Rev’d Pam Harrison-Boyd - HEALnz Advocate

I was born in Sydney NSW and my family moved to Perth when I was
fourteen. I completed my high school years and began working in
offices and eventually became a legal secretary. I married and had
my two babies and went back to work when they were in primary
school. Two years later my first husband died in a mining accident.
My parents had moved back to Sydney and I was on my own and
coping was so hard but my friends were wonderful. Five years later I
married a farmer and I left him when my children told me he had
abused them for years. Devastated, I left the farm and began years
of therapy with psychologists, therapists and mental health. I then
got caught up with an alcoholic partner. I left him and spent time in
NZ with my daughter who had lived here for many years. I went
back to Perth when I heard that the alcoholic had died. I fixed up my
house, sold it and came to live in NZ 11 years ago. I did prison
volunteering work in Perth for about three years and began
volunteering at Ngawha for five years, during which time I was
ordained as an Anglican priest. I became a Chaplain at Ngawha Prison
for nearly 4 years until my ill health forced me to terminate my work.
I loved this work but going onto dialysis three times a week forced
my resignation. So not only have I had much therapy but I have been
able to practise it with many who are troubled in many ways.