it on the train on my way home, as well as feeling good that I have done something to help somebody to help themselves. Love your work, all the best for the next 30 years!
TBH…
As a ‘there at the start’ contributor, think it would’ve been good to show some of the ‘early’ editions and people who helped make TBI what it has become…
Behind the ‘sellers’ is a lot of pre-production content…