International Women's Day: Doreen's Life of Service to The Salvation Army

Riverview Gardens Aged Care Centre (“Riverview Gardens”) resident, Major Doreen Shaw Campos, was born to parents who served The Salvation Army. “My Father was the man who painted all the backdrops of The Salvation Army’s halls, and he was Band Master,” Major Doreen says. “My Mother was Primary Leader for many, many years.”  

Doreen goes on to explain how the Salvos have shaped her life as well, with her own appointments with The Salvation Army in Brazil and Portugal after training as a nurse in Melbourne and London.  

A significant life event in Major Doreen's early years occurred just before her eighteenth birthday. “I had a massive motorbike accident,” she explains. “We were coming home from music camp… and there was a semi-trailer on the Toowoomba Range; out of control. They said I would never walk or walk unaided. God said ‘no,’ all things are possible if you believe!” 

After the accident, Major Doreen was at a loss as to how she could pursue her interest in nursing. “I wanted to do nursing and no hospital in Queensland would accept me because of my injuries,” she notes. “But The Salvation Army hospital in Melbourne said, ‘we will give you a go. If you pass preliminary training school, you can stay,’ and I passed.”  

From there, she moved to London, completing post-graduate work in orthopaedics, ophthalmology, midwifery, and tropical diseases – “everything ready to go on the mission field.” 

Major Doreen then became a Divisional Commander and, after her husband, Sydney, collapsed and passed, she was sent to the second largest Corps in Brazil as part of her service to The Salvation Army. “I served everybody at the bottom of a mountain at the clinic,” Major Doreen tells. She also spent significant time serving a home for girls in Brazil. 

When the Falklands War broke out, she was sent to another Division in the interior of Brazil which she describes as having been, “seven hours away across the mountains – at times passing military roadblocks.”  

“It’s been difficult, but God has given me the strength,” she says. “Many, many years ago, when I was still a Corps Cadet, God gave me 2 Timothy 2:15, ‘Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth’ – that scripture has stayed with me throughout my whole career as an Officer; as a medical person; as the best nurse available to be.” 

Major Doreen’s strength and tenacity have continued to shine throughout her life despite its challenges. “I just know that the Lord never let me down,” she says. “Even times when things are very, very difficult, if you hang on, He doesn’t let go. He’s never failed me yet.” 

With the theme for International Women’s Day 2025, ‘Accelerate Action’, it is evident that Major Doreen’s own life is a testament to her spiritual calling as a Salvation Army Officer and faithfully serving those around her. She describes herself as, “an Ordained Servant of Christ and by nature is a Servant, serving today.” Major Doreen continues to exemplify this in her new home at Riverview Gardens.  

“I do all sorts of crafts; I’m a natural painter and, because I’ve worked and lived in many places, I’ve tried to learn something in the craft line and in the needle work line in all the countries I’ve been in,” she states. “So, even here today, I’m trying to teach people things.” Major Doreen also attends Chapel at the Centre with the on-site Chaplaincy team.