Ziggy the bagman
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Zbygnew Marian Willzek or Ziggy the bagman as he is known, is a homeless man who lives in Toowong, Brisbane, Australia. Ziggy objects to being labelled as "homeless" as he does not ask for food, money or clothing and actually enjoys living in the conditions that he currently is living in, even though he is in fact without a home of his own and lives in a public park. More recently he has gained much media attention, becoming a controversial issue in two consecutive local elections. He has become a sort of celebrity around the city, known to many as a kind man, and has occasionally been featured on news reports as a commentator on the various happenings in Brisbane. He is arguably a Brisbane icon and is so well-known that he even attracts tourists.
[edit] Biography
Little is known for certain of his early life except that he was born Zbygnew Marian Willzek in the late 1950s and was of a Slovakian nationality. His name was later changed to Tim Jenkins, possibly in an attempt to present himself as more Australian in a time when the nation was relatively hostile towards the rush of multiculturalism following World War II. It is unknown when exactly he became homeless, but he became known by the locals as either "Tim" or "Ziggy". "Ziggy the bagman" became his nickname throughout his ongoing media coverage.
He entered public view in the year 2000 with the then Lord Mayor Jim Soorley protesting the complaints of several Toowong businesses requesting that he be removed on the grounds that he was bad for business and his low levels of hygiene attracted rats. Soorley claimed that he was completely within the law in his position. As he gained attention, he was in increased danger, with his small home being attacked several times by various groups demanding his removal from Toowong. His publicity only grew and since then has featured in local news reports several times.
Early in 2004 he was the subject of "Operation Ziggy", an effort by ABC presenter (from 612 AM) Spencer Howson to find him a home. After being interviewed on air, it was revealed that Ziggy was not so willing to be a party to this scheme and so the plan collapsed. [1]
Later that year a portrait of him painted by local artist Bruce Chapman was entered in the Archibald Prize. His only requested payment was eight Australian Dollars worth of food, including ice cream, several biscuits and a bottle of soft drink. Ziggy also gave an interview for a similar fee of $10. [2]
During the month of July of that year, he is said to have had his first shower and his home became too messy by his own self imposed rules; the police were called in to help clean up and Ziggy promised to move by Christmas. He found a new spot in a local barbecue area, remaining in Toowong. After more attacks on him midway through 2005, new calls were made to have him taken off the streets, Lord Mayor Campbell Newman insists, just as his predecessor did, that Ziggy is breaking no laws and will not be forced to move, despite Newman's personal hopes that he could be moved to a "proper place". In December 2005 his possessions were confiscated by police due to smell and vermin. [3]
In July 2006 Ziggy moved on from his High street[4] location to a new spot at Oakman park. Radio News reported that he moved because of attacks at his old location.
