Living in the inner city of Sydney, I must say, I have often found it quite eclectic and eccentric at times. Growing up in Adelaide, I never did experience walking down a street and seeing, en masse, homeless beggars asking for money. Even the four years I lived in Melbourne didn’t quite prepare me for living in Sydney’s inner city.

Remembering back to my high school economic class, I recall a discussion one day about poverty and how governments define poverty. I recall that invisible line drawn through the economy which defines whether or not someone in poor: the poverty line.

The discussion, as I recall it, centred on what the essentials are in order to live above this poverty line. From what I remember, they included things such as a place to stay, clothes, a stove, a refrigerator, table and chairs, a bed and of course a television.

Fast forward to today and it is possible to add other items to that list. Take for instance, the mobile phone. Sure, back when I was growing up, mobiles were the size of housing bricks, and indeed were similar weight, but they come with a sense of affluence. However these days, everyone has one.

I live in Surry Hills, which is an inner-city suburb of Sydney. Surry Hills now boasts million dollar terrace houses and lots of young couples – sans children. The suburb also has share dwellings filled with young professionals or uni students. Sure it is an expensive and well-to-do area now, however, I am assured that was not always the case.

Surry Hills still has its fair share of homeless people. However, in this decade, they come equipped with mobile phones and designer petite dogs.

Yes, as strange as it seems, it was a shock for me the first time I saw this sight. My double-take was so intense I gave myself whip-lash. There I was, walking along when a dishevelled man strolled past, his face blackened from weeks without a wash and his tattered and torn clothes, stained from daily wear, in dire need of laundering, chatting on a mobile phone and walking a Chihuahua. Yes - a Chihuahua - and the little dog was wearing a bright-pink jumper.

Now, I put this down to a one-off occurrence and a mere quirk of living in the inner city. However, that gentleman was not unique. There are a lot of small dogs, donning various bling, being walked around the inner-city by those who are not as well off as others.

Working for a telecommunications company, I do get my fair share of calls on my mobile. However, this seems to be meagre compared to those I pass on the street. In addition to strolling around with their canine companions, they are also seemingly always on their mobile phones.

The first time I noticed this, I must say I was a little intrigued and perhaps a little confused. However, I guess it goes back to that conversation we had in school about the poverty line. These days, what is now regarded as a necessity, used to only be reserved for the social elite.

Sure poverty often centres itself on the material possessions people don’t have. However, even though I think it somewhat eccentric and eclectic for the homeless in Surry Hills to have designer pets and mobile phones, when you think about it, the companionship these provide at least means they are not poor in spirit.