Debbie Organ with John and Carrie. Photos: Supplied.
Twelve years ago, Debbie Organ randomly responded to a missing dog ad in Sydney’s CBD — and it led to a life-changing friendship with a homeless man named John and his beloved dog Carrie.
Now CEO of Oak Flats Bowling and Recreation Club and the Illawarra Yacht Club, Debbie is honouring their story with the fourth annual Club Sleepout and Movie Night on Saturday (28 June) at the bowling club, aimed to raise awareness and funds for those doing it tough.
Debbie said like many, she was previously guilty of being in a hurry and walking past those homeless on the streets.
She said 12 years ago that all changed.
“It was 26 June, 2013, and being a big animal lover, a post flashed up on my computer from a pet rescue organisation appealing for help to find the dog of a homeless man in the Sydney CBD called John,” she said.
“I opened the post and immediately recognised him, as I had seen John and his dog Carrie in Pitt Street Mall many times.”
She said some young boys had beaten up John, kicking John and Carrie, and causing Carrie to run away in fear.
“On learning about John’s story, what struck me was that he couldn’t find a bed in a shelter or any other form of accommodation, because none allowed dogs,” she said.
Debbie offered a reward for finding the dog, with Carrie returned the next day.
“I introduced myself to John the following day and spent the day sitting on the street with him and Carrie,” she said.
“When I left, John gave me his milk crate and asked me to come back next week.”
Debbie proceeded to ring organisations for the homeless to ask why dogs couldn’t be accommodated, with repeated responses that it would be easier to put the dog down.
In the meantime, the coats she gave John were repeatedly stolen.
“I sat with John and Carrie at the end of Pitt Street Mall every Friday for some years, witnessing firsthand what they went through every day,” she said.
“I was amazed, saddened and at times angry at the abuse people gave John, and frequently me for talking to him.
“John spoke to me at length one afternoon of his career building Olympic swimming pools and how back in his working days he never would have thought he would end up on the streets alone.”
In 2017, John ended up in hospital in need of a lifesaving operation, but with no one to sign the surgical consent form.
To help save his life, Debbie became his legal guardian and took in Carrie, caring for her until her passing in 2022.
“He’s now off the streets in a nursing home near me, with yours truly as his guardian,” she said.
“Carrie and I visited a few times a week.
“He has his own room, three meals a day and is being well cared for – and I’m so proud that I fulfilled a promise I made to him that he would never die alone on the street.
“He recently turned 79, and we had a party to not only celebrate his birthday, but that it was eight years off the streets with much improved health.”
Debbie said she had done the Vinnies CEO Sleepout for many years, but on 28 June would join Oak Flats Bowling Club and Illawarra Yacht Club board, management and staff to sleep rough on the bowling club greens for the fourth annual Sleepout and Movie Night.
She also invited the community to join them, for the movie night and/or sleepout.
Vinnies and the Wollongong Vinnies Food Truck will be in attendance, which all proceeds will go towards.
“Our goal is simple, ‘To sleep out so others don’t have to,’” she said.
“Our first club sleepout, Carrie slept out with us.
“To celebrate our 10-year anniversary of John, Carrie and I meeting, John himself slept out with us in 2023.
“I know he wants to attend this year, but let’s see what the doctors say.
“Either way, this one is in memory of Carrie and in honour of John.”
The night includes Shrek from 6:30 pm, Top Gun: Maverick from 8:30 pm, a raffle, snacks, Vinnies food truck tours, and sleepout from 10:20 pm. Participants are encouraged to bring blankets and chairs, with bean bags available for hire.
Purchase tickets for the Club Sleepout and Movie Night on 28 June at Oak Flats Bowling and Recreation Club top green, with doors open from 5 pm and sleepout from 10:20 pm. Or donate on the Go Fund Me page.
