Greg 'Wheelie' Jordan has spent more than 30 years in Tennant Creek, a town he used to love.
Now, his family is fundraising to get him out.
Wheelie, who is a wheelchair user, has reported yet another break-in at his home, where he alleges perpetrators ripped the wheelchair lift off his car and stole money, alcohol and memorabilia.
It comes after an incident earlier this year, where he says youths entered his home and flipped him out of his wheelchair.
"It's a shame, because this was my home and it doesn't feel like it [anymore]," he said.
"I'm now locked up in my own house every single day like a prisoner."
Much-loved member of the community
Wheelie is a passionate player of eight-ball, a discipline of pool, at the Tennant Creek Memorial Club.
He plays the game religiously every Wednesday night, and has represented Australia in the wheelchair division — even earning him a place in the Australian Eight Ball Federation's Hall of Fame.
But now, he's calling it quits. His regular outing has left him vulnerable to break-ins at his home.
"I can't even go out now to play my game without coming home to a trashed house," he said.
"They've been targeting me because they know I'm out on a Wednesday night.
"I can't even do that anymore. I've had to quit."
Call for action
The latest crime statistics report a 49.9 per cent increase in commercial break-ins in Tennant Creek in the 12 months to January, and a 16.57 per cent increase in property damage.
It comes after years of substantially increasing crime rates.
Karen Hayward is the chief executive at Papulu Apparr-kari Aboriginal Corporation in Tennant Creek.
For her, Wheelie's departure signifies a shift in Tennant Creek — where those who have invested their lives in the town feel there is no choice but to leave.
She says it's something she, at times, has considered.
"Tennant Creek was the heart of gold because we cared about everyone," she said.
"Now, people are locking themselves away, and the more people that move away and leave, the more we lose the core function of looking after your fellow man.
"The fences are going higher, there's locks on the gates. People don't really go to the aid of someone anymore."
Ms Hayward says she hopes Wheelie's leaving will act as a wake-up call for the community.
"For Wheelie to leave us now, we're doing something wrong," she said.
"He's been such an icon of Tennant Creek for many years."
New life in Queensland
The concern of Wheelie's family means he plans on being out of Tennant Creek by the end of May.
His sister-in-law, Joanne Pepers, has started a GoFundMe page to help with relocation costs, and work towards a wheelchair-accessible home.
At the time of publication, $3,850 has been raised.
Wheelie says he is devastated to have to start a new life, outside of Tennant Creek.
"It took me all these years to get to where I am now, and now I've got to start it again. It's been trashed," he said.
He wants more done to provide safety to vulnerable members of the Tennant Creek community.
"There's just not enough getting done."
