Reverend Greg Colby

Program Manager
The Salvation Army, Inner City Homelessness Services (Foster House), Surry Hills

I am a person with lived experience of the custodial systems in NSW and Victoria. As a juvenile I experienced periods of remand in Minda, Yasmar and at Tamworth Boys Home and a period of detention to Mt Penang Juvenile Detention Centre. I have had adult sentences of imprisonment and spent those sentences at Long Bay (MRRC and CIP), Cessnock and in Victoria at Pentridge. I have completed University studies in Counselling, Theology and am currently completing a Master of Social and Organisational Leadership through Charles Sturt. In 2017 I was ordained an Anglican Priest and spent 5 years in parish ministry. I am currently working in the field of Homelessness as a Residential Program Manager at an inner-city homeless men’s accommodation centre in Surry Hills, Sydney. As a person with lived experience, I continue to be filled with anxiety every time I apply for a job due to the inevitable history check leading to uncomfortable conversations. Just last year, I had a job offer rescinded because of my record. This was despite assurances at the interview that it would not be an issue. I am passionate about Social Justice and engaging in conversations about the reality of prison life, addiction, and recovery. I am a survivor. Married to Belinda, I have 5 sons, 2 stepdaughters, 3 grandchildren, 3 cats, 2 dogs and a love for lists! In my downtime I love listening to true crime, history and science podcasts, singing and having a red hot crack at standup comedy.