2ND edition 2011
this issue: - GUNNEDAH HOUSE OF HOPE - FROM FRONTLINE EMERGENCIES TO CHRISTMAS CHEER
Wills Update
YOUR WILL A GIFT OF A LIFETIME
News & stories from The Salvation Army Wills & Bequests team
Gunnedah house of hope Photo: Namoi Valley Independent
“Jesus would be here walking amongst the broken, the hungry and the abused, and the house given to us seemed to represent the need. “Ninety per cent of windows in the house were smashed, there were holes in the walls, the carpet was filthy and stained, and arsonists had failed in their attempts to burn the place down.” – Envoy Joy Wilson, Gunnedah, NSW During one of The Salvation Army’s monthly barbeques, initiated by Envoy Joy Wilson, attracting more than 50 people in a high-need area of Gunnedah, a suggestion was made to ask the local community housing provider if it were possible to lease a house in the area, as a permanent Salvation Army base. Hoping to provide a positive presence in the neighbourhood by offering a variety of services and programs, Joy approached Homes North to see if they would consider the proposal, and the housing provider agreed. There was one house available in the area which had been significantly damaged, but Homes North offered the property to the Salvos at just over one dollar a year rent, and so they seized the opportunity and started up Hope House. Joy Wilson, now Salvation Army Hope House co-ordinator, explains the deep needs in a small neighbourhood ‘well known’ to police as a challenging area of the rural town of Gunnedah. She says: “We didn’t start in the most respectful and affluent neighbourhood, but in an area of high crime and low income.
Local teenager Kye spent his last day in Gunnedah painting a mural on the Hope House fence.
“We felt we needed to be among this community of broken people.”
“He had fought tooth and nail to become a champion!”
The Hope House refurbishment was finally completed in September this year, with additional funding made possible through a generous bequest also contributing to the daily operational costs. A number of service clubs, churches and individuals also generously supported the project.
To date, Kye has won four national Golden Gloves, three Australian boxing titles and eight state titles.
Local teenager Kye, who is the current Australian welterweight boxing champion, was commissioned to paint a special mural on the Hope House fence, which he spent his last day in Gunnedah completing before moving to Sydney for training. Kye and his family first met Joy, and a small Salvos team, at the monthly barbecues, and Joy has supported his mother for a number of years. Joy says: “Kye was brought up in a very difficult environment and was in foster care with his siblings for a time.
In May, he represented Australia at the Arafura Games in Darwin, then competed in New Caledonia, and is on his way to fulfilling his dream of one day competing in the Olympic Games, last month winning the NSW Olympic Trials. Joy, who is also working with the courts and local schools, says that she is not there to lecture, but just to be a friend, and offer services to help those who are struggling. Sometimes the depth of need can seem overwhelming, she says, but she does what she can and hands the rest to God. She says seeing the success in Kye’s life, and a number of others, is very encouraging. “We want to see a whole heap more beat the odds just like Kye,” she says.
Wills Update
2ND edition 2011
From frontline emergencies to Christmas cheer Photo: Shairon Paterson
Lyn says: “You see your livelihood dying before your eyes. It is not a good feeling. “Things were a bit tough and a corned beef sandwich was the plan for Christmas, when an unusual bird fell out of the sky, an ‘angel’ called Simon Steele from The Salvation Army. “I have always been reluctant to accept help, as there is always someone else worse off,” she says. But, this time, Lyn had no say.
Salvation Army Flying Padres, Envoys Simon and Natalie Steele
“Four boxes of Salvation Army Christmas cheer were delivered and shared among our three families. We were like little children ripping open gifts for the first time, and it was amazing to see how excited a teenager could get over a packet of bought biscuits.” – Lyn, Gilberton, Qld In its first year of use, the Robinson 44 helicopter* used by Salvation Army Flying Padres, Envoys Simon and Natalie Steele, has covered vast tracts of Simon’s 800,000 square kilometre territory, and has enabled greater access to those in remote areas, than the previous fixed wing aircraft. As well as offering pastoral and practical care in times of grief, illness, financial stress, loneliness, and disaster, Simon has also worked with State Emergency Services teams in flood and cyclone ravaged areas. The couple have also been able to provide fresh bread, fruit and
vegetables, a welcome change for the communities, many of whom are cut-off from civilisation for months during the wet season. For Simon and Natalie, the build-up to Christmas was one of their busiest times of the year in 2010, and 2011 looks to be just as busy. One recipient of Flying Padre Christmas cheer, Lyn, still marvels at her first meeting with Simon. A resilient woman, Lyn is used to the challenges of remote outback farming, and has also been helping with the educational needs of rural and remote children for over 15 years. However, by the end of the prolonged drought, Lyn and her family simply had little left financially or emotionally. On Christmas Eve, with some gifts and food parcels in reserve, Simon decided to fly in, unannounced, to the dry and remote property, which housed a number of families, and where he guessed locals were facing some tough times.
“Boxes were coming out of the chopper. We couldn’t believe that this was happening,” she says. And, Lyn says, much more meaningful than any gifts was the sense that someone cared. Since the first meeting, Simon and Natalie have supported Lyn’s family and neighbouring families through times of serious illness. Lyn says: “Words cannot explain how humbled you feel. “We are very grateful to have someone to talk to and someone to listen, and just be a friend. You couldn’t ask for anything better!” *As reported 12 months ago, the helicopter was made possible by a bequest from late Queensland pastoralist Keith “Wild Horse” Dawson, who was for many years a strong supporter of The Salvation Army, especially its Outback Flying Service. A second chopper, a corporate donation, will join the first by the end of 2011, with Salvation Army officer pilot training also made possible through Mr Dawson’s gift.
For credit card donations phone 13 SALVOS (13 72 58) or visit salvos.org.au | Letters and feedback welcome Published by The Salvation Army Australia Eastern Territory Communications and Public Relations Department PO Box A229, Sydney South NSW 1232 Editor: Communications and Public Relations Secretary Phone: (02) 9266 9631 ©The Salvation Army 2011 Wills & Bequest Freecall Number 1800 337 082 | salvos.org.au/wills
Please remember The Salvation Army when you next prepare or update your Will