A life broken and rebuilt
Anne, pictured with Major Di Gluyas, says the Penrith Salvos “gave me back my life”. (Photo by Shairon Paterson)
At many of the darkest points in her life, Anne would desperately hold on to her faith by praying “Jesus, just show me the path – please show me the path.” Now, she believes her prayers have been answered.
After a recommendation from a friend, Anne contacted Major Di Gluyas, who was the head of The Salvation Army at Penrith, hoping for some advice about becoming job-ready. She laughs and says: “I just expected Di to meet me for a five-minute coffee, not help give me my life back!”
Despite earning a university degree, raising two sons and working as a scientist in the British hospital system for 20 years, Anne came to Australia five years ago with her confidence shattered after years of turbulence in her family life.
“As a child, I didn’t realise that my father had a problem with gambling and drink,” she says. “Looking back, my dad would also always subtly put my mum down and so when I became an adult I thought that was a normal way to be treated.”
Not wanting to go into too many details for the sake of her adult children, Anne says she was isolated and repeatedly humiliated in her own marriage.
After returning to work as a science technician in a local college, Anne was offered counselling and says: “They actually were the first to say to me: ‘you know what you’re describing is abuse?’”
After her marriage broke down, Anne eventually remarried, and moved to Australia. However, it wasn't until she settled here that her past trauma caught up with her.
“When I first came here, because I finally felt safe, a lot of stuff I’d buried deep inside started to come out. I found myself crying all the time and I started getting flashbacks. I was overwhelmed, went on anti-depressants and started seeing a counsellor.”
At the same time, wanting to get back into the workforce, a friend suggested she contact Major Gluyas.
“Until that point I had not met anyone who really understood what I'd been through,” Anne says. “A lovely friendship grew and now it’s like I’ve known Major Di (plus Daphne, another Salvos lady) all my life!”
Anne, who has a strong Catholic background and faith, soon began attending a bible study through The Salvation Army (Penrith) and also completed The Salvation Army’s Positive Lifestyle Program (PLP), which she says “markedly changed her life".
Anne had also been taking endless driving lessons, but the slightest hint of criticism would put her confidence in a tailspin. She was encouraged to take driving lessons with the Salvos’ Drive for Life Program which made all the difference. She says: “In my head the negative voice was loud for a lot of years, but the instructor took me right back to basics. Now I have my Green Ps. I’m super excited!”
Anne was also enrolled in the Salvos’ Mature Age Workers Program (employment support for people over 40) and started a “back to work course’”.
She now volunteers with a number of charities, and says: “I have now done some SAES (Salvation Army Emergency Services) training and been to two events. Where needed, I’ll do more. I want to pay it forward. And I also want to share my story to help others.”
She continues: “I know I don’t tick all those boxes when you think of someone in need – I’m not homeless; I don’t have an addiction problem; I have a husband who loves me; I have people who love me; I have a roof over my head; but I really did have a need!
“The Salvos didn’t have to help me and I didn’t go asking for help, but I have been given so much. They gave me my life back! I can’t thank them enough.”
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