The Bugle 14 December 2019
A fortnightly celebration of people and places on the Upper South Coast of NSW Serving the communities of Kiama, Gerringong, Jamberoo, Kiama Downs, Minnamurra and Gerroa and now at www.thebugleonline.com
Bill Campbell: A tale of resiliance
Minnamurra’s Bill Campbell hopes that his autobiography, Rejected No More, will help others traumatised by their childhood experiences to move on. In addition to the suffering from neglect, abandonment, and emotional, physical and sexual abuse, Mr Campbell was also separated from his twin sisters. They were in children’s homes and institutions, sometimes right next door, but were not able to communicate or see each other. “Being separated from my parents was hard enough, but then to be separated from my sisters… that was traumatic,” he says. Against all odds, having overcome the demons caused by his experiences – including sleeping rough in the Cross, alcohol addiction and a complete physical and mental breakdown – with a new found faith and the support of his wife, he became a successful business and family man. Wanting to save children from the experiences he went through, in 1998 he founded the William Campbell Foundation, an out-ofhome foster care agency with a focus on keeping siblings together. The Foundation now cares for over 110 children and young people who are supported by over 100 carers, throughout the Shoalhaven and Illawarra. It has 50 full time and 25 casual staff members working from five offices, as well
as a Nowra Hill Farming property, the site for the planned William Campbell College (a special assistance agricultural school). “When we started out we made it very clear we were a Christian organisation,” says Mr Campbell. “People looked upon us as a sect or a cult. “It took years to convince some people of our sincerity and integrity but we’ve done it. “I’m proud to see the outcomes we have with children, especially the ones that would otherwise fall through the cracks.” He says that writing the book, a three year process, was at times a traumatic, but ultimately a therapeutic, experience. “I didn’t want to experience again the emotions I had, because I felt that I was free of that now. “I didn’t want to discover things that I suspected might have happened but didn’t know for sure.” Mr Campbell said he was ultimately convinced to write the book in the hope of helping others. “This book is for everyone who has struggled to find meaning in life – if your childhood was dysfunctional, if you made terrible mistakes, if you feel the world is against you and if you feel unloved. “It is a book of empathy, understanding and healing, and is intended to bring freedom to children and adults
Inside this issue Different views on Gerroa habitat corridor p 3
Mystery buyer for 98 Terralong Street p3
Bill Campbell AO
Welcome to BH Bonaira Over a series of days, the residents of the Blue Haven Care Home have moved into their new residences at the Bonaira facility. “We’ve had families in happy tears here,” says one of the Blue Haven volunteers who helped with the move, Lyn Kuskey. “One said to me – I feel like my mother has won the lottery.” The complex was a hive of activity when The Bugle visited, as people were arriving by bus to settle into their new rooms. The residents we spoke to were all excited by the
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This is the last edition of The Bugle for 2019. The next issue will be available from 9 January.
Margaret Motaperto, with daughter Louise Maroney, were lent a helping hand moving in by Mayor Mark Honey and Blue Haven’s Continued on p10 Director of Nursing Dale Wakefield.
Continued on p4
21B Barney Street, KIAMA After Hours Towing 0438 424 574
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Minnamurra makes Top 3 beaches list p4
We wish you a wonderful Christmas and summer break, and look forward to bringing you more local news in 2020.
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