by Emma Ballingall
Dehumanising language used to describe two people living rough in Drouin's Anzac Park greatly affected Baw Baw Shire Cr Ben Lucas.
Cr Lucas, who has twice found himself on the brink of homelessness, used the derogatory and disgusting terminology being circulated in the community to inspire his call for a council report into local homelessness.
And now, he hopes the Gazette Community Sleepout will take the next step to create conversations, understanding and empathy to the growing issue.

"Until you experience something, you don't really know," he said.
Shari