Retirees still making a difference
The United Nations International Day of Older Persons is held annually on 1 October. It’s an opportunity to celebrate the valuable contribution older people make to families, communities and society, as well as to focus on their particular needs and challenges. Salvos Online asked three Salvationists – Bill Simpson, Major Coral Hodges and Major Maree Strong – to share their experiences of retirement.
BY BILL SIMPSON
I retired three times, really.
The first time was in 2000 when I was 56, after almost 40 years as a journalist in mainstream media and completing a Master of Arts (Journalism) degree late in my career.
I then worked for four years in a friend’s international computer (IT) consulting company, recruiting selective specialists from around the world to work for Australian companies and government departments. He wanted a colleague not for their IT skills but for their ability to talk with people!
When I retired from that company in 2005, a Salvation Army Divisional Commander asked if I would consider becoming full-time manager of a Salvation Army welfare centre in Wollongong (NSW).
I did that for five years, also writing a feature article once a month for The Salvation Army Pipeline (later Others) magazine, finally retiring in 2010 at 65.
In the last 10 years of working, I suppose I was gearing up for retirement, ensuring I had sufficient superannuation and looking for ways to get through each day with something meaningful.
I remained at the welfare centre as a volunteer two days a week, assisted at a school breakfast program one day a week, joined a Lions club, assisted at English Conversation classes once a week, and later joined the board of an organisation assisting homeless people.
I still volunteer in welfare, English Conversation classes and the Lions club (currently Service Chair). I also do other things, like pastoral care and life group (Bible study) organisation at my corps.
I bought my first pedal-assisted e-bike when I retired and still ride it most days.
My hopes and dreams for retirement were to be available to better assist my wife. I am now an expert weekly grocery shopper! I also wanted to spend valuable time assisting our three sons and our seven grandchildren. Those hopes and dreams have been met.
I live my retirement life doing all of the things listed above, as well as travelling overseas and interstate to meet up with friends my wife and I made during my working days. We have made some great friends, especially in The Salvation Army world.
I love everything retirement brings, from still being healthy enough to serve in some way, to helping family and having time to catch up with friends.
I don’t think I would change anything about how we planned and live our retirement. My wife and I are very content with what and who we have in our life. We have had some sadness. But this is where God has done his best work for us. We know the peace he promised.
Opening new doors
BY MAJOR CORAL HODGES
Retirement came to me earlier than expected. At 58, I retired so I could be with my husband, David, and care for him full-time.
Those years were both demanding and deeply precious – an opportunity to love, support and walk closely with him. After David’s passing, I returned to officership for five years and then retired again in 2019.
This second retirement opened new doors. I found joy in supporting my children and grandchildren, travelling overseas, and embracing new experiences. The greatest surprise for my family and me was falling in love, marrying, and moving to a new corps (Wollongong, NSW).
Marriage brought significant changes – new home, new opportunities, and the need to downsize twice – but it also opened a beautiful avenue of service at the corps as prayer coordinator, nurturing spiritual growth in me whilst encouraging others in their spiritual journey.
Through every transition, keeping my eyes on Jesus has been essential. Remaining connected to my family, praying, travelling, and sharing life with my husband (John) have brought deep blessing. Looking back, I see God’s wisdom guiding each step.
Retirement has not been what I first imagined, but it has been rich with obedience, resilience, delight and unexpected enrichment.
Retirement is good, but it’s not what I thought it would be. I have to look after my young grandchildren several times a week due to a marriage breakdown. I love them, and I love being with them, but it is very tiring. I don’t have much energy left for things I would like to do.
I would like to retire, but I can’t. If I don’t work, I don’t eat. This isn’t what I planned, but here we are. I am just grateful that I have a job.
Costs are rising, and we can’t afford the things we used to, but we have enough to eat, a place to live and people to connect with. Really, that is all we need.
I really struggled with retirement at first. I was bored, I missed my colleagues, and I didn’t know what to do with all my free time. I wanted to go back to work. I was lonely. A few years down the track and I have got involved in the community, made new friends and wonder now how I ever had time for work!
My health hasn’t been good since I retired, but I have a supportive family, encouraging church and much to thank God for. It’s not what I planned, but that’s reality. Overall, I am content.
I thought early retirement would be great. I would have time for hobbies, to read and learn more, to spend time with family and friends. It was good for a while, but then I missed routine, colleagues, challenges that I was good at solving, and being out in the community. I now work part-time and, while my health is good, I am happy with this balance.
An exciting new journey
BY MAJOR MAREE STRONG
Retirement began in quite an unexpected way during COVID lockdowns in March 2020.
It wasn’t how we imagined beginning this new chapter, but in retrospect it gave my husband Trevor and me the headspace to reflect on 40 years of full-time service.
During those early days of ‘mandatory confinement’, we sorted through resources and belongings that had mysteriously accumulated, and we learned new skills, including online Scrabble and baking various breads and buns.
At first, retirement carried a sense of novelty: slower mornings, spontaneous outings and the simple pleasure of not rushing or being bound by the demands of working life.
Over time, however, it has become less about stopping work and more about choosing how to live well.
Just as we were becoming settled, though, we felt a real prompting to move north from Canberra, back to the place where our lives together had started – the Sunshine Coast.
Navigating the various state restrictions during COVID was challenging, but we managed a one-week reconnaissance trip to South Queensland to explore our options. Eventually, we settled happily into Palm Lake Resort in Caloundra, where we have found a welcoming over-50s lifestyle community.
We are actively involved in a vibrant community life and have learned to play cards, lawn bowls and enjoy the numerous exercise and social activities available.
The local corps (Caloundra) has become our spiritual home, and we are both actively involved in corps activities beyond the band on Sundays.
Like most retirees, we continue to manage health challenges, but we are grateful for good medical support and for numerous opportunities we have had to travel, serve, connect and grow.
These initial years of retirement have not simply been a permanent holiday from work. They have formed a rich and meaningful experience, and we are truly contented with this exciting retirement chapter!
International Day of Older Persons resources can be found on MySalvos here.
