Volunteer prison chaplain thought King’s Birthday honour was a scam

When Lyn Turner received an email telling her she had been recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours List, she ignored it.

Like many Australians, she suspected it might be a scam.

Thankfully, it wasn’t.

The long-serving volunteer prison chaplain – and also one of Carinity’s dedicated volunteer chaplains – has now been awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in recognition of decades of service to vulnerable communities both in Australia and overseas.

“I feel extremely honoured and humbled to receive this award,” Lyn said.

“But also grateful and excited; firstly just about being nominated and then about receiving the award.”

For the past 10 years, Lyn has volunteered with Inside Out Prison Chaplaincy, regularly visiting women in prison to provide pastoral care and support.

“There are many people who need our kindness and understanding and some of these – whether through difficult circumstances, lifestyle choices or just one bad mistake – have ended up in prison,” she said.

Lyn believes her work can help bring hope and encouragement to women facing difficult circumstances.

“As I visit a women’s prison, it is my belief that to save a mother is to save a generation,” she said.

“I trust that by visiting a prison each week as a chaplain I can offer pastoral care to the women, bring some meaning and positivity into their lives.”

Her OAM also recognises years of humanitarian work and disaster relief efforts.

Lyn has volunteered during floods, cyclones and other disasters in Australia and Vanuatu, helping communities recover and rebuild. She has also worked with some of the world’s most vulnerable people, including families in Bangladesh and Yazidi refugees living in camps in northern Iraq.

“We regularly hear about the many people worldwide who are survivors of war atrocities,” she said.

“Showing compassion and working towards improving their living conditions can give them the courage to keep going despite the heartache they have experienced.”

Despite the recognition, Lyn remains focused on encouraging others to volunteer.

“I am grateful to God for giving me the opportunities to serve others in various ways,” she said.

She hopes her award will inspire more Australians to get involved in their communities.

“Volunteer in any capacity, in any place,” she said.

For Lyn, the honour may have come as a surprise, but the impact of her work on countless lives is anything but.