Celebrating 20 years of volunteering at Gunnedah Salvos Stores
- deansimpson7
- 6 hours ago
- 2 min read
Today is International Volunteer Day. The Salvation Army has more than 20,000 volunteers across Australia who connect with people, support our mission and bring compassion and hope where it’s needed most. One of them is Tanya, who has been volunteering for The Salvation Army at Gunnedah Salvos Stores in north-west NSW for the past two decades.
BY LAUREN MARTIN
Twenty years ago, Tanya’s job-service provider recommended she try volunteering to fulfil her Newstart requirements. So, she contacted her local Salvation Army in Gunnedah, joined the Family Store team and hasn’t missed a week since.
Tanya has seen two location changes, four store managers, and a merger from the Family Store to the now Salvos Store, but every Monday, Tuesday and Thursday she faithfully volunteers, taking it all in her stride.
Gunnedah Corps and Community Leader Peter Hall says seeing Tanya’s familiar face and smile when he walks into the local Salvos Store every week is reassuring.
“She is a stalwart for us at The Salvation Army. She has gifted to us a lot of time and talent, and we really appreciate that.”
Tanya says she enjoys working out the back, sorting donations and tagging clothes: “I like working here and all the people I work with. And coming in gives me things to do in my day.”
Tanya sorts clothes at Salvos Stores Gunnedah. (Centre photo): Tanya being honoured with a luncheon to mark her 20th year volunteering for The Salvation Army.
Store manager Nic Williams says Tanya’s caring nature is a blessing for all the staff and volunteers in the store: “She cares for everybody and she’s so friendly – you can’t help but fall in love with her. And she takes so much pride in her work.”
Employees and volunteers honoured Tanya this week with a celebration luncheon to mark her 20 years of volunteering. “We had a lot of people who weren’t even working yesterday coming and helping us celebrate,” said Nic.
Tanya said she was honoured to receive a Salvation Army 20-year volunteer pin and a lifetime Salvos Stores discount!
“They gave me a bunch of flowers, and I got a few letters from people [in management] at The Salvation Army – one had a gold badge that says ‘20 years’ on it.”
She will wear it with pride and says she’s not planning on retiring anytime soon!
For more infomation on International Volunteer Day, go to
Volunteering Australia here
UN Volunteers here
MySalvos here
Celebrating our volunteers
Volunteers are at the heart of our mission. They bring hope, dignity and belonging to people in need, reminding us all that everyone matters. At The Salvation Army, we’re proud to recognise and celebrate the extraordinary impact volunteers have across our movement. Their dedication and compassion inspire us every day and strengthen our mission. To mark this occasion, Territorial Commander Commissioner Miriam Gluyas shares a short video reflecting on the extraordinary impact of our volunteers and the love that compels them to serve.
