Hope, courage and healing the focus of Gold Coast RSA launch
- simoneworthing
- 1 day ago
- 4 min read
BY SIMONE WORTHING
Hope, courage and the power to make a difference were the overriding themes of the Gold Coast Red Shield Appeal launch breakfast on Tuesday 20 May. The atmosphere was dynamic – people were ready to help and wanted to be involved.
Tahana Turner, a proud Bundjalung woman, gave an inspiring, thought-provoking and personal Acknowledgement of Country to begin the morning, encouraging everyone to appreciate and see the beauty of all Countries, wherever they are. Tahana is the Divisional Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Engagement Coordinator for Queensland.
After a warm welcome, Major Mark Everitt, Queensland Divisional Commander, challenged the audience to take five seconds and share with those at their table the three issues they would like to solve in our communities.
As people concluded their lively discussions, Mark shared that the top three among so many are homelessness, domestic violence and poverty. He then showed some of the spiralling statistics around these issues, as well as other areas where the Salvos assist.
“Thank you for choosing to be part of the solution,” he said. “Supporting this appeal brings the hope people need, and your generosity is what makes our work possible.”
Event MC, Councillor Glenn Tozer, introduced the keynote speaker, singer and songwriter Beckah Amani. Beckah sang ‘Something’s Got to Change’, with her lyrics focused on the need to see and help each other through pain and suffering, so lives can be different.
Cr Tozer then interviewed Beckah about her early life in Burundi, Central East Africa, her move to Australia with her family as refugees in 2007, the role of music in her life, and how she uses music to help bring hope and change.
“My parents were both musicians, playing folk, old folk, traditional Burundian music growing up,” she shared. “It helped us through tough times as my parents navigated living in the refugee camp and raising us. It was such a strong place for us to know about our identity and where we’re from, and also tell stories about our home country and how community can rise up and hold each other together.”
Beckah explained that ideas around social and community justice permeate her songs.
“There are always so many social issues going on. As an artist, and given my background, I always feel like I have a place and have been given the talent and the gift to speak on these big issues … Music is such a powerful artistry to talk about those things and advocate for change.
“It’s amazing that we can draw people into a story, into an action … Music brings, and spreads, hope.”
Hope and transformation
Testimonial speaker, Julie, shared her harrowing story through addiction, domestic violence, depression, suicide attempts and homelessness before a referral to the Salvos changed her life.
With a nod to Beckah about the power of music, Julie shared that, in the middle of a violent marriage, hearing Vanessa Amorosi’s song ‘Shine’ on the radio gave her courage to leave her situation, knowing that she, too, could rebuild and shine.
Julie had been a fly-in-fly-out worker based in Perth before moving back to the Gold Coast when her daughter had children. She continued this work from Brisbane before the mining industry crashed, and she broke her back.
After two years recovering from her injury, the housing crisis hit, and Julie was living in her car – and keeping that hidden from her children. A council worker found her one night and, instead of moving her on, called the Salvos.
Life-changing support
Still Waters, The Salvation Army’s supported accommodation for women and families experiencing crisis on the Gold Coast, contacted Julie, and her healing journey began.
“The support I received at Still Waters was life-changing,” she shared. “I had time to heal, breathe, and know I had help to find permanent housing.
“I was fragile. I couldn’t take another setback or challenge. They assured me they had my back. All the staff and their support were amazing. Nobody judged me. There were no expectations on me, no time pressure. The focus was on me feeling safe and secure, to be still, to be at peace emotionally and physically. That is what Still Waters gave to me.”
Healing art
Once she had her own accommodation, Julie wanted to continue the arts and crafts she had started at Still Waters. “I wanted to paint the pelicans I used to visit with my grandkids,” she explained. “When I googled ‘pelican’, the first line read, ‘Pelicans are drawn to still waters.’ It was a perfect fit. I painted ‘Still Waters’ on the beak of my pelican.
“I also wanted some plants in my new place. I bought an orchid, then wondered why. So, I googled ’orchid’, and it means ’new beginnings’.
“I’ve learned I need people, and that personal boundaries are a must. And I now believe that with the support of The Salvation Army, everyone can have the tools to change their life. Just put your hand up and ask for help. I did. Believe. Achieve. Succeed.”
Colonel Winsome Merrett, Chief Secretary, gave closing comments.
“The trajectory of our lives is shaped by the choices we make every day,” she said.
“And as you’ve heard this morning, there are many, many people who find themselves having to make really challenging, really difficult choices every day … but through your support and generosity, you are helping more people have more options for those choices. Each of us has a choice.”
Winsome concluded the morning with prayer.
