NAIDOC - a time of celebration
Shirli Congoo acknowledges the traditional custodians of our land at her enrolement as a Salvationist.
(photo by Bruce Harmer)
As Australia celebrates the heritage and achievements of indigenous people during NAIDOC Week, Major Carolyn Harmer reports on the life and work of new Salvation Army Indigenous Engagement Officer, Shirli Congoo.
Shirli Congoo can trace her ancestry back to Aboriginal descent on her grandfather’s side and Vanuatuan descent on her grandmother’s side. “Family is the top priority for our people,” she says. Caring for family is a very strong trait in the indigenous culture but since becoming a Christian this has also been confirmed to Shirli through scripture.
Over the past few years Shirli has experienced great losses in her family. In a period of 16 months she saw her nephew, younger brother and older brother all pass away as a result of illness, suicide and alcohol abuse. Shirli says “It was after the suicide of my younger brother that I dedicated my life to the Lord.”God revealed himself to Shirli through people he placed in her life at that time.
“Through fellowship, faith and prayers with family and Salvationists I witnessed healing and blessings for our family that can only be described as being orchestrated by God.”
Three years ago at the age of 41, when Shirli thanked a young Salvationist for his assistance and support after the suicide of her brother, she recalls him saying “Don’t thank me, thank God.” That moment was a turning point for Shirli: “This was when I decided that I wanted to get to know this God.”
Aboriginal people tend to steer away from any form of religion. Since settlement in 1788 there have been many historical abuses resulting in great trauma. This has had a trans-generational impact on many aboriginal people and is still very real for them today. “Given I am still young in my faith” says Shirli “I am still discovering compatibility of faith, culture and customs.” A balance is found for Shirli between her culture and her faith by engaging in discussions and fellowship with Elders in her community as well as Elders within her church.
Shirli and her husband Christopher have been together for 25 years. They have four sons and a daughter of their own. “We also raised two nephews and a niece and have cared for as many as 23 children of family members over the years.” adds Shirli.
When Shirli shared with her family that she had found a new faith in God they were happy for her. - they respected and supported her choice. They could see the positive impact her faith in God was having on her, and consequently on their family life.
Shirli was enrolled as a Salvationist in April 2011. About eight months later she was offered a position working for The Salvation Army Australian Eastern Territory as an Indigenous Engagement Officer, based in Townsville.
The core focus of this position is to be a link between the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities and The Salvation Army. Shirli’s role is to engage with the indigenous communities and to be a source of information and support to The Salvation Army as it endeavors to work in these communities.
A high percentage of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders are marginalised. Shirli says, “One of the most encouraging reasons I chose to be a Salvationist is because the Army wants to be engaged in social justice and advocacy to honour God.” Shirli believes she can do this through her new role as an Indigenous Engagement Officer.
She’s often reminded through scripture of the necessity for Christians to be involved in advocacy: “It is my hope that in this new role I will be able to help create a just society by engaging in social issues and advocacy.”
When speaking about her family, Shirli says: “We hope to have instilled in them the important values of life, of being respectful, keeping safe and having healthy relationships with people.” These values will, no doubt, permeate into her workplace as well.
NAIDOC Week is all about celebrating the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. For Shirli, she has an impressive ancestral history, a rich culture and many personal achievements. She and her family are well respected in her own indigenous community and she is fast gaining the respect and gratitude of The Salvation Army community for the person she is and the work she is doing.
No doubt there will be many more achievements as she serves her God and her people.
Please remember Shirli Congoo and the work she does as you consider donating to The Salvation Army’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Appeal, 8th July-12th August 2012.
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