Palmerston volunteer Bronwyn is a true Kingdom builder
Palmerston volunteer Bronwyn is a true Kingdom builder
17 September 2018
Salvationist Bronwyn Johnson (centre) recently received a Northern Territory Seniors of Exellence Award with Regional Officer Captain Richard Parker (right) and Palmerston Corps Outreach Officer Captain Katie Ryan (left). Photos Courtesy of NT Seniors of Excellence.
Volunteering isn’t about doing the right thing, it’s about being like Jesus, according to Bronwyn Johnson, a fourth-generation Salvationist who attends the Palmerston Corps.
Bronwyn volunteers for many organisations in the Palmerston area, dividing her time between The Salvation Army, the local primary school, Telecross and the scouts.
“We can be spectators and hope that others hear about the love of Christ through our church services and others doing the preaching, or we can get involved and let them see that love in action; impacting their lives and showing practical concern for them and their families,” she says. 
Bronwyn was one of 16 recipients of a Seniors of Excellence NT award. She was nominated by the Mayor of Palmerston, Athina Pascoe-Bell, and was presented with the award by State Government minister Dale Wakefield (pictured right with Bronwyn) at a special ceremony at the Trailer Boat Club near Fannie Bay in Darwin.
Salvation Army Regional Officer, Captain Richard Parker, Palmerston Corps Outreach Officer, Captain Katie Ryan, and Bronwyn’s children and grandchildren were present at the ceremony.
Bronwyn has been a pivotal member of the Palmerston community for 40 years, and is a founding member of Palmerston Corps.
She helps out with the corps’prison transport ministry, driving the bus between the corps and prison in outer Darwin so families can visit their loved ones. She also collects, packs and distributes bread donated to the corps. For 12 years Bronwyn ran the welfare office and she has also worked part-time with the missing persons department.
On Mondays, Bronwyn volunteers at the primary school library and drives the school bus for excursions; on Wednesdays she calls 90 seniors for Telecross to ensure they receive support; and on Mondays and Wednesdays she works with the scouts, training leaders as a Group Leader for Palmerston.
On top of this, she is also a Prisoners Aid Association representative and does visitation with the trolley at the Royal Darwin Hospital.
“Bronwyn is our local Kingdom builder who champions The Salvation Army’s vision through action,” says Captain Ryan. “She is a woman who daily lives, loves and fights along others with the love of Jesus, not only in her volunteer capacity with the corps and welfare, but in her influence in the community. We are so proud of her.”
Bronwyn has previously been awarded the Australia Day Citizen of the Year awards for Palmerston and Darwin. She has also been named a Paul Harris Fellow and awarded life membership of Scouting Australia for her invaluable work.
Despite this, Bronwyn says she was “surprised and shocked” to receive a Seniors of Excellence award.
“Being involved is her normal,” says Bronwyn’s daughter Sheryn.
“For Mum, it’s the practical expression of her Christianity. It’s the works that go with the faith ... treating others as you would be treated, helping angels unaware. It’s living Christ to other people.”
While Bronwyn is hesitant to blow her own trumpet, she is keen to point out that Palmerston Corps has fostered an environment of community care since it was opened in 1989.
With many transient visitors, Bronwyn says a small core of territorians is the lifeblood of the church. The corps’main outreach is a family meal on Sunday nights, where corps members teach basic cooking skills to the marginalised members of the Palmerston community.
This outreach does more than just benefit people outside the corps. As Bronwyn points out, volunteering in any capacity is good for the spiritual, physical and emotional wellbeing of those involved. Something she has experienced first-hand.
“It’s not all about giving, you get a lot in return!” she says. “It keeps the corps connected to the community, as an active part of it.”
Comments
Bronwyn is a saint, standup citizens like her are the unsung heroes of our society.