Hazel celebrates 100 years with the Salvos

For more than 100 years, Hazel Vickery’s life has been richly entwined with the work and mission of The Salvation Army.

Hazel was born on the September 23, 1920 at Gulgong (NSW) into a Salvation Army family. Her father Harry Gudgeon was The Salvation Army bandmaster at Gulgong Salvos, where Hazel's family worshiped.

During WWII, the family relocated to Sydney and Hazel found work in the telephone exchange at the Post Master General’s Department. It was in Sydney, at Burwood Salvation Army, that Hazel met Fred Vickery. They were married in 1947 and went on to have four children. (Their daughter Anne Gumuna later became a Salvation Army officer).          

In 1953, the family moved to The Salvation Army Toongabbie, where Hazel continued to serve as a Salvation Army ‘soldier’ until the centre closed more than 40 years later. She then moved to Parramatta Corps (church) where she has served and worshipped ever since.

Grant Sandercock-Brown of Parramatta Salvos says: “A gifted musician, Hazel has served as a pianist in many roles and has also invested in young people and others in a wide range of ministry roles.

“Hazel is a valued member of the Parramatta Corps and an amazing person with a dry sense of humour and a keen interest in her corps. She is a constant encouragement! We thank God for her and pray every blessing on her for the future.”

Hazel is pictured with Bruce Bowie, also from Parramatta Salvation Army. Bruce and his wife Lois regularly transport Hazel to church.