Eva Burrows Award recipient a ‘truly good bloke’
BY LAUREN MARTIN
Two Salvationists and a long-term supporter of the Red Shield Appeal have been honoured at the Illawarra Red Shield Appeal launch in Wollongong, south of Sydney.
Bill Dowson OAM, a long-term chair of The Salvation Army’s Red Shield Appeal Illawarra residential doorknock committee, was honoured with one of The Salvation Army’s highest honours – the Eva Burrows Award.
In presenting the award, The Salvation Army’s General Manager of Community Fundraising, Andrew Hill, said the award honours individuals who make a genuine difference in the lives of Australians.
“We present the Eva Burrows Award to Mr Bill Dowson OAM, in recognition of his dedicated and loyal service to The Salvation Army in the Illawarra region for more than 30 years.”
It is estimated that in his time as Chairperson of the Residential Red Shield Appeal Committee, Bill has assisted The Salvation Army in raising more than $3 million for people in need across the Illawarra.
“I can’t comprehend the amount of lives you have impacted by raising those funds,” said Andrew. “You are an absolute legend in The Salvation Army.”
In accepting the award, Bill said he was surprised to receive such an accolade for doing something he loved, which brought him immense joy.
“I have been able to spend time with the cleverest and most benevolent people,” he said, also paying tribute to his wife Lee, recalling that “we climbed Bulli Pass together one year to collect for the Red Shield Appeal.”
Salvationists Lyn Mather and Amy Seymour were also honoured at the event with local awards for their service to The Salvation Army through the Red Shield Appeal.
Bill presented the awards and said he was “honoured to recognise two of the amazing souls who gave up so much time with their families … as they turned their attention and commitment to the [Red Shield] Appeal.”
