Bill Dowson has a long history with the Salvation Army. Photo: Jen White.
As a child, before he landed in the Illawarra as a 10 pound pom, Bill Dowson remembers the Salvation Army band performing Christmas carols at the end of his street in north-east England.
As a young teen, when his family struggled to come to terms with their new life in Wollongong far from any family, the Salvos came to their aid.
As a man in his mid 20s and a member of the service group Apex, Bill became involved in the Lord Mayor’s Giving Tree at Christmas, supporting the Salvation Army in distributing gifts to families doing it tough.
A few years later Bill found himself walking the streets, knocking on doors and collecting donations for the Army’s annual Red Shield Appeal, which has now been running for more than 60 years.
Over the next 30 or so years, Bill’s connection with the appeal grew, as did the demand for the Salvos’ social services, until eventually he became chair of the Illawarra’s Red Shield Appeal Committee. During his long tenure, he is credited with helping to raise more than $3 million.
In 2024 he was presented with the Eva Burrows Award, one of the highest honours in the Salvation Army.
“You have been called ‘Mr Service’ for what is an obvious compliment for your capacity to enthuse, motivate, organise, galvanise and excite others into committing to support the mission of The Salvation Army across the Illawarra region,” the citation stated.
In his thank you speech, Bill said he was surprised to receive such an honour for “doing something that you thoroughly enjoy doing”.
“You certainly don’t keep volunteering to do something for those 40 years if you don’t absolutely love it.
“I simply felt a need to repay the debt. I was a recipient of what I’ve termed over the years, the Illawarra embrace, whereby this region and its people care and you feel supported.”
While no longer chair of the appeal committee, Bill still sits on the committee and his links to the Salvos remain strong.
Ahead of the Illawarra launch of the Red Shield Appeal on 22 May, Bill’s message to the community is that this year, more than most, the Salvos really do need their help.
“Years ago it used to be ‘us and them’,” he says.
“You live in a nice place, I’ve got a nice place – look at those poor people, we should give them a few bob.
“Now there’s no ‘us and them’ – they’re your colleagues at work, they might even be your family. They’re just not telling you they’re struggling, but they’re going to the Salvos or they’re ringing the Salvos for help.
“I just have the greatest admiration for the Salvos’ workers – there is no judgement, none at all.”
They say if you want something done, give it to a busy person. Bill is one of those busy people.
He’s retired now – for the third time – but loves a challenge.
Which probably explains his variety of jobs, often more than one at a time, and his volunteer service with multiple community groups. It also explains why, in 2017, he received an Order of Australia medal for his services to sport and the Illawarra community.
Bill after he received the Eva Burrows Award, with two long-time friends, the Salvation Army’s Karen Walker and David Morgan Williams. Photo: Greg Donovan.
Bill got his first job at 15 after he left school and a “tumultuous” home life.
“I jumped on a train at Dapto and thought I’ll find a street in Wollongong with lots of businesses to try and get a job,” he said.
“I got off the train at Auburn Street and thought this looks pretty good, it ends at Coniston Railway Station so I can finish my day and get back on the train there.
“I knocked on every door in Auburn Street, just looking for anything, a kid of 15.”
The last business he tried on the street was N S Donnelley Pty Limited earthmoving equipment and hire.
He got a knockback there too, but by the time he jumped on the train at Coniston and got home, there was a note in the letterbox that one of the Donnelley drivers had dropped off – “Start Monday as a yard boy”.
It was there that Bill discovered that “Illawarra embrace”.
“I started Monday cleaning heavy machinery. I went to work with this bunch of the burliest, toughest blokes you’ve ever met, but they embraced me, they looked after me.
“I was earning $32.30 a week and paying $17 of that in rent. I had no money come Wednesday because I got paid on Thursday, but somebody always bought me a sandwich – I never knew where it came from.”
The business owner Tony Donnelley offered him an apprenticeship as a plant mechanic – the beginning of his relationship with the Donnelleys in various guises which lasted more than 45 years.
“I stayed with Donnelley family businesses until 1989 and then I actually bought into a business with Tony. And then some 45 years after I first walked in there looking for a job, Tony bought me out of the business that we owned together. That’s the Illawarra embrace.”
As well as his volunteer work with the Salvation Army, Bill has returned that embrace in spades.
He is chair of The Cram Foundation (and previously deputy chair for seven years), served as treasurer and director of the Illawarra Academy of Sport, as director of the Illawarra Hawks and is a life member of Illawarra Basketball Association.
And that’s not to forget the 13 children he and wife Lee fostered while both working full-time, after their two children left home.
“For me, the Illawarra embrace continues to this day and I still remain very, very grateful,” he told guests at the Red Shield Appeal launch after receiving the Eva Burrows Award.
“I’m also grateful for the Salvation Army in the Illawarra. I’m grateful that the community that embraced me houses such amazing people who make massive sacrifices to help others.
“I am grateful for the opportunities that the Salvation Army presented me, that allowed me to share time with some of the cleverest and most committed people that I have ever met.
“It is all about the people and the efforts they make to improve the lives of others. Each one of those people who contribute to running appeals forms just a little bit of that Illawarra embrace.”
The Red Shield Appeal is the Salvation Army’s major fundraiser to help provide shelter, safety and support to those in need. As well as supporting the annual door knock appeal on 30 and 31 May, donations can be made online. If you’d like to attend the Illawarra Red Shield Appeal launch at City Beach Function Centre on Friday 22 May, email [email protected] for details.
