Toowoomba Greats - Betty Matthews

In 1983 the matron of The Salvation Army’s Toowoomba hostel for homeless men, Betty Matthews (pictured right), received an Australia Day Citizen Award.

Nominated by the then Toowoomba Salvation Army officer, Captain Ray Herron, he pointed out that although she had been working 24-hours a day, seven days a week, for seven years, Mrs Matthews refused to accept any salary.

After joining The Salvation Army in 1971 Mrs Matthews shared the work at the hostel with her husband for six years until his death in 1981 and then carried on alone.

At the time of receiving the award she spoke about the men she served at the hostel: They are men on the move, looking for a job. But it just seems to be getting harder for them. If staying here helps for a while, then it’s been worthwhile.