'If I died tomorrow I would be happy': Mandurah, Rockingham homeless advocate Owen Farmer calls it a day

Even as we sat on the Mandurah Foreshore talking about his time as the Mandurah and Rockingham homeless advocate two people did just that.

As he retires from his role, Mr Farmer said "being a part of the community no matter where he goes" was a big enough reward for him.

For the best part of two decades he has advocated for the homeless whether that be through helping them find a home and food, honouring homeless veterans through a statue, volunteering for the Labor party, creating a soup kitchen or running his own non-profits.

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"I don't have much money but if I died tomorrow I would be happy because I've done something for so many homeless people," he said.

"I just did what I felt was right and gave love back to the people that didn't get love - I'm not perfect but I did the best I could."

He said he was able to help hundreds of homeless by sharing his story with them as not so long ago, he was suffering from alcohol, drug addiction, incarceration and homelessness himself.

It was not easy for Owen Farmer growing up. He was only 12 and illiterate when he was taken out of school and put into the workforce.

With the older workers bullying and hurting him daily, Mr Farmer soon learnt how alcohol and drugs could make him feel "six feet tall and bullet proof".

"At that age I had no brains," he said.

"I became a raging bull when I drank and I started challenging the men that hurt me in the workforce."

As the years went on his life continued to be led by his addictions eventually causing him to lose his license until the age of 35 and being incarcerated.

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After his stint in prison, Mr Farmer had nowhere to go. He ended up sleeping on the streets for almost a year before going back to his parent's home.

"I was too ashamed to go home - I knew my father didn't want me there because I was the only one out of seven kids that was incarcerated," he said.

"But I eventually went home and dad had a cheque of $25 left out on the table for me."

Despite going back home, Mr Farmer's life didn't change for the better until he was 39 when he decided to give up drugs and alcohol.

He said since getting clean and helping other homeless his biggest achievement was being able to find people a home.

"One thing that stands out to me is when I took my Aboriginal brothers to Exmouth to reunite them with their families," he said.

"We got there at 2am and everyone was waiting for us outside.

"The family gave me the only cup in their house because they were so thankful. The next day they also gave me an envelope with $300 in there and a note saying it was for petrol to get home.

"It was a really touching moment."

Mr Farmer said he was sad to leave his role but looking forward to enjoying the last quarter of his life.

"I still struggle to read and write so I'm very proud of how far I've come," he said.

"I'm 67 in October - I've spent many years doing what I think is right now I've got a quarter of the years left of my life so I want to enjoy it.

"I've had a golden opportunity to give back so it's bittersweet leaving but I can retire gracefully knowing what I've achieved."