Lizzie’s Life With the Salvos

Lizzie has been a resident of Shaftesbury Court Retirement Village (“Shaftesbury Court”) for over 17 years, noting that it provides her with all her needs at her stage in life. “I enjoy the fact that it’s very close to everything and, as we age, it’s great to just be able to walk up the road,” she says. “My doctor and my chemist are just across the road, and the train station is near, and the buses stop at the end of the road."  

As well as this, Lizzie says that she enjoys the strong sense of community and spiritual care at the Village “They have a wonderful Chaplain who comes every week, and we have Chapel once a month and we enjoy it,” she explains. “We have a common room downstairs and a bedroom and bathroom whereby family and friends can come and stay.” Lizzie reflects that whilst Shaftesbury Court functions as Independent Living Units, the residents appreciate the work of the Village staff. “We are fortunate to have an amazing Village Manager and Maintenance Manager who look after us well,” she says.

Lizzie, who grew up in England, has lived a life of adventure, first coming to Australia in the 1970’s. Whilst she lived in England, Lizzie was part of the Naval Fleet Air Arm in the military and, in her 30’s, she made a career change to become a nurse. “My mother came to live with us; we had a barn which we made up into a cottage for her and so she looked after the three children, and I hopped off to learn how to be a nurse,” Lizzie explains. “I went to what they called was ‘St. Michael’s,’ and it was run by nuns. That took three years and I stayed there for another three or four years. Then we moved to Australia.”  

Whilst her decision to become a nurse wasn’t until later in her life, Lizzie reflects that this sense of care was inherently within her. “As a youngster, I was a middle child and I tended to look after the other two,” she states. The decision to become a nurse was one that stuck with her, with Lizzie saying: “I never looked back. I never did anything else.”  

After Lizzie moved to Sydney, she became connected with The Salvation Army and the movement became an increasingly significant part of her life. For many years prior to the pandemic, she was involved in The Salvation Army through volunteering activities. “Every Sunday we used to go into Congress Hall, and we did all sorts of things; we helped in the kitchen, we helped with the homeless,” she says. “We used to work in the kitchen on Sundays after the Service and I became a Salvationist.” Lizzie was also involved in Home League for many years, which she enjoyed. 

When considering what she most enjoys about her connection to The Salvation Army and being a Salvationist, Lizzie notes it is The Salvation Army’s acceptance of others. “I think that they don’t make judgements. I’ve never felt fear, when whoever was doing the sermon in Congress Hall, and they’re always someone different.”  

Lizzie states that being a Salvationist has taught her the important life lessons of forgiveness. “I think I’ve learnt that one thing is if I have upset someone, I have to go and apologise straight away,” she explains. “And then you’re at peace with yourself and you’re at peace with the other person as well.”