As the new Salvation Army rural chaplains, husband and wife duo Jeff and Sharilyn Bush will work to bring support and company to the Dubbo region.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
"We're a caring ear. We'll go and hear their stories and it's through that we hear their pain," Captain Jeff Bush said.
The chaplains provide company for those who are lonely, as well as a variety of duties from providing financial and physical support, visiting communities to pinpoint areas of need and referring families to helpful services.
"It's about meeting people, serving people, bringing hope, providing support," Captain Sharilyn Bush said.
The pair will provide their services from the coast to Broken Hill and expect to visit two to three families a day in addition to the numerous phone calls for those they can't see face-to-face.
Captain Jeff Bush said it was much harder for people in rural areas to access the services they needed as it was not as simple as typing it into Google.
It's a new role for them, having just moved from Gladstone in Queensland, but both said they were looking forward to the adventure.
"We're happy to serve where ever the Salvation Army appoints us," Captain Sharilyn Bush said.
She said while the majority of people they visited were Salvation Army clients, they were willing to help anyone in need as long as they were in a rural location.
The chaplains can be contacted on 0411 235 965.
