“THE Salvation Army will always be a part of who we are, but just in a different way now,” Mount Gambier-based Corps Officer Cameron Horsburgh said as his departure from the organisation looms.
“It is time to move on, we have been doing it for a long time and we think there are other things that need to be done that we would do better outside of The Salvation Army.”
Involved with the organisation since he was just 11 years old, Mr Horsburgh will step down from his position in the new year so he can remain in Mount Gambier after decades moving across the country serving the community.
First based in Portland, then Horsham and Colac, before making his way to Mount Gambier – where he has remained for the past six years – Mr Horsburgh said he has thoroughly enjoyed getting to know the communities of Australia.
“In Mount Gambier in particular one of the highlights would have to be our music program and working with preschool kids,” he said.
“And of course just getting involved with the community and meeting everyone.”
A huge part of not only his life, but sharing the responsibilities with his wife and children, the dedicated community man said it will always be a part of who they are.
“Trudy has been involved since she was born and when we met each other that was pretty much it,” he said.
“The girls have known no different, this has been our whole life.
“The Salvation Army stands for a lot of social justice issues and that is very much who we are as people, so you can’t really remove that from us.”
From church services to helping those in need, Mr Horsburgh and his family have formed strong friendships within the community and it is for this reason Mount Gambier will remain their home.
“Before we knew we were going to resign, we couldn’t think about leaving from Mount Gambier, we would say to mum and dad you have to quit if we get a letter (to relocate) because we are not leaving,” Cameron’s daughter Shekinah said.
“We have made such a big family here, from the youth advisory group to the schools, it is so great, we couldn’t imagine leaving anyone.
“It is exciting because this is the longest we have ever lived somewhere.”
Never knowing if they would move or stay until they received a letter in the mail towards the end of the year, Ms Horsburgh said they were sometimes only given one week of notice before they had to pack up and move on to their next adventure.
“It is a very different lifestyle and it has a very significant effect on how you live your life, especially now that you can be sent anywhere in Australia,” she said.
Considering The Salvation Army as her “second home”, Shekinah said it would take some time to get used to the new lifestyle.
“It’s not just a job, our lives revolve around the army, it’s weird to think we won’t ever get a letter again to say we are moving,” she said.
“We would do our homework at the office, sometimes have dinner there, we are a really close family so are always together.
“But we know mum and dad are leaving to do more good work, we will still be just as involved with the community.”
