People are often at their most vulnerable when they face the justice system, and fortunately there is someone to stand with them on the Mid-North Coast. Jim Crombie is a Salvation Army court chaplain who helps at Port Macquarie, Kempsey and Wauchope’s local, district and criminal courts.
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He’s there to have a quiet word with those who need it, whether on the court floor or down in the cells. He listens to them without judgement and offers a literal shoulder for some to lean on, and others to cry.
Jim and his wife Susan had been involved with the Salvos for nearly 20 years when they decided to become adherents in 2007, and soldiers in September, 2009. Jim’s chaplaincy ministry is far removed from his previous life at sea in the merchant navy.
“I’ve been around the world three times and got paid for it, but I’m happy here now,” he says from his Port Macquarie home.
Were you always a religious person? My mother and father used to say I'd be most likely to be a Calathumpian, which is someone who takes the mickey out of religion (laughs). I was very strong in the Anglican Church until I was 17, when I had an argument with them and told them what to do with their church.
When we moved up to Wauchope about 10 years ago, my wife suggested we go to church because there was a nice corps at Port Macquarie. We helped out with the Red Shield Appeal over the years, Sue started a ministry on the street and I started a hotel ministry.
What does being a court chaplain involve? Often I can do more outside the court, when the family or the person is preparing to go in.
What kind of help do you offer? I just talk to them. I can give them an ear and a 'alf. I don't preach, but I can talk to them and I can listen. If they want a prayer, I can give that to them. Or if they want to pray themselves, then so be it. I'm not a good prayer myself, but I'll try my best. I don't really do much, because the uniform speaks for itself. A lot of people just want me to come up and say hello. Nine times out of ten that's all they need. Just to get a smile.
When I first get to the court, I wander around and ask them how they're going. Some want to talk, but most don't. But they'll look up, smile and say: "I'm alright." They know that I'm there, and that I'm available if they need me.
Sometimes some people get very upset by what happens in the court, (and) they only want someone to give them a hug. Actually, they only want a side-on-hug, because that's what we're allowed to offer.
Are you still involved with the Wauchope community? We're still involved with Wauchope. We don't go over there anywhere near as much as we did, but Sue is part of a women's group with the Salvation Army over there. I'm part of a men's group which meets for a barbecue breakfast on the second Friday of the month, at 9am at the Sancrox Reserve. It's fellowship for a lot of men over there, who don't get out much, and it gives them a break to get out and talk a bit. It also gives the men's wives and partners a good break too.
