This was published 6 years ago
The day a drifter's life changed
20 ImagesChris Hopkins is a finalist in the 2017 UN Day Media Awards for his story about Melbourne's homeless for The Sunday Age. His images were spotted on social media by a person who was sure one of the bearded men was her grandfather. Chris returned to the streets of Melbourne in search of Asha. This is the story of a man reunited with his family after 13 years.
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"I feel the hum of the city. I can separate the sounds from its physical being." Credit:Chris Hopkins
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"I love Melbourne but don't want to be consumed by it." Credit:Chris Hopkins
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When a child is abused he will seek solace anywhere, anyhow. I felt worthless, because that's what I was taught to think about myself. It made me vulnerable to predators.Credit:Chris Hopkins
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"Why should the world come to a halt for me?" On Asha's walks he never pushes the buttons at intersections, dodging cars as they drive past. Credit:Chris Hopkins
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"I like the city when it's a bit quieter." Credit:Chris Hopkins
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"I've always loved the city": Asha on his nightly "wanderings". Credit:Chris Hopkins
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"It was like a miracle." An emotional Asha after hearing the voice of a family member.Credit:Chris Hopkins
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The joy for Asha Lang as he reconnects with his family for the first time in 13 years.Credit:Chris Hopkins
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"This is my favourite spot in Melbourne. Asha comes to the Alexandra Gardens to sit and think 'in the evenings, when its quiet.' Credit:Chris Hopkins
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I'm tired, I have had enough. My body doesn't handle it no more. Credit:Chris Hopkins
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The Yarra is one of my favourite spots. Asha spends most evenings wandering the streets. The relative silence along the Yarra river gives him time away from the constant social interaction of street-life. Credit:Chris Hopkins
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I've had enough, enough of lugging my stuff every day.. Asha sleeps at Melbourne's busiest intersection after drifting for two weeks out of the city and having his belongings stolen. Credit:Chris Hopkins
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Asha jots down the phone number of his grandson. He later lost the number when his belongings were stolen. Credit:Chris Hopkins
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"I can deal with the Crack, Ice and Weed but the booze; thats where the real evil lies." Asha sits eating a meal given to him by a member of the public while a man smokes ice through a crack-pipe behind him. Credit:Chris Hopkins
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A voice for his peers, Asha organised a snap protest during the Australian Open protesting the treatment of Melbourne's homeless. Credit:Chris Hopkins
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A friend of my father's stood above me and asked what I wanted to do when I grew up. I looked up at him, saw the light of his cigarette and said, a drifter.. I don't know why..Credit:Chris Hopkins
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"It's all about greed." A social outcast since childhood, Asha maintains a deep mistrust of institutions and ultimately those who are wealthy. Credit:Chris Hopkins
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I use the paranoia as a defense mechanism. You know, it helps if ever I feel like someone is going to touch my stuff, the paranoia kicks in. Credit:Chris Hopkins
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I do believe there is a god. I find some of the bible's passages I can relate to. Credit:Chris Hopkins
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"I could live here forever. It's my time to have something": Asha sits in his new home.Credit:Chris Hopkins