My Day at the Gatwick

(For our Broadcast Media Radio Doco we decided on using the Private Gatwick Hotel as our subject)

An overwhelming sense of fear swept over me as I stood outside the so called House of Horrors.
The building was weathered, flaking with grey paint, windows were covered with old sheets and an ancient Gatwick Private Hotel sign was surprisingly still attached to the entrance.
The double wooden doors were dark and there was no way of seeing what was inside.
We decided on an escape word, took a deep breath and entered the notorious hotel.
We were greeted by Rose, one of the owners and instantly felt relieved.
The tenants we met inside were interesting but completely harmless.
Pauly- an overweight drunk who lives in a Brothel on King Street but likes to spend his days at the Gatwick
Wendy- resident of the Hotel for 10 years, her home of choice, considers herself the gardener and fills her room with pot plants.
Simon- proud/loud gay and gentle giant
Gerry- couldn’t remember braking the office window the night before and offered Rose his roast chicken as an apology
Jo- lived there for a year, hates the place and enjoys pooing in buckets and chucking it out his window
Rose the owner, kindest woman I’ve met says half her job is just talking. Tenants constantly knocking on the door just for a chat, she couldn’t even hang up on an overtalkative gentleman on the phone.
Surrounding business owners weren’t as negative about the hotel as I expected. They said it’s not ideal but they’ve learnt to deal with it.
The owners of the Gatwick are doing a justice for the streets of St Kilda giving over one hundred people a place to call home who would otherwise be sleeping outside.
They provide free health services once a week and permanent housing for anyone who needs it.

Article on the Hotel
http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2002/09/28/1032734371529.html