Volunteering can often lead to new experiences, and in the case of Major Tony Detomasso, a Salvation Army Officer stationed in Tamworth since 2021, it inspired him to take on a full time role within the charity organisation.
After dedicating his time to the Salvation Army in various volunteer capacities, Major Detomasso made a life altering decision about 30 years ago. He chose to leave his day job behind and fully commit to the Salvation Army.
“Before I became an officer, I became involved with the work of the Salvation Army; I was a leader in the Boys Legion, a church group similar to the Boy Scouts, a Sunday school teacher, and helped out at Salvo fundraisers,” Major Detomasso said.
“Eventually, I left my full-time work as a technical officer with Telecom, which became Telstra to become a full time Salvation Army Officer.”
Major Detomasso says he has “always worked with volunteers in various different settings,” but his new role was an adjustment, one he was glad to have made though.
“The transition from working with components and modules, ensuring smooth communications, to dedicating my time entirely to people was a significant adjustment. It was a challenge, but one that I happily embraced,” he said.
“A Salvation Army Officer is a minister in the church. Now I’m a full time minister; I do lots of different things, Church services with my wife, weddings, funerals, plus all the social work, it’s been a pretty amazing journey,” Major Detomasso added.
Disaster leaves a lasting memory
During his more than three decades with the Salvation Army, Major Detomasso says he has seen and done a lot.
He was on the ground to help with disasters, supported people through crises, met lots of wonderful people, lived in various locations, and many other things that have helped shape his life for the better.
However, one event in particular soon after he joined the charity full time has stuck with him even after all this time.
“When I was a young Salvation Army officer in 1997, I got a phone call at 3am while I was in my first year and stationed in Cooma, there was a disaster in Threbbo, and I remember vividly not knowing what was going on,” Major Detomasso said.
“They phoned me from the head office in Canberra and said they are coming down with a few senior officers; they said get ready, we will pick you up, we are heading off to Thredbo.”
On July 30 1997, a catastrophic landslide in Thredbo hit the village and ski resort, destroying two ski lodges, 18 people were killed. A 27 year old ski instructor, Stuart Diver, was the only survivor.
“That really stuck with me, being down there as part of the team, and supporting people, and afterwards, the only survivor of that tragedy, Stuart Diver, having him come and speak to the Salvation Army, I’ve always remembered it,” Major Detomasso said.
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