Wilczek in 2020

Zbygnew Wilczek, or Zbigniew Marian Wilczek, also known as Ziggy the Bag Man, is a man who lives in a park in the inner Brisbane suburb of Taringa. Ziggy objects to being labelled as "homeless" as he chose his situation and does not ask for food, money or clothing and enjoys living in a public park. Ziggy gained press coverage in 2004, becoming a controversial issue in two consecutive local elections.[1]

Biography

Zbygnew Wilczek was born c. 1960-61 and was of a Polish nationality.[2][3][4]

He entered public view in the year 2000 with the then Lord Mayor Jim Soorley addressing the complaints of some local businesses who said that Wilczek's activities attracted rats and discouraged customers.[5][2]

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 Zbigniew was not so willing to be a party to this scheme and so the plan collapsed.[6]

In 2004, three men threw homemade bombs at Ziggy over a period of six months resulting in Ziggy suffering burns on at least one occasion. The men were jailed in 2006 on charges of stalking with violence.[3]

Later that year a portrait of him painted by local artist Bruce Chapman was entered in the Archibald Prize.[7] His only requested payment was $8 worth of food, including ice cream, several biscuits and a bottle of soft drink. Zbigniew also gave an interview for a similar fee of $10.[8]

In December 2005, several bins of plastic bags in his possession were confiscated by police and Ziggy was ordered to relocate from his High Street encampment.[9][10]

In July 2006 Zbigniew moved on from his High Street[11] location to a new spot at Oakman Park. Radio News reported that he moved because of attacks at his old location. As of 2008, he was based near Toowong Creek.[9] As of at least 2013, he had moved to Morrow street park between Morrow Street and Moggil Road.[12]

References

  1. ↑ Heywood, Lachlan; Thompson, Erica (28 February 2004). "Umbrella man rules great mayoral debate". The Courier-Mail (1 - First with the news ed.). Brisbane. p. 4.
  2. 1 2 Overell, Clancy (7 February 2018). "Ziggy The Bagman Secretly A Millionaire, Says Brisbane". The Betoota Advocate. Retrieved 2 August 2021.
  3. 1 2 "Trio jailed for attack against homeless man 'Ziggy'". Abc.net.au. 23 February 2006. Retrieved 2 August 2021.
  4. ↑ "Ziggy the bag man's mission to access his money and help other vulnerable people". Abc.net.au. 22 May 2022. Retrieved 3 June 2022.
  5. ↑ "Ziggy the Bagman Finds Peace in Taringa". Taringa News. Retrieved 2 August 2021.
  6. ↑ "Spencer's "Operation Ziggy" Collapses on Day One". 612 ABC Brisbane. 19 January 2004. Archived from the original on 17 December 2004. Retrieved 2 August 2021.
  7. ↑ Lawrence, Jessica (14 March 2004). "Portrait of umbrella man - Painting of homeless Zbigniew in the Archibald Prize". The Sunday Mail (Brisbane) (2 - State - Main Country ed.). p. 34.
  8. ↑ "Interview with Zbigniew" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 24 August 2006.
  9. 1 2 Levingston, Rebecca (2 December 2008). "Ziggy's great escape" (item). 612 ABC Brisbane. Retrieved 2 August 2021.
  10. ↑ Higgins, Kate (7 November 2011). "Brisbane's most famous homeless person, Ziggy the bagman, back on the streets". Courier-Mail. Retrieved 2 August 2021.
  11. ↑ Atfield, Cameron (27 July 2006). "Zbigniew in stardust as he abandons High Street". The Courier-Mail (1 - First with the news ed.). Brisbane. p. 31.
  12. ↑ McDonald, Shae (10 July 2016). "Zbigniew the umbrella man at home in park". The Courier-Mail. Retrieved 14 January 2017. (subscription required)
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