Hopes, dreams and choices at Red Shield Appeal launch in Brisbane
- simoneworthing
- May 6
- 5 min read
“It starts with a dream,” said Olympic beach volleyball gold medallist and Salvation Army supporter Natalie Cook OAM, who was the keynote speaker at the launch of the Brisbane Red Shield Appeal (RSA) on Friday 2 May.
Natalie was speaking directly to testimonial speaker Cameron McDonald, who had just shared her heartbreaking yet inspiring journey through decades of abuse, domestic violence and addiction to a life of renewed faith, strength and hope.
“Your future looks like whatever you want it to be,” continued Natalie, as she gave Cameron one of her treasured Olympic volleyballs, and the more than 420 people attending the launch broke into spontaneous applause.
Cameron, who will also be the testimonial speaker at the upcoming Sydney and Adelaide RSA launches, spoke about the help she received from the Salvos, who “have played such an integral part in my journey … they rolled up their sleeves, got in the trenches with me and held my hand. They supported me in a range of ways … they believed me, they never judged me … they helped me holistically and gave me a safe space.
“They made me feel human by being humane.”
Rebecca Levingston, ABC journalist, producer and presenter, was MC for the Brisbane event. Rebecca welcomed everyone before the morning began with an Acknowledgement of Country.
Her Excellency Dr Jeannette Young, Governor of Queensland, officially launched the Queensland Red Shield Appeal at the breakfast. Dr Young and her husband, Professor Graeme Nimmo, are patrons of The Red Shield Appeal in Queensland.
“There are always people within our communities who are in need, and this has been the case for the entirety of the time the Salvos have been in existence,” said Dr Young. “And it’s indeed why this army of goodwill was established in the first place, and why it’s still so very necessary.
“Queenslanders, of course, are not immune … and continue to hope for better times. With the launch in Brisbane this morning of the Red Shield Appeal, that hope exists. The hope is to assist as many Queenslanders as possible into transitional and long-term housing, to provide emergency and disaster relief when needed, to dispense financial aid when necessary, to help job seekers look for employment, and to shore up all essential services that provide care to those who need it. Together, let’s make that hope happen.”
Divisional Commander’s challenge After warmly welcoming everyone to the launch, Major Mark Everitt, Queensland Divisional Commander, challenged the audience to take five seconds and share with those sitting next to them the three issues they would like to solve in our society today.
A loud and energetic buzz erupted before Mark shared that the top three among many are homelessness, domestic violence and poverty. Mark then shared 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.”
Breakfast was then served, allowing people to network and chat with the Salvos representatives at each table.
Building social capital
After a video highlighting the work of the Salvos, Ross Israel, Brisbane Corporate and Philanthropic Advisory Group Chair, spoke about the “warmth and a compassion” the Salvos bring to the local community across a range of essential services and how critical these services are in maintaining and building “social capital”. He defined this as referring to “the networks, relationships, norms and trust that enable people or groups to work together effectively and achieve common goals”.
“I would just like to ask you, please, to give generously this morning to help the Salvos, who are building our social capital 24/7 and 365 days a year, lifting those that are desperately in need of help and hope.”
Passing the ball In her keynote address, Natalie spoke of her dream to become an Olympian at the age of eight when she watched Lisa Curry-Kenny win the 100-metre freestyle swim at the 1982 Commonwealth Games.
“We all have dreams,” she said, “and it’s not just about sport. Who’s still got a dream? Who’s waiting for it to come true? Who’s changed it? And that’s the beauty of the dream – you can change it.”
In true Natalie Cook style, with humour and depth, she compared her dream with that of Salvation Army founders William and Catherine Booth, and the legacy their dream has left today in the lives of thousands of people around the world.
And, as she spoke about her own Olympic journey and “four hours of fame”, she also challenged people, as they are able, to change two people’s lives or to change thousands of people’s lives through the work of the Salvos.
“Please consider the contribution you can make, not just financially, but in other ways so this legacy continues to ripple out,” she said.
“How can we be the hope? And how can we keep the ball flying? And how can we pass the ball? How can we get people off the streets and to the Salvos?
“In this room, we can be the hope, and we can believe in good.”
Others Award Colonel Winsome Merrett, Chief Secretary, presented the ‘Others’ award – a tribute that recognises an organisation, trust or foundation that offers an extraordinary spirit of service to others – to the Sylvia and Charles Vertel Charitable Foundation.
Justice Deborah Mullens, Chair of the Foundation, accepted the award.
“The Foundation has been making multi-year grants to the Salvation Army for over 20 years … It has been an honour and a privilege to see what The Salvation Army has been able to achieve with the Vertel grants, and Cameron [testimonial speaker] has made us so aware of that today.”
Winsome added that the Foundation’s partnership with The Salvation Army “exceeds 24 years with donations totalling more than 40 million”.
Choices “The trajectory of our lives is shaped by the choices we make every day,” Winsome said in her closing remarks.
“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.
“We can each be the hope for others in our everyday lives. When we hear of someone’s struggles, we can choose to listen. When we see hardship, we can choose compassion, and when we know someone is battling and doing it tough, we can choose to step in and offer a helping hand.”
Winsome concluded the morning with prayer.
The Brisbane RSA launch event raised over $400,000, with more donations to follow.
