Margie Maccoll
Every 17 seconds someone in Australia calls on the Salvation Army for help, locals heard last week when The Salvation Army launched their Red Shield Appeal 2022 at a fundraising breakfast at Peppers Noosa Resort & Villas.
In Noosa, a recent call came in to help an 82-year-old man, George (not his real name), who was sleeping rough beside the Noosa River, the Army’s Lieutenant Matthew Gluyas told the breakfast.
When Salvation Army officers found him he was sitting on a bench next to another man who had made the call. George had been beaten up by a housemate and had to flee his house, Matt said.
“He didn’t have time to collect his belongings or his walking frame. We took George to hospital then checked him into a hotel temporarily until we can find accommodation,“ he said.
“How do you get from a decent job to sleeping by the river?“ Matt asked.
“The man who called us was also homeless. He was sleeping in a beat up car – one of about 40 people sleeping regularly in cars by the river.
“The other day I went to see George. We want to walk this road with you, I told him. We want to find you long term accommodation. It’s changed George’s life.“
Having arrived in Noosa in January from Sydney, Matt has been shocked at the need in Noosa.
“A lot of the time in Sydney you see homeless in the streets. I thought surely not in Noosa,“ he said.
“It’s been confronting to see how dense it is. People are fleeing violence. It just keeps evolving, it’s not ending.
“You hear stories of people’s rent going up $200-300 a week. People who were scratching before, how do they budget for that? Places further out like Gympie are not affordable. People feel trapped.
“People come and say they don’t have enough fuel to pick up the kids from school. But people look the Noosa part. They don’t look like they’ve been sleeping rough for decades. I think we’re just scratching the surface.“
Matt told the breakfast meeting while they couldn’t provide accommodation for everyone, they tried to give people some dignity by offering a shower, a hot meal and a place to sit and talk.
They are also supporting training for people to instil hope and provide a path for their future.
Matt spoke about a 15-year-old boy Daniel (not his real name) who had joined their skills program and, in partnership with Padre Coffee, was training to become a barista.
“Daniel’s mum passed away last year and, to make matters worse, his dog passed away on Mother’s Day this year,“ he said.
“Living with ADHD and Aspergers, times are tough.
“Daniel said it’s all too hard. I just want to drop out of school. We want to see him train up to be a good barista and Daniel has taken on a new love for coffee.“
Matt said his teacher, with tears in her eyes, told him recently, it was the first time she’d seen Daniel concentrate.
“This training not only changes his reality but changes the future for his children. It breaks the cycle,“ Matt said.
With funds The Salvation Army can continue to fund these services locally and provide others such as their emergency pantry, Christmas fund and help those fleeing domestic violence.
“We know how important it is and what that can achieve for people like Daniel and George. What price can we put on hope?“ Matt said.
“It’s the best investment you’ll make in transforming a life. Partner with the Salvos and bring hope to people in this beautiful place we call paradise.
“I ask on behalf of all these people who come to us desperately needing help. The task is enormous but better together.“
Mayor Clare Stewart, who attended the breakfast, urged the community to get behind the Red Shield Appeal.
“It will change lives. $70 can fill a car with fuel, $150 can provide a mattress. Even $5 or $10 will make a difference,“ she said.
“The Salvos do so much of the heavy lifting in the community.“
The Red Shield Appeal is aiming to raise $60,000 in Noosa but they need help.
“We’re so grateful to the Noosa community, which has always rallied together and supported the Red Shield Appeal. This year is no different – we need the help of community members more than ever as we continue to support those who have felt the devastating impacts of the past couple of years,” Matt said.
To donate visit salvationarmy.org.au/noosa/red-shield-appeal-2022/
