Former Port Kembla resident and Governor General David Hurley at the Illawarra launch of the Salvation Army’s Red Shield Appeal. Photo: Jen White.
Former Governor General David Hurley – “the local kid who did good” – had an odd request of attendees at the Illawarra launch of the Salvation Army’s Red Shield Appeal.
He urged them to “become a truckie” – metaphorically at least – to help the thousands of Australians who rely on the Salvos to survive.
The former Port Kembla boy related a story of how his Army unit would be put through tough, four-week military exercises in the rugged mountains around Batemans Bay.
The main thing that kept them going through the jungle warfare was knowing that the “Sallyman truck” would be waiting at the top of the last mountain with treats such as hot cocoa or cool drinks, chewing gum and biscuits. For many military members, the green Sallyman truck has become synonymous with a caring word and a welcome cuppa at the end of a tough battle, march or exercise.
Mr Hurley said today’s Sallyman truck was full of all the interventions and assistance that the Salvation Army provided to the homeless, to those struggling with addiction, to people whose lives have been turned upside down due in many cases to circumstances beyond their control.
“The job today is simple,” he told the crowd of more than 120 at the Illawarra launch.
“We’re launching an appeal that will help the Salvos to acquire, develop and employ as many of those metaphorical trucks as possible in people’s lives and to position those trucks in the best place to bring relief, security and renewal into the lives of those in need in our society.
“So, become a truckie. Today’s your day to fill that secret desire and become a truckie. Put your hand in your pocket and help – even if it’s just a tyre, it will make a difference in someone’s life.
“Spread the word, continue your support and support the selfless and inspirational work of the Salvation Army; help it to be the hope … in so many desperate and despairing lives.”
Last year, the Salvation Army supported 228,500 Aussies in need – one person every 17 seconds. It provided more than one million nights of safe accommodation and served more than 1.4 million meals to homeless people in residential services.
NSW/ACT Salvation Army divisional commander Robyn Black acknowledged that times were tough and that many more people were feeling the pressures of daily life and might not feel they could afford to donate to the appeal as they usually did.
“But generosity isn’t just about giving when there’s plenty, it’s about choosing to care even when things are uncertain, and recognising that even small contributions can make a huge difference to people’s lives,” she said.
“Your support is so important to each individual, because you become part of someone’s turning point. You create stability when there was uncertainty and you bring hope to people when they need it most.”
That hope was illustrated by Cameron, who gave a graphic account of a life damaged almost from birth, the sexual assaults and beatings that she suffered throughout her teenage years and into marriage with a man she thought she loved. It was an emotional but ultimately uplifting story of how, with the help of the Salvation Army, she’s been able to turn her life around.
“I am a mother of four, two girls and two boys,” she said.
“It has been just over four years since I have been able to hug them, kiss them, or tell them that I love them.
“It has also been just over four years that I escaped 26 years of domestic abuse. The perpetrator was their father.
“It has also been just over four years since I first enlisted the services of the Salvation Army.”
Cameron was adopted at three months old but “having a house to live in and having a home are two very different things”.
“I was subjected to a childhood of horrific trauma, physically, mentally, emotionally and sexually.”
She married at 23 and had four babies by the time she was 29. When Cameron’s youngest child was five, her “brain broke”; she was diagnosed with bipolar and ADHD, put on 29 medications and ultimately returned to using drugs.
Her violent ex-husband ultimately threw her out of her home. Finding herself homeless at 44, Cameron turned to the Salvation Army for help. There, she said, she found her “guardian angels”.
“The Salvos never judged me. They took the time to learn my story,” she said.
“One of the biggest lessons I have learned over the last four years, if you can get your head, your heart and your guts working together, you can’t go wrong. The Salvation Army helped me in achieving this. They assisted me holistically.
“The Salvos supported me in a range of ways, from financial assistance and counselling to helping with groceries when I didn’t have money to feed myself, filling my kitchen with utensils, or just giving me a hug when I needed one. They made me feel human by being humane.
“Thank you to every member of the Salvos, every donor and supporter of the Salvos and every person in this room today – your support really does matter.
“When you’re coming out of a domestic abuse situation, what you need is a safe space, you need a place of no judgment, that is what the Salvos gave me and that’s what you’ve enabled the Salvos to give.
“It was such a comfort knowing that I had someone I could trust, places to go to, and people to turn to in my hardest days.”
The Red Shield Appeal runs through April, May and June. The annual doorknock will be held this weekend, 30 and 31 May. Volunteers will also be out and about collecting donations, or you can donate online.
Anyone impacted by sexual, domestic or family violence can contact 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or Full Stop Australia on 1800 385 578.
