Catering trucks, new volunteers boost SA emergency services
- kirranicolle
- Oct 6
- 3 min read
BY KIRRALEE NICOLLE
A new catering truck named in honour of the founder of The Salvation Army Emergency Services (SAES) in South Australia has been unveiled.
The unveiling ceremony was held on 20 September in Pooraka, Adelaide, where the state SAES team is based.
The new truck, Dunkley, is named after John Dunkley, a volunteer who worked to establish the SAES in the state, and organised the procurement of the first catering truck. John was in attendance at the unveiling event.
“I was honoured to attend and speak at the unveiling of Dunkley, The Salvation Army Emergency Services’ new mobile kitchen,” said local MP John Fulbrook, Member for Playford.
“This will be invaluable in further sustaining our volunteers from the South Australia SES and South Australia Country Fire Service whenever disasters strike.”
‘Old’ truck handover The event also marked the official handover ceremony of the previous truck, William, named after Salvation Army founder William Booth, which will now be transferred to Port Lincoln Salvation Army to support not just the SAES in the region, but also be used as a ministry tool to feed those in the Port Lincoln and Eyre Peninsula communities.
Port Lincoln Ministry Assistant Neal Smith said in a Facebook post that thinking about what this truck would mean to his corps had led him to reflect on the heart of his corps’ new truck’s namesake, William Booth.
“His mission was simple yet profound: to bring people to Christ by showing love, offering care, and providing food and comfort to those in need,” Neal wrote.
“It is fitting, then, that this truck has been named William. In its semi-retirement in Port Lincoln, William will not only continue the spirit of its namesake but will also help fulfil the mission of The Salvation Army in our community: to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and meet human needs in His name, without discrimination.
“Wherever there is hardship or injustice, the Salvos seek to live, love, and fight alongside others – to transform Australia one life at a time with the love of Jesus. The work of SAES, in disaster relief and recovery, flows directly from this mission. And William will carry it forward faithfully, serving as both a tool and a symbol of hope.
“May William be a constant reminder of love in action, and may every meal prepared and every hand helped through its service reflect the heart of Jesus Christ.”
Port Lincoln welcomes ‘William’
The Port Lincoln Corps celebrated the unveiling of ‘William’ on 27 September in a special ceremony at the corps.
The event was attended by dignitaries including Sam Telfer (MP for Flinders), Diana Mislov (Mayor, City of Port Lincoln), Robyn Rowsell (Deputy Mayor), the SA Metropolitan Fire Service, SA Country Fire Service, Ambulance SA and other elected councillors and volunteer groups. In attendance were also SA/NT Divisional Commander Major Paul Hateley and Area Officer Major Wendy Hateley.
The day prior, 30 new SAES volunteers were also welcomed at an event conducted by SAES SA Coordinator Major Reno Elms.
The teams are very grateful for the support of Woolworths Management in obtaining the vehicle.
